Apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with an academic qualification
Source: BUS Rheinland-PfalzA residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with an academic qualification gives you access to the labor market in Germany. It can only be applied for in person at your local immigration office. Spouses of holders of a residence permit for qualified employment are also entitled to a residence permit.
You can apply for a residence permit if you have a university degree. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognized or be comparable to a German university degree. You can apply for recognition or assessment of comparability before you arrive in Germany.
You must also present an employment contract or a binding job offer. From the age of 45, you must provide proof of a certain minimum salary. The minimum gross salary is set annually and amounts to EUR 45,540 in 2020. Even if you do not reach this minimum salary, you can obtain a residence permit for qualified employment if you provide proof of adequate pension provision or in special cases. A special case may be that there is a public interest in the employment.
The Federal Employment Agency checks whether the working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees and whether a domestic employment relationship exists.
The residence permit is a temporary residence title. It is issued for 4 years for permanent employment relationships and can be extended. If the duration of your employment relationship is less than 4 years, the residence permit will be issued for the duration of your employment contract.
As the holder of a residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with a university degree, you can also obtain a settlement permit under certain conditions. This entitles you to permanent residence.
Exception: As a citizen of an EU country, you have access to the labor market due to your right to freedom of movement and do not require a residence permit. You can be self-employed or employed in Germany under the right of establishment or freedom of movement for workers. This also applies to nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Note: If you are highly qualified, you may also be eligible for an "EU Blue Card" as a residence permit. Other requirements apply here, including a minimum salary regardless of age.