Work visa for qualified professionals

Have you completed academic studies or qualified vocational training in Germany or abroad? You may then, under certain conditions, be eligible for a residence permit in accordance with Section 18a or Section 18b of the Residence Act [AufenthG] to take up qualified employment as a skilled worker in Germany. 

• Your qualification must be recognised in Germany or comparable to a German academic qualification. If you want to work in a regulated profession, such as a healthcare profession, you will need a licence to practise. For more information on the recognition procedure, see the “Recognition” section.
• You have a specific job offer from an employer in Germany. It is important that the job you are offered is a qualified position. This means that you will usually need an academic qualification or qualified vocational training to do the job. Auxiliary tasks will not be sufficient for this purpose.
• Your job does not have to be related to your qualification. However, you will need a licence to practise if you want to work in a regulated profession.
• Are you over the age of 45 and coming to work in Germany for the first time? In this case, the job you intend to take in Germany must enable you to earn a gross annual salary of at least €55,770 (as of 2026) or you must be able to prove that you have adequate pension provision.

Do you meet the above requirements? Then find out about the entry and visa process.

Here you find an overview of how to secure your livelihood according to the purpose of stay.

Residence permits for qualified employment are issued for a maximum of four years. If your employment contract is for a shorter period, you will be issued with a residence permit for the duration of the contract, plus an additional three months.

If you have held a residence permit for the purpose of employment for at least three years, you may, under certain circumstances, be eligible for a settlement permit. This is essentially a permanent residence title. For more information, see the “Living permanently in Germany” section.

Do you want to live in Germany with your family? This residence permit enables you to do so. To find out what you need to consider and what the requirements are, please see the “Family reunification” section.

Do you meet the necessary requirements? Then you can apply for your visa for employment online via the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office:

• For qualified professionals with a university degree
• For qualified professionals with vocational training