
At a glance: Visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications
From the preparations to the application forms: This step-by-step guide shows you how to obtain a visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.
You have not obtained full recognition of your qualifications? With the recognition visa, you can go to Germany to take the necessary steps to obtain full recognition.
Have you submitted an application for the recognition of your professional qualification? Did the competent authority for the recognition procedure in Germany determine that your qualifications cannot be fully recognised due to missing qualifications? In such cases, you can attend a qualification programme in Germany in order to acquire the missing theoretical and/or practical skills. Examples of this would be company training courses, technical training courses, preparatory courses or job-related German language classes. To take part in those programmes, you require a residence title for the recognition of foreign qualifications (Section 16d on the Residence Act - AufenthG).
To find out whether you require a visa to enter Germany, see Who Needs a Visa?
If you are looking to work in an unregulated profession, you can make up for the identified deficits by obtaining employment as a skilled worker in your intended profession (Section 16d (3) Residence Act - AufenthG). For this purpose, additional requirements must be met:
Further information regarding the recognition procedure for foreign qualifications can be found in the Recognition section.
Do you fulfil these requirements? Learn about the procedure for the entry and visa process.
After entering Germany, a residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications or for completing qualification programmes shall be issued for up to 18 months. In individual cases, this visa can be extended for up to six months (e.g. you have to re-take an exam or there are delays with the issuance of your certificate).
Working while completing your qualification programme is an option, if you would like to do so. You may work alongside a qualification programme for up to ten hours per week. If the job is connected to the professional field for which you are striving to obtain professional qualifications and you’ve received an actual job offer to start at a later date, this job can be performed without any time restrictions. In such cases, approval from the Federal Employment Agency is required.
DId you successfully complete your qualification programme and obtained full recognition of your qualifications? If so, you can stay in Germany for an additional year in order to find suitable employment in line with your recognised professional qualifications. To stay in Germany, you require a residence permit for jobseekers (Section 20 (3) no. 4 on the Residence Act - AufenthG), which you can apply for directly at your local Foreigners' Authority without having to leave the country. During this time, you can obtain any form of employment.
Have you already obtained a job, been accepted to a course of study or obtained a training position? If so, you can apply for a residence permit at your local Foreigners' Authority and stay in Germany without having to leave the country. Changing your residence title category is an option.
From the preparations to the application forms: This step-by-step guide shows you how to obtain a visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.
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