Residence permit; application for gainful employment in Germany

The following residence permits, among others, can be applied for:

• EU Blue Card
  The EU Blue Card is a special residence permit for foreign academics or persons with a comparable level of qualification who wish to take up qualified employment in Germany. Further information on this can be found in the separate description of services under "Related topics".

• Residence permit for skilled workers
  Foreigners who have completed qualified vocational training or studies (including outside Germany) and have a job offer can obtain a residence permit in accordance with Section 18a of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in Germany (Residence Act - AufenthG) or Section 18b AufenthG in order to take up qualified employment in Germany as a skilled worker.

• Residence permit for experienced professionals
  Experienced professionals with extensive practical work experience have good career opportunities in Germany if they wish to work in non-regulated professions. They can then obtain a residence permit for qualified employment in Germany. Formal recognition of your qualification in Germany is not required for this. Special facilitations apply in particular to IT professions.

• Job search opportunity card
  The opportunity card allows you to enter Germany to look for a job. It is issued if you either have a recognized specialist qualification or if you have a recognized foreign qualification and have achieved a certain minimum number of points within the framework of a points system.

• Residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications and recognition partnership
  If it is determined in a recognition procedure that the foreign qualification cannot be fully recognized, it is possible to attend qualification measures in Germany in order to acquire the missing theoretical and/or practical skills. These can be, for example, training courses in a company, specialist training courses, preparatory courses or job-related German courses. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to work alongside the qualification measure. Alternatively, under certain conditions, it is also possible to have a recognition procedure carried out after entering Germany and to work in the desired profession at the same time.

• Residence permit for researchers
  You can also apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research.

• Residence permit for self-employment
  A residence permit is required for commercial or freelance self-employment.

There are also some special regulations. The most important are

• Special regulation for nursing assistants
  The German labor market is also open to nursing assistants from third countries. This means that people who have completed nursing training that is not considered qualified vocational training or who have been recognized as such (nursing assistants) can work in nursing activities.

• Study-related internship EU
  Students from foreign universities or foreigners who have obtained a university degree in the last two years can, under certain conditions, obtain a residence permit for a study-related internship.

• Special regulation for professional drivers
  Drivers of trucks or buses who have the required driving license and the (accelerated) EU or EEA basic qualification can obtain a residence permit for their work.

• Western Balkans regulation
  Nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia have the opportunity to work in Germany within the framework of a quota, regardless of qualifications. Further information on this can be found in the separate service description under "Related topics".

• Au pair
  Au pair employment involves the temporary placement of foreign nationals between the ages of 18 and 27 in a German host family. For the foreign national, the focus is on acquiring cultural knowledge and improving German language skills. In return for imparting this knowledge, the au pair supports the host parents in looking after the minor children.

• Other specific nationals
  Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (within the meaning of Section 1(2)(6) of the Act on the General Freedom of Movement for Citizens of the European Union (Freizügigkeitsgesetz/EU - FreizügG/EU)) and the United States of America may be granted a residence permit to pursue any employment regardless of the employer's place of business.

The conditions for granting a residence permit depend largely on which specific residence permit is considered for the purpose of residence applied for. Further information on the residence permits described above can be found under "Further links". This also shows the main requirements for granting a residence permit.

Many foreigners authorities already offer an online application procedure. If an online procedure is available, it will be displayed in the BayernPortal under "Online procedure" if you have entered your place of residence under "Select location".

If your foreigners authority does not offer an online procedure, please contact the foreigners authority by e-mail or speak to them in person.

Foreign nationals who require a visa must apply for the residence permit required for further residence during the period of validity of the visa.

Foreign nationals who are exempt from the visa requirement for the specific purpose of their stay must apply for the residence permit required for a further stay immediately after entry or within 90 days at the latest.

The processing time may vary. If necessary, please enquire at the responsible foreigners authority.

• The documents to be submitted may vary considerably.
  

  Please enquire at your local immigration office. As a rule, however, the following documents are required:

  • valid passport
  • current biometric photograph (frontal view)
  • Proof of secure means of subsistence
  • Proof of sufficient living space
  • Proof of health insurance cover
  • Proof of purpose of residence, e.g. employer's certificate or employment contract, marriage certificate
  • Further documents if necessary
• The following documents may also be required:
  
  • German or foreign certificates including required translations
  • Documents relating to the intended employment relationship
  • Documents in connection with professional recognition or any compensation measures

Issue: 100 EUR

Extension up to three months: 96 EUR

Extension for more than three months: 93 EUR

Administrative court action