Accelerated skilled worker procedure; application

Employers can apply for an accelerated skilled worker procedure at the local foreigners authority or at the Central Office for the Immigration of Skilled Workers (ZSEF) with a power of attorney from the skilled worker. A significant advantage that the accelerated skilled worker procedure brings for both the employer and the skilled worker is shortened deadlines, both in the procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications and for the approval of the Federal Employment Agency, as well as for the foreign mission.

Group of beneficiaries

The accelerated skilled worker procedure is applicable to stays for employment as a skilled worker as well as for all residence purposes pursuant to Section 81a (1) and (5) of the Residence Act (AufenthG). This also applies to stays for vocational training as well as for the implementation of measures for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. Family members (spouses, minor children) who enter the country at the same time are also covered. The details can be clarified with the responsible foreigners authority (ZSEF or district administrative authority). In addition, the website of the ZSEF contains detailed information on the beneficiary group of persons (see under "Further links").

The basis of the accelerated skilled worker procedure is an agreement between the employer and the foreigners authority (ZSEF or local foreigners authority). The agreement includes, among other things, authorizations, contact persons, description of procedures and deadlines, obligations of the employer and the skilled worker to cooperate and provide information, and evidence to be submitted.

• The skilled worker must be named.
• There is a concrete job / training position offer.
• The skilled worker wants to enter for one of the above-mentioned purposes of residence.
• The skilled worker is in his country of origin or lawfully in a third country from which he is subject to visa requirements.
• The authorization of the employer by the skilled worker is present.
• There is no entry and residence ban.
• The skilled worker may have sufficient language skills (eg for the stay for qualification measures).

The accelerated skilled worker procedure does not involve an administrative procedure. The foreigners authority acts as a central procedural intermediary within the framework of the accelerated skilled worker procedure.

If all requirements are met, the Foreigners Authority/Central Office issues a so-called preliminary approval, which it sends to the employer for forwarding to the skilled worker. The latter then books an appointment with the foreign mission to apply for the visa. As a rule, the diplomatic mission abroad will make an appointment for the visa application within three weeks after the preliminary approval has been submitted. At this appointment, the original of the pre-consent must be presented with other documents necessary for the visa application.

Contact for visa/stay: Generally, the German missions abroad in the country of origin are responsible for issuing the necessary visa.

• The following documents are required for signing the agreement on the accelerated procedure for skilled workers in accordance with Section 81a of the Residence Act (AufenthG):
  
  • Identity of the professional
    • Color copy of the name page of the recognized and valid passport or passport replacement of the professional
    • Certification of the right of residence in another EU member state of the professional as a color copy, in case of current residence in another EU member state
    .
  • Authorization / sub-authorization.
    • Signed power of attorney of the skilled worker for the employer to carry out an accelerated skilled worker procedure
    • Sub-authorization to the authorized person of the employer for the accelerated skilled worker procedure (power of representation)
    .
  • For the conclusion of the agreement.
    • complete contact details of the skilled worker abroad
    • contact details of the contact person of the employer including a deputy
    • if applicable, contact details of the contact person of the sub-authorized person including a deputy
    • money in the amount of the due fee of 411.00 euros.

  Documents to be submitted may vary greatly depending on the purpose of stay, please contact your local immigration office or the Central Service for the Immigration of Skilled Workers (ZSEF)

  .

The fee for the accelerated specialist procedure at the Foreigners' Registration Office is 411.00 euros, regardless of success.

In addition, there is a visa fee of 75.00 euros as well as fees for the recognition of qualifications.