If you have extensive practical professional experience, you may be eligible for a residence permit to work in the field of information and communication technology (the IT sector).

To qualify, you must have worked in the IT sector for at least three of the past seven years and, as a result, have acquired extensive skills and knowledge related to your work. In addition, the issuance of such a residence permit requires that you have an employment contract or a concrete job offer with a specified minimum salary.

You are not required to have completed a vocational training program or a degree program. Nor is recognition of qualifications obtained abroad required. It may be helpful if, in addition to your several years of professional experience, you can demonstrate relevant theoretical knowledge (e.g., through certificates or transcripts).

Before the residence permit is issued, the Federal Employment Agency must approve the employment. The agency also reviews whether certain requirements can be waived. The Federal Employment Agency grants its approval for a maximum of 4 years.

The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on your employment contract or the duration of the Federal Employment Agency’s approval.

Under certain circumstances, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit. 

If you are an employer and wish to hire an IT specialist from abroad, you can apply to the Foreigners’ Registration Office—on behalf of the foreign national—for the expedited skilled worker procedure, which is designed to facilitate and accelerate the entry of skilled workers.

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and—if required for entry—an appropriate visa.
• There are no grounds for your deportation.
• Your stay does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have worked in the IT sector for at least three years within the last seven years.
• You have an employment contract or a binding job offer in the field of information and communication technology.
• Your salary will amount to at least 60% of the contribution assessment ceiling for the pension insurance system. In 2020, 60% corresponds to a minimum gross salary of 4,140 EUR per month or 49,680 EUR per year (This limit applies to the entire territory of Germany). The amount of the contribution assessment ceiling is announced each year by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Home Affairs in the Federal Gazette by December 31 of the previous year (see further information).
• You are able to support yourself and maintain your health insurance coverage independently without relying on public benefits.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German. This corresponds to language level B1. In individual cases, the requirement for German language proficiency may be waived. If you wish to be exempted from this requirement in your case, you must apply for it and provide justification.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved your employment (approval is typically obtained from the Foreigners’ Registration Office). For approval to be granted, your working conditions (particularly your salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

You must apply for a residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. The process is as follows:

• Depending on the Foreigners’ Registration Office and the nature of your request, it may be possible to apply online. Check whether your Foreigners’ Registration Office offers the option to apply for a residence permit electronically.
• If you can only apply in person, schedule an appointment with the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
  During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be reviewed (be sure to bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken to issue an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If you submit your application online, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to schedule an appointment at the office, if necessary. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be reviewed (please bring them with you to the appointment), and your fingerprints will be taken to issue 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 pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
• The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.

Fees are charged for the issuance of the residence permit. The timing and method of payment vary depending on the agency.

• Federal Government Portal for Foreign Skilled
  Workers https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/ueber-das-portal/kontakt/hotline/
• Information on residency for skilled workers without vocational or academic training—including IT specialists without formal qualifications—on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (in German):  https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/FachkraefteOhneAusbildung/fachkraefte-ohne-ausbildung-node.html
• Information on residency for skilled workers without vocational or academic training—including IT specialists without formal qualifications—on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (English):
  https://www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/FachkraefteOhneAusbildung/fachkraefte-ohne-ausbildung-node.html
• This link will take you to the annual announcements by the Federal Ministry of the Interior regarding the required minimum salary for a residence permit for IT professionals without formal qualifications: Open the Federal Gazette website and enter the words “Announcement regarding Section 6 of the Employment Regulation” in the search bar there.
• You can also receive free advice on entry, residence, and employment from the “Working and Living in Germany Hotline” on the Federal Government’s portal for skilled workers from abroad.
  Phone: 030 1815-1111
  Service hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Section 19c(2) of the Residence Act

Section 42(1)(2) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

§ 6 of the Employment Regulation (BeschV)

• File an appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office within one month of its notification.
• File a lawsuit with the court specified in the appeal decision if the appeal is denied.

• You should apply for a residence permit no later than eight weeks before your current visa or residence permit expires.
• The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on the term of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Appeal period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks

The immigration office with jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence;

For the expedited skilled worker procedure:

The immigration office in the location of the business premises where the foreign national is to be employed, provided that no central office has been established to administer the procedure

• Valid passport
• Proof of at least three years of professional experience within the last seven years
• If available, additional proof of your theoretical knowledge (e.g., certificates)
• Your language certificate at Level B1
• Original copy of your employment contract or a binding job offer stating your salary (please use the standard federal form “Declaration of Employment Status” for this purpose)
• A recent biometric photo
• Current certificate of residence
• Proof of health insurance
• Rental agreement
•  
• In addition
• if you entered the country recently:
• Visa, if required for entry
•  
• and, in the case of a previous stay:
• Current residence permit or other proof of the right of residence (e.g., temporary residence permit, tolerance status)
• Additional documents are required for the employer to carry out the expedited skilled worker procedure. Please contact the relevant immigration office for this purpose

Issuance of a residence permit: EUR 100.00

Amendment of an existing residence permit to obtain a residence permit for the purpose of employment based on extensive professional experience (change of purpose): EUR 98.00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or exemption may be granted.

Note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit. The fee for reissuing the card is EUR 67.00

• Forms: Declaration of Employment (standardized nationwide); additional agency-specific forms are available from your Foreigners’ Registration Office; in some cases, these are also available online
• Online procedures available: in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• In-person appearance required: yes