We report on the residence permit for QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Several new laws will come into force on November 18, 2023.
These are already taken into account here.
So what are the conditions for obtaining a residence permit as a skilled worker?
And how does the process work?
Here are the eight most important points:
1. specialist with academic training or vocational training.
Either a recognized university degree from Germany or abroad is required.
Or the foreigner has qualified vocational training.
Such an apprenticeship usually lasts three years.
Research for the recognition of foreign qualifications can be carried out partly through databases and partly through individual examinations.
If the foreigner does not have a recognized qualification, there are also possibilities for a residence permit to work. More on this in another video.
2. employment subject to social insurance contributions:
it must be an employment contract with an employer based in Germany.
This is where the distinction is made from the so-called ENTSENDUNG.
For posting, the ICT card would be the correct residence permit.
We will report on these in another video.
3. exercising a qualified occupation:
employment must typically require a qualification.
However, the foreigner does not have to have exactly this qualification, it is sufficient if he has another one.
For example, the doctor can work as a sales representative, which is what a business economist would typically do.
Exception: not the right of residence, but the professional law requires a certain qualification.
For example, the architect also needs a professional permit in order to obtain a residence permit to work as an architect.
4. salary level:
the salary must be at least LOCAL. This often means at least EUR 3,500 gross per month.
In some sectors, collective agreements may also be relevant.
If the foreigner is over 45 years old at the time of application, he or she must either reach a certain salary limit or provide proof of pension insurance.
The EU Blue Card also has fixed salary limits and other special features.
We have already presented these in previous videos.
5. approval of the Federal Employment Agency:
As part of the visa procedure, the immigration authority obtains the necessary approval from the Federal Employment Agency for employment.
TIP PRELIMINARY APPROVAL. The employer can obtain consent before the foreigner applies for a visa for employment.
We recommend applying for prior approval.
6. insurance declaration:
The employer and employee must guarantee that the employment will actually be exercised.
ATTENTION: False declarations are punishable by law.
This is intended to discourage the establishment of fictitious employment relationships in order to obtain a residence permit.
7. period of validity:
the residence permit is valid for up to four years and can be extended.
If the employment contract is limited in time, the residence permit is valid for as long as the contract plus three months.
8. on the procedure for applying for a residence permit as a qualified specialist:
the foreigner applies for the visa at the German embassy or consulate in his/her country of origin or in the country where he/she currently resides.
If the foreigner has a European residence permit, they can usually apply for a residence permit directly in Germany.
If the foreigner is staying in Germany with a Schengen visa, they can only apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker directly in Germany in certain exceptional cases.
It does not matter which country issued the Schengen visa.
It is also possible to apply using the FAST TRACK procedure.
This is particularly useful if the waiting time for an appointment at the embassy or consulate is very long.
The residence permit gives the foreigner the opportunity to obtain a settlement permit after three years at the earliest.
It also allows family reunification.
Please note that despite great care, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the information.
This article is also not suitable to replace an individual consultation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. I would be pleased to welcome you here again soon, your lawyer Simon Sonnenberg