Fachkraefteportal Brandenburg: Work, Education & Life
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5 steps for successful labour migration

Work visa for skilled workers

If you have found a job in Germany and have completed qualified vocational training or studies outside Germany, you can apply for a visa in accordance with Section § 18a AufenthG or Section § 18b AufenthG  and work in Germany as a skilled worker.

The general requirements (Section 5 (1) AufenthG) for entry to Brandenburg are: Passport, proof of financial means, no existing reason for deportation. In order to successfully obtain a visa for labour migration to Brandenburg, you should already have a concrete job offer in Germany or a valid employment contract. Before applying for an entry visa, clarify the equivalence of your professional or university qualification that was not obtained in Germany.

Schritt 1

Check requirements

  • Recognition of professional qualifications (equivalence or comparability of the foreign higher education or professional qualification, professional licence if applicable)

    - Information on the recognition of higher education qualifications: Anabin.kmk.org

    - Information on the recognition of professional qualifications: For skilled workers (anerkennung-in-deutschland.de)
  • Concrete job offer in Germany or valid employment contract
  • Minimum salary for persons over 45 years of age: Annual gross salary of at least € 49,830 (year 2024) or proof of adequate pension provision

Step 2 (in the home country)

Appointment request at the German Embassy

Note: Find out about the accelerated skilled labour procedure - it can shorten the entry process with the help of your employer.

Step 3

Apply for a visa

Note: The processing time can vary considerably depending on the diplomatic mission abroad and the amount of work involved. Please check the website of the relevant embassy.

Step 4 - in Germany

Entry to/arrival in Germany

Issue of the entry visa for the purpose of qualified employment.

  • A valid health insurance policy must be presented for the entry visa to be issued.
  • After entering the country, a new health insurance policy must be taken out in Germany.
  • Book your trip to Germany.

Step 5

Apply for a residence permit at your place of residence

  • Register your residential address in Germany with the Residents‘ Registration Office (within two weeks of arrival)

    - Residents’ Registration Offices in Brandenburg
     
  • Book an appointment at the responsible immigration office

    - Find your responsible immigration office: BAMF-NAvI - Authorities
     
  • Ask the foreigners authority for a list of the required documents and prepare them
  • Apply for a residence permit for qualified employment (§§ 18a, 18b AufenthG).
  • Fees (§ 45 ff AufenthV)

Note: The residence permit must be applied for before the entry visa expires.

Links and brochures

Information about recognition in Germany

 

Recognition counselling abroad: ProRecognition

In some countries there are local recognition advice centres: ProRecognition advice centres

Explanatory video: The accelerated skilled labour procedure

The shorter route to Brandenburg (must be applied for by the future employer): to the YouTube video

Arriving in Brandenburg: Welcome to Brandenburg advice centres

PDF document with regional contacts in the Brandenburg districts

Find the responsible embassy

Websites of the German missions abroad

Required knowledge of German

Depending on the type of visa, different levels of German language skills are required:

Find the responsible foreigners authority

BAMF-NAvI - authorities

Contact

IQ Servicestellen Fachkräfteeinwanderung NordWest & SüdOst

Residents' registration offices

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