Granting a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

You can obtain a residence permit for skilled workers with vocational training if you have completed qualified vocational training in Germany. Qualified vocational training exists if you have completed vocational training in a state-recognized or comparably regulated training occupation. The training must have lasted at least two years. If you have completed your vocational training abroad, the equivalence of your qualification with the German qualified vocational training must be determined by the competent recognition body (e.g. the Chamber of Industry or Commerce).

The Federal Employment Agency must give its approval before the residence permit is issued. The Federal Employment Agency will check whether your working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees, whether you are in employment for which your qualifications qualify you and whether you are employed in Germany.

If the residence permit is granted, it will be limited in time. The validity depends on your employment contract or the period of validity of the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. In the case of permanent employment contracts, the residence permit for skilled workers is issued for a period of four years.

You must apply for a residence permit at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for a residence permit.
If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
In the case of an electronic application, the Immigration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Immigration Office if necessary. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be issued.
After about six to eight weeks, you can collect the eAT card from the immigration office.
The eAT card must always be collected in person.
Fees are charged for the issue of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and - if required for entry - an appropriate visa.
There is no interest in deporting you.
Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
You have

qualified vocational training in Germany or
an equivalent foreign professional qualification

You have a qualification that enables you to carry out qualified employment. This means that, in principle, you can also work in a related profession if there is a connection between the training you have completed and the intended activity (e.g. a baker can also work as a confectioner).
You have a job or a job offer
If you have reached the age of 45, you must provide proof of an employment contract or a binding job offer with a certain minimum salary. The minimum salary must reach 55 percent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling in the general pension insurance scheme. This results in a minimum salary for 2020 of 45,540 euros per year. Even if this minimum salary is not reached, a residence permit can be issued upon presentation of proof of adequate pension provision or in special cases (e.g. if there is a public interest in the employment).
The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community publishes the amount of the contribution assessment ceiling for each year in the Federal Gazette by December 31 of the previous year.
The Federal Employment Agency has approved the commencement of employment (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authority). For approval to be granted, your working conditions (in particular salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.
If necessary, you must have a license to practice your profession.
You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your income without claiming public benefits.

Valid passport
Current biometric photo
Original of your employment contract or a binding offer of employment (please use the nationwide standardized form Declaration of Employment )
Original of the certificate of successfully completed vocational training
If available, notification of the equivalence of the foreign professional qualification with a domestic qualified professional qualification
For regulated professions: Your professional license
If required: license to practice the profession
Proof of your health insurance
Current registration certificate
Tenancy agreement

In addition If you have recently entered the country:

Visa, if this was required for entry

and in the case of a previous stay:

Current residence permit or other certificate of right of residence (e.g. residence permit, toleration)

Granting a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker

Process flow

Who should I contact?

Competent authority

Requirements

Which documents are required?

What are the fees?

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Processing duration

Legal basis

Appeal

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