Residence permit – recognition of qualifications

Description

You would like to have your foreign professional qualification fully recognised? Do you come from a third country that is not part of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland? Then you need a residence permit to be able to carry out a qualification measure.

Qualification measures include, for example, training courses in a company, technical training courses, preparatory courses for an examination or occupation-related German courses.

Period of validity
The period of validity of the residence permit depends on the purpose of the stay. If the purpose is to recognise an unregulated profession, the residence permit is issued for two years. In the case of recognition of a regulated or other profession, the period of validity is one year, but can be extended to up to three years.

Visa procedure
Before entering Germany, you must apply for a visa at the German mission abroad (embassy or consulate). Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the USA or the United Kingdom may also enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit before starting their qualification measures.

After entry
After your arrival in Germany, the first thing you have to do is register your residence.

Application and appointment
To apply for a residence permit for the purpose of a qualification measure to recognise your professional qualification, please send us the application form and the required documents either via the contact form or by post. After reviewing your documents, we will arrange an appointment for a personal interview. Please note that the application must be submitted before your visa or residence title expires. If you are able to enter Germany without a visa, you must apply for the residence title at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of your entry.

Prerequisites

• You have applied for recognition of your professional qualification and in the decision the competent recognition body in Germany has determined that you still lack theoretical and/or practical skills to obtain full recognition of your qualification.
• You have successfully registered for a suitable qualification measure or have received a further training plan from the company.
• You have German language skills at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the German language skills required for the qualification measure.
• You can prove that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay.
  
  

Required documents

• fully completed application form
• valid passport or passport replacement
• a biometric passport photo (photo machines can also be found at the Foreigners Office)
• valid visa for entry for the purpose of recognition of vocational training (if required)
• Proof of health insurance (insurance card or a membership certificate of a statutory health insurance or insurance policy of a private health insurance). Persons with private health insurance must pay attention to the type and scope of their health insurance. Travel health insurance is not sufficient.
• Proof of means of subsistence. Proof can be provided by your remuneration during the qualification measure, the opening of a blocked account with at least 1,027 euros per month (year 2023) or a declaration of commitment.
  
• Certificate of at least sufficient German language skills (A2) of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages or of the German language skills required for the qualification measure
• Certificate of completion of foreign training, if applicable with German translation
• Certificate of recognition with references to deficits identified in the recognition procedure
• Proof of suitable qualification measure or further training plan of the company

In the case of a predominantly company-based qualification measure (if applicable, with employment as a skilled worker in a non-regulated occupation)

• Employment contract (if required)
• Declaration on employment relationship (if required)
• Proof in the further training plan and/or in the employment contract of the company's assurance to guarantee the post-qualification

Note
The requirements may vary due to intergovernmental agreements and special agreements. Further documents may be required in individual cases.