Applying for residence for the purpose of employment

  • Service description

    Are you a foreign national and would like to work in Germany? Then you need

    • a residence permit for the purpose of employment and previously
    • in most cases a national visa to enter Germany.

    Exception: Citizens of EU member states have access to the labour market due to their right to freedom of movement. They can be self-employed or employed in Germany under the right of establishment or freedom of movement for workers. This also applies to other nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals.

    Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States of America can also obtain the required residence permit after entering the country. The foreigners authority of the place where the foreigner will take up residence in Germany is responsible.

    The residence permit for the purpose of employment is limited in time. You can apply to have it extended.

  • Procedure

    Before travelling to Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country. The representation of the Federal Republic of Germany will involve the relevant immigration authority. In the visa procedure, you must provide information about your job in Germany. This enables the authority to check whether the Federal Employment Agency has to approve your employment.

    After entering Germany, you must apply for a residence permit in writing at the immigration office before your visa expires. Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the city administration or the district office.

    Note: The Foreigners' Registration Office will obtain the approval of the Federal Employment Agency if this is required.

    Please note that you must submit an extension application to the Aliens' Registration Office before your residence permit expires.

    Since 01.09.2011, you will receive the residence 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)".

  • Prerequisites

    The requirements for a residence 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 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 fulfil the factual and personal requirements for labour migration.
    • You have a job or a concrete job offer.
    • The Federal Employment Agency agrees to issue the residence permit.

    Please note: You will only receive a residence permit if you have a concrete job offer. Your admission will depend on the requirements of Germany as a business location and the conditions on the labour market. In certain professions or for nationals of certain countries, authorisation for employment is at the discretion of the authorities. In justified individual cases, authorisation may be granted if there is a public interest in the employment.

    Both new arrivals and third-country nationals who already have their place of residence or habitual abode in Germany generally require the approval of the Central Employment Service of the Job Agency to take up employment in Germany. This is obtained in an internal procedure by the responsible immigration authority. It is therefore only necessary to submit an application to the relevant immigration authority.

    Consent is generally granted if

    • a legal provision grants access to the German labour market,
    • there are no negative effects on the labour market as a result of the employment,
    • preferred employees (Germans, EU citizens, citizens from EEA states) are not available (so-called priority check),
    • the foreign nationals are not employed under less favourable working conditions than comparable German employees.

    The authorisation may be subject to restrictions regarding the professional activity, the employer, the district of the employment agency, the location and the distribution of working hours, which can be taken from the residence permit.

    According to the new Integration Act, the priority check for asylum seekers and tolerated persons will be suspended for a limited period of three years, thus also allowing them to work in temporary employment. In order to avoid possible negative effects in regions with a tight labour market situation, the federal states themselves are to determine in which employment agency districts the regulation will apply.

  • Which documents are required?

    • Proof of fulfilment of passport and visa requirements
    • Proof of secure livelihood
    • Proof that you fulfil the factual and personal requirements for labour migration
    • Proof of employment or job offer
    • Proof that there are no grounds for deportation against you
    • Proof that you do not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany

  • What fees are incurred?

    • Issue: 100,00 Euro
    • Extension up to 3 months: 96,00 Euro
    • Extension of more than 3 months: 93,00 Euro

  • Processing time

    4 - 6 weeks

  • Legal basis

  • What else should I know?

    • Your husband or wife and children who have not yet reached the age of majority have a right to family reunification. They may also be gainfully employed.
    • In special cases, highly qualified persons can receive a settlement permit immediately after entering the country.
    • If you want to be self-employed, you can obtain a residence permit under certain conditions.

  • Typing

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Who should I contact?

  • For the issue of a national visa before entering Germany: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
  • 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

Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of German missions abroad on its website.

Responsible departments