Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issued for the purpose of employment in the case of qualified employment as a skilled worker with vocational training

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 online. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic applications for residence permits.
• If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration 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 Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration 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 Foreigners' Registration 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.

Please contact the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

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

You own:

• qualified vocational training in Germany or
• an equivalent foreign professional qualification
• a qualification that enables you to pursue the qualified occupation. This means that in principle you can also work in a related occupation if there is a connection between the training you have completed and your intended occupation (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 per cent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for general pension insurance. 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 31 December 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 required, you have a licence to practise the profession.

Note: You can cover your living expenses and health insurance from your income without claiming public benefits.

• Valid passport
• Current biometric photo
• Original of your employment contract or a binding job offer (please use the standardised nationwide employment declaration form)
• 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 licence
• If required: professional licence
• Proof of your health insurance
• Current registration certificate
• Rental agreement
   

In addition, if you have recently entered the country:

• Visa, if this was required for entry

and in the case of a prior stay:

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

§ Section 18 Residence Act (AufenthG)

§ Section 18a Residence Act (AufenthG)

§ Section 39 Residence Act (AufenthG)

• Residence Act

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardised nationwide)
• You can obtain further authority-specific forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online
• Online procedure possible: Occasionally
• Written form required: Yes
• Personal appearance required: Yes

• Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issued for the purpose of employment in the case of qualified employment as a skilled worker with vocational training
• Foreigners who have a German or equivalent foreign qualified vocational qualification can obtain a residence permit for qualified employment.
• The Federal Employment Agency must approve the granting of the residence permit.
• The residence permit is issued for a limited period. The period of validity depends on the employment contract or 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.
• Holders of a residence permit for qualified employment can receive a settlement permit after fulfilling certain requirements
• Spouses of holders of a residence permit for qualified employment are also entitled to a residence permit.
• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, you can apply online or in person.
• A fee is payable for the issue of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence;