Germany skilled worker visa (§ 18a / § 18b)

A skilled worker has either a German vocational qualification or a foreign one judged equivalent by the competent recognition body (§ 18a), or a German university degree, a recognised foreign degree or one comparable to a German degree (§ 18b). Since the 2023 reform skilled workers may take any qualified job, not only one matching their training. Regulated professions such as doctors, nurses or teachers also need a licence to practise.

For a degree, check the anabin database: if both your degree and university are listed as equivalent (H+), print the entry; otherwise apply for a ZAB statement of comparability. Vocational qualifications need an equivalence decision from the competent body, which you can find through the official Recognition in Germany portal.

There is no general minimum salary below age 45; the Federal Employment Agency approves the job only if pay and conditions are not worse than for comparable domestic employees. First-time applicants aged 45 or over must earn at least EUR 55,770 gross in 2026 or prove adequate pension provision.

Your employer can authorise the foreigners authority at its location to run the accelerated skilled-worker procedure (§ 81a) for EUR 411. The authority coordinates recognition and BA approval and issues a pre-approval; the mission then offers an appointment within three weeks and usually decides within three weeks of a complete application.

The permit can be extended while the employment continues. After three years with a skilled-worker permit, or two years after graduating in Germany, you can apply for a settlement permit if you have paid 36 months of pension contributions and speak B1 German.

Spouses of skilled workers are exempt from the A1 German requirement, and spouse and children can apply together with you. Adequate living space and secured livelihood are still required.