Apply for a settlement permit for highly qualified persons

  • Service description

    Professionally or academically highly qualified foreign nationals can, in special cases, receive a permanent settlement permit immediately following the visa.

    Note: Your husband or wife or your partner and your children under the age of 18 have a right to family reunification. They may also be gainfully employed.

  • Procedure

    Before travelling to Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country.

    After entering Germany, you must apply for a settlement permit in writing to the immigration authority before your visa expires.

  • Prerequisites

    The requirements for a settlement permit are

    • You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
      To fulfil the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement identity document.
    • Your livelihood is secured without you drawing on public funds.
      Your livelihood is considered secure if you
      • Income in the amount of the basic social assistance rate (e.g. 391.00 euros for single persons) plus
      • Costs for accommodation and heating and
      • any health insurance contributions.
    • There are no grounds for deportation against you.
    • Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
    • They belong to the following groups of people:
      • Scientists with special expertise
      • Teaching staff or academic staff in a prominent position
    • Their integration into the living conditions of the Federal Republic of Germany is assured.

  • Which documents are required?

    Proof

    • the fulfilment of passport and visa requirements
    • that your livelihood is secure and that your integration into the living conditions of the Federal Republic of Germany is assured (usually by submitting a job offer)
    • the professional or scientific qualification

  • What fees are incurred?

    The fee for issuing the licence is €147 (half is payable when the application is submitted).

  • Processing time

    4 - 6 weeks

  • Legal basis

  • What else should I know?

    You will receive the settlement permit in the form of a cheque card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this under "Applying for an electronic residence permit (eAT)".

    Nationals of European Union (EU) member states have access to the German labour market due to their right to freedom of movement. They can be self-employed in Germany within the scope of their right of establishment. The same applies to other nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals.

    Transitional regulations for the free movement of workers and freedom to provide services apply to Croatian nationals. They must obtain a work permit from the employment agency before taking up employment.

    If you do not fulfil the academic or professional requirements, you may be able to obtain the following residence permits after entering the country:

    • Residence permit for the purpose of employment
    • Residence permit for the purpose of exercising a self-employed activity

    You can clarify your choice of residence permit during the visa procedure.

  • Typing

    3b

  • Library entry status

    5

Who should I contact?

  • For the issue of a national visa before entering Germany: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
    Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of German missions abroad on its website.
  • after entry: the foreigners authority in whose district you usually reside. Foreigners authorities in Hesse are the district councils and mayors of the independent towns and towns belonging to districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants

Responsible departments