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Evaluation of foreign academic degrees
find detailed information on this matter. For non- regulated professions , such as computer specialist or mathematician, you do not need the recognition to work in Germany. However, if you are entering the country from a non-EU country and wish to apply for the EU Blue Card or the work visa for qualified professionals , you must provide proof of your foreign academic degree being comparable to a German one. To provide this evidence, you have the following options: Positive results in the anabin database [...] found on the ZAB website . Info box Please note that processing may take up to several months, provided that you submitted all required documents. If you decide to apply for a Statement of Comparability for foreign university degrees to get an EU Blue Card , processing takes two weeks. Please make sure to add a copy of your work contract or written confirmation of your employment position. WebTutorials for qualified professionals Webinar on the professional recognition Information on the web Federal
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Visa for research
least a PhD/doctorate or a suitable academic qualification enabling you to access PhD degree programmes ( Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2016/801 ). Tip Are you a highly qualified professional in the fields of science or research? Do you not fulfil the requirements for a research visa in accordance with Section 18d of the Residence Act (AufenthG) ? If so, the EU Blue Card could be an alternative for you. What opportunities does the visa for research offer? The visa or residence permit for research is [...] can be issued. Mobility arrangements for international researchers International researchers from non-EU member states who are legally residing in EU Member States may perform part of their research in Germany. In such cases, there are two options that allow you to stay in Germany: A residence permit for short-term research stays is not required: if you already hold a residence title from another EU Member State for the purpose of research, and you would like to stay in Germany for a maximum of 180 [...] researchers can be obtained in the " Research " section. At a glance: Visa for research From the preparations to the application forms: This step-by-step guide shows you how to get a visa for research. Download Print Explainer video: How do I get the EU Blue Card? Getting a visa, or learning German? Contact points all over the world Information on the web Federal Foreign Office (FFO) You can find out which visa you need in order to come to Germany with the Visa-Navigator. Federal Office for Migration and
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Scientists
Norway or Switzerland, you do not require a visa or a residence permit to work in Germany. Citizens of other countries do require a residence permit for this purpose. You can find more information on the work visa for qualified professionals and the EU Blue Card in the " Visa " section. Tip If finding a job position from abroad appears to be challenging, it is possible to enter Germany for up to one year after completing your studies in order to look for a job. You can find out which requirements need [...] apply for a visa for jobseekers in the " Visa for jobseekers " section. Info box Would you like to work as a scientific researcher and need a visa to work in Germany? Then you have two options. You can either apply for a visa for research or the EU Blue Card for this purpose. You should therefore check the requirements for each residence title and whether you fulfil them. Next steps ✔ Your career prospects: with our Quick-Check , you can find out about the opportunities available to you for working
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Immigration
and educated workers. Therefore, the relevance of the EU Blue Card is increasing. The numbers for issuing this residence title rose from 2,190 in 2012 to 11,768 in 2021. Additionally, in 2021, nearly 924 new residence titles were granted for self-employment and 3,434 for research . Bring your family to join you Germany welcomes children of all ages. It is easy for workers with a residence or settlement permit , especially with an EU Blue Card for Germany, to get their family to join them if their [...] n Act ( Anerkennungsgesetz ), which came into force in 2012, immigrants and anyone thinking of immigrating can have their foreign qualifications recognised in Germany. This is a necessary step for non-EU immigrants who do not have an academic degree and wish to take up employment in Germany. For EU nationals who work in a regulated profession – doctors or lawyers, for example – recognition is also a prerequisite for exercising their profession in Germany. The chances of success are high: the total [...] titles to qualified migrants Many highly qualified people come to Germany to build their future professional career. Fundamental differences exist here: nationals from EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have free access to the German labour market and do not need a residence title . However, nationals from non-EU countries require a visa . The number of third-party nationals who received a residence title in their respective capacities of qualified professional or highly skilled
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Do I need a visa?
and the purpose behind your plans to come to Germany. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland As a citizen of an EU country, you are entitled to freedom of movement and have unrestricted access to the German labour market. You do not need a visa or residence permit to enter Germany and take up employment. The same applies if you come from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland ( EFTA States ). Third-country nationals (non-EU/non-EEA countries) Entry and residence for the purpose of gainful [...] entry may also be possible. Download Print Webinar on work visas in Germany Getting a visa, or learning German? Contact points all over the world Flyers, check lists, explanatory graphics and other helpful tools Explainer video: How do I get the EU Blue Card? Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) share on Facebook share on WhatsApp mail
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Visa application forms
the place, duration and purpose of your stay. The fee for visa of any category is €75. As a general rule, you can pay the fee in your local currency to the German mission abroad . The maximum fee for a first application for a residence permit and EU Blue Card is €100. Between €113 and €147 are charged for the granting of a settlement permit . However, under certain circumstances you can get a reduction or even be exempted from the fee altogether. For example, the spouses and children of German nationals
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Physicians
Norway or Switzerland, you do not require a visa or a residence permit to work in Germany. Citizens of other countries do require a residence permit for that purpose. You can find more information on the work visa for qualified professionals and the EU Blue Card in the " Visa " section. Visa for partial recognition of qualifications Did you apply for recognition of your qualification and the certification authority in Germany determined that you require further qualifications for full recognition? Then [...] qualifications is an option for you. Visa options for doctors in research Are you a doctor wishing to work in research and require a visa to work in Germany? If so, there are two options for you: you can apply for either a visa for research or the EU Blue Card for this purpose. Check the requirements for each residence title to see whether you fulfil them. Next steps ✔ Your career prospects: with our Quick-Check , you can find out about the opportunities available to you for working and living in Germany [...] the pharmaceutical industry. Out of all academic fields in Germany, doctors earn the highest salaries. Foreign doctors in Germany 64,000 foreign doctors are working in Germany (as of 2024). About 36,000 foreign doctors working in Germany come from non-EU countries. Entry requirements for doctors If you completed your education and training as a doctor abroad, you will require an official licence ( Approbation ) in order to work in your profession in Germany. Without this licence, you may not be able
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India
in Service
Featured Stories: Visas and Entry From work, training, to job search – Germany offers a visa to suit your needs. Not sure where to start? Get an overview of the whole visa and entry process. You're all set? Apply for a Blue Card (EU) Visa. Entry for job search: The New Opportunity Card might be your gateway.
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Work visa for qualified professionals
gross annual salary of at least €53,130 (as of 2025) or you must be able to prove that you have adequate pension provision. Tip Do you have a recognised academic qualification? If so, check to see whether you meet the criteria for obtaining an EU Blue Card . This type of residence title offers particularly attractive opportunities to qualified professionals. Do you meet the above requirements? Then find out about the entry and visa proces. Info box As a rule, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) must
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Do I need to know German?
Nevertheless, if you are applying for a visa for your spouse or children to join you in Germany, you do not need to provide evidence of their language skills if you have one of the following residence permits: EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act [(AufenthG])) ICT Card and Mobile ICT Card (Sections 19, 19a AufenthG) Residence permit for skilled workers (Section 18a AufenthG or Section 18b AufenthG) Settlement permit for highly skilled workers (Section 18c para. 3(3) AufenthG) Residence permit
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