Work

Visa and residence for skilled workers (skilled immigration)

Skilled workers with a recognised vocational or academic qualification can apply for an employment visa at the German mission abroad; after entry the immigration office issues the residence permit.

Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

People who want to come to Germany for qualified work usually need a national visa first, and later a residence permit for employment. The exact route depends on nationality, qualification, and the kind of job offer they have. 1 2 3 4 5

Who needs this

If you are a non-EU national and want to take up employment in Germany, you usually need a visa for a longer stay before entry. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States can also obtain the required residence permit after entry. 2 4 5
For many employment cases, the stay is tied to a concrete job offer or employment contract. 1 3 4 5
For academic specialists, Germany grants a residence permit for qualified employment if the foreign or German university degree is recognized or comparable. 3 5
The Blue Card EU (Blaue Karte EU) is available for academics with a recognized university degree and a concrete job offer; the general salary threshold named by the Foreign Office is 56,800 euros gross per year, or 44,304 euros for mathematicians, IT specialists, scientists, engineers, and doctors if they earn the same as German workers in the same position. 1

Step by step

Check whether you need a visa before entering Germany. Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States can also obtain the required residence permit after entry. 2 5
If you need a visa, apply at the competent German mission abroad before entry. The visa procedure usually needs approval from the local foreigners authority in Germany. 2
After arrival, register your address where required and submit the residence permit application before your visa or current title expires. In München, visafree entrants must apply within 90 days of entry. 5
For academic specialists, the employment must be in Germany and usually requires approval from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), unless an exception applies. 3 4 5
If your profession is regulated, you need the relevant professional licence or proof that it will be granted. 3 4 5

Documents

A valid passport or passport substitute. 3 4 5
A valid visa for taking up work, if required. 4 5
A job offer or employment contract; for some procedures, at least a draft is sufficient. 3 4 5
Proof of qualification, such as a university degree, an anabin printout showing H+ status, or a ZAB certificate/assessment where required. 3 5
Proof of health insurance. 3 4
For regulated professions, proof of professional practice permission. 3 4 5
In Köln, two current passport photos are listed. 4
In München, the documents include a biometric photo and, for some first applications, the employment declaration form (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis). 5

Cost and time

In Berlin, the fee for the first residence permit as an electronic residence permit (eAT) is 100 euros; the extension is 93 euros. For Turkish nationals, the fees are 46 euros or 27.60 euros depending on age. 3
In München, the fee range is 100 euros for first issue and 93 euros for extension; for Turkish nationals, 46 euros or 27.60 euros depending on age. 5
In Berlin, the eAT takes 4 to 6 weeks after the appointment. 3
In München, processing can take up to 7 months. 5
In the visa procedure, if approval from the foreigners authority is needed, the process can take up to three months, sometimes longer. 2

Deadlines

For visa-required applicants, the long-stay visa must generally be applied for before entry. 2
In Berlin, the residence permit application is possible at the earliest 4 months before the expiry of the national D visa or current employment title. 3
In München, the application must be submitted before the visa or residence title expires; visa-free entrants must apply within 90 days. 5
In Köln, the stay for employment must be tied to a work-related visa or existing residence title. 4

City by city

Berlin: The online application is called “Befristeter Aufenthaltstitel zur Beschäftigung”; the city states that the residence permit for academic specialists is issued for up to four years, or for a shorter period if the contract is shorter. 3
Köln: The application goes to the district foreigners office (Bezirksausländeramt) responsible for your district. Köln also notes that some highly qualified jobs in science, research, development, professional sports, and management do not need approval from the Federal Employment Agency. 4
München: The residence permit is handled by the Servicestelle für Zuwanderung und Einbürgerung. München states that the permit is generally valid for four years, or as long as the employment contract if it is shorter. 5