Accelerated skilled worker procedure; application

Employers can apply for an accelerated skilled worker procedure at the local immigration authority or at the Central Office for the Immigration of Skilled Workers (ZSEF) with a power of attorney from the skilled worker. A major advantage of the accelerated skilled worker procedure for employers and skilled workers is that it shortens deadlines, both for procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications and for the approval of the Federal Employment Agency and the diplomatic mission abroad.

Beneficiaries

The accelerated procedure for skilled workers applies to stays for all purposes of residence:

• Initial and further training in Germany (Section 16a AufenthG)
• Residence for the purpose of carrying out qualification measures for the recognition of foreign vocational training (Sec. 16d AufenthG)
• Skilled workers (§§ 18a, 18b AufenthG)
• Highly qualified skilled workers (Sec. 18c (3) AufenthG)
• Researchers (§ 18d AufenthG)
• Employment as a manager, executive or specialist (Sec. 19c (1) AufenthG in conjunction with Sec. 3 BeschV)
• Employment as a researcher or teacher (Sec. 19c (1) AufenthG in conjunction with Sec. 5 BeschV)
• Temporary practical work in the context of recognition of a foreign professional qualification outside of Section 16d AufenthG (Section 19c (1) AufenthG in conjunction with Section 8 (3) BeschV)
• "Quasi-skilled workers" with extensive professional experience (Sec. 19c (2) AufenthG in conjunction with Sec. 6 BeschV)
• Employment in justified individual cases of public interest (Sec. 19c (3) AufenthG)
• Civil servants (Sec. 19c (4) Sentence 1 AufenthG)

Family members (spouses, minor children) who enter the country at the same time are also covered. The details can be clarified with the responsible immigration authority (ZSEF or district administrative authority). The ZSEF website also contains detailed information on the group of beneficiaries (see "Further links").

The accelerated skilled worker procedure is based on an agreement between the employer and the immigration authority (Central Office for the Immigration of Skilled Workers or local immigration authority). The agreement contains, among other things, authorizations, contact persons, a description of the procedures and deadlines, obligations to cooperate and provide information on the part of the employer and the skilled worker as well as evidence to be submitted.

Innovations for professions in the healthcare sector ("fast lane")

As part of the "fast lane", the recognition procedures for nurses have been centralized at the State Office for Nursing (LfP ) and the accelerated specialist procedures for nurses at the Central Office for the Immigration of Skilled Workers since 1 July 2023. As part of the fast-track skilled worker procedure, the "fast lane" concerns applications from nurses who already have a corresponding foreign professional qualification and therefore require recognition by the LfP.

The general "fast lane" has been implemented since July 1, 2025: The ZSEF is now solely responsible for entry under the accelerated skilled worker procedure in healthcare and licensing professions. One focus of the implementation of the general "fast lane" continues to be the centralization of recognition procedures for foreign professional qualifications in the healthcare professions (e.g. physiotherapist, emergency paramedic, midwife) also at the LfP and in the licensing professions (e.g. doctor, dentist) at the Government of Upper Bavaria (Central Recognition Office for Licensing Professions in Bavaria - ZAABY).

• The specialist must be named.
• There is a concrete offer of employment/training.
• The skilled worker wishes to enter the country for one of the above-mentioned purposes of residence.
• The skilled worker is staying in their country of origin or legally in a third country from which they require a visa.
• The skilled worker has the authorization of the employer.
• There is no ban on entry and residence.
• If applicable, the skilled worker has sufficient language skills (e.g. for the stay for qualification measures).

The accelerated procedure for skilled workers does not include an administrative procedure. The Immigration Office acts as a central mediator in the accelerated procedure for skilled workers.

If all requirements are met, the Immigration Office/Central Office for the Immigration of Skilled Workers 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 diplomatic mission abroad to apply for the visa.

As a rule, the diplomatic mission abroad will make an appointment for the visa application within three weeks of receiving the preliminary approval. At this appointment, the original of the preliminary approval must be presented together with other documents required for the visa application.

Contact for visa/residence: In principle, the German diplomatic missions in the country of origin are responsible for issuing the necessary visa.

Once the complete visa application has been submitted by the skilled worker, a decision is usually made within a further three weeks.

• The following documents are required to sign the agreement on the accelerated skilled worker procedure:
  
  • Identity of the professional
    • Color copy of the name page of the recognized and valid passport or passport replacement of the skilled worker
    • Certificate of 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
  • Power of attorney / sub-authorization
    • Signed authorization 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
    • Full contact details of the skilled worker abroad
    • Contact details of the employer's contact person including a deputy
    • If applicable, contact details of the contact person of the sub-authorized representative including a deputy
    • Funds in the amount of the fee due of EUR 411.00.

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

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

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