GermanyWork

Germany work visa for experienced professionals

Residence permit for experienced professionals (§ 19c(1) AufenthG with § 6 BeschV)

In short

Professionals whose qualification is state-recognised in their home country but not formally recognised in Germany can work in a non-regulated occupation if they have at least two years of relevant experience and earn at least EUR 45,630 a year in 2026, or work for an employer bound by a collective agreement.

Apply on Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Fee
€75National visa fee. The residence permit in Germany then costs EUR 100 (EUR 93–98 for extensions or changes); Turkish nationals covered by the EEC–Türkiye association pay the lower German ID-card fee instead.
Funds required
€45,630 per yearMinimum gross salary in 2026 for applicants under 45, not required if the employer is bound by a collective agreement; applicants aged 45 or over need EUR 55,770 or adequate pension provision.
Processing time
Appointment waiting times depend on the mission; after submission the Federal Employment Agency approval adds a few weeks. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure shortens this.
Work
The approved job with the named employer.
Family
Spouse and children can join; spouses of holders of this permit are exempt from the German language requirement.
Path to permanent residence
Settlement permit under the general rules, including 60 months of pension contributions and B1 German.
Where to apply
German mission responsible for your place of residence, or online via the Consular Services Portal for categories handled there.

Conditions

You need a foreign vocational qualification of at least two years' training or a university degree, both recognised by the state where they were obtained, and at least two years of professional experience in the last five years related to the job. A vocational qualification from a German chamber of commerce abroad also counts. The job may not be in a regulated profession such as medicine or nursing, which always requires recognition.

Salary threshold for 2026

The employer must pay at least EUR 45,630 gross a year in 2026, unless it is bound by a collective agreement and pays the agreed wage. If you are 45 or older and come for the first time, the salary must be at least EUR 55,770 or you must show adequate pension provision. The Federal Employment Agency also checks that pay and conditions match those of comparable German employees.

Procedure

The mission requests the Federal Employment Agency's approval, which checks the employment contract and working conditions. Employers can also start the accelerated skilled-worker procedure at a foreigners authority in Germany for a fee of EUR 411 to shorten waiting times.

  1. Check whether your degree or vocational qualification is recognised: university degrees via the anabin database or a ZAB statement of comparability, vocational qualifications through the competent recognition body.
  2. Book an appointment in the employment category as the German mission responsible for your place of residence instructs; for categories processed online you are directed to the Consular Services Portal to file the application and upload documents.
  3. Attend the appointment with original documents, give fingerprints and pay the EUR 75 visa fee.
  4. The mission obtains the Federal Employment Agency's approval where needed and the foreigners authority's consent; you are told when the visa can be collected.
  5. After entry, register your address within two weeks and apply for the residence permit at the foreigners authority before the visa expires.

Family

Spouses of holders of this permit can join without proving German, and children follow under the general rules. Spouses may work.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport with at least two blank pages, signed, plus copy of the data page
  • National visa application (Consular Services Portal) and Section 54 declaration
  • Biometric photo, 35 × 45 mm

Work

  • Employment contract or binding job offer with salary and duties
  • Form "Declaration of employment relationship" completed by the employer
  • Proof of at least two years of relevant experience in the last five years (employer references, social insurance records)

Study

  • Vocational or university diploma and proof that it is state-recognised in the country where it was obtained

Other

  • CV in table form covering your career

Frequently asked questions

Do I need recognition of my diploma?

Not for this route, as long as the qualification is state-recognised in the country where you obtained it and the job is not regulated.

What is the minimum salary in 2026?

EUR 45,630 gross a year, unless the employer is bound by a collective agreement; EUR 55,770 if you are 45 or older without adequate pension provision.

Can I recognise my qualification later?

Yes. Many holders start formal recognition in Germany, which can open the skilled-worker or Blue Card routes.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Germany

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: The visa is usually issued for several months; the residence permit in Germany is normally granted for two years at a time, at least one year, and renewed while studies progress.
  • Language course visa Validity: For the length of the course.
  • Researcher visa Validity: At least one year, or the length of the research project if shorter.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Up to six months for the EU internship permit
  • Au pair visa Maximum stay: Six to twelve months

Work

  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the employment contract plus three months if shorter.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the contract plus three months.
  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Up to one year; a follow-up Opportunity Card of up to two years is possible for a qualified job that does not yet meet another permit.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the transfer, at most three years (one year for trainees).
  • Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months, once

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Visa for entry; the residence permit is then issued in line with the sponsor's permit.
  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Same appointment system and waiting times as other family reunification visas at the mission responsible for you.

Residence

Faster processing

  • Fast-track and priority visa services Processing time: Recognition authority: decision within two months; Federal Employment Agency: one week; mission: appointment within three weeks and decision usually within three weeks of a complete application.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Processing time: Regular procedure: six months from the application; accelerated procedure: at most three months; border procedure: at most twelve weeks.

Germany visa guide