A residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with academic training gives you access to the labor market in Germany. It can only be applied for in person at your local immigration office. Spouses of holders of a residence permit for skilled employment are also entitled to a residence permit.
You can apply for a residence permit if you have a university degree. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognized or comparable to a German university degree. You can have your degree recognized or its comparability determined before you enter Germany.
You must also present an employment contract or a binding job offer. If you are 45 years of age or older, you must prove that you earn a certain minimum salary. The minimum gross salary is set annually and amounts to EUR 45,540 in 2020. Even if you do not reach this minimum salary, you can still obtain a residence permit to pursue qualified employment if you can provide proof of adequate pension provision or, in special cases. A special case may be if there is a public interest in the employment.
The Federal Employment Agency checks whether the working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees and whether a domestic employment relationship exists.
The residence permit is a temporary residence title. It is issued for 4 years for permanent employment relationships and can be extended. If the duration of your employment relationship is less than 4 years, the residence permit will be issued for the duration of your employment contract.
As the holder of a residence permit for skilled workers with a university degree, you may also be eligible for a settlement permit under certain conditions. This entitles you to permanent residence.
Exception: As a citizen of an EU country, you have access to the labor market due to your right to freedom of movement and do not need a residence permit. You can pursue self-employment or employment in Germany under the right of establishment or the free movement of workers. This also applies to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Note: If you are highly qualified, you may also be eligible for the "EU Blue Card" as a residence permit. Different requirements apply in this case, including a minimum salary regardless of age.
You must apply for your residence permit in person:
- Make an appointment with the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.
- During the appointment, your documents will be checked and your fingerprints will be taken for the electronic residence permit (eAT card). The office will send your application to the Employment Agency.
- The Employment Agency will provide feedback to the immigration office.
- If your application is approved, the immigration office will instruct the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card.
- You will receive a letter by mail informing you that your application has been approved and the eAT card is being produced, or that your application has been rejected.
- Since the eAT card is linked to an online ID function, you must pick it up in person.
- You will receive a letter informing you that you can pick up your eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
Applying for a residence permit: at least 8 weeks before your visa or residence permit expires.
Validity of your residence permit:
- as long as your employment contract, if your employment contract is valid for less than 4 years,
- 4 years if your employment contract is valid for at least 4 years or is permanent.
approximately 6 to 8 weeks
Foreigners' registration office in your city or municipality
