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Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of recognizing professional qualifications based on an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency

  • Migration und Integration
  • Arbeit

You can obtain a residence permit if there is an agreement between the Federal Employment Agency and the authorities in your country of origin, and you have been placed in a job.

  • Basic information

    You can obtain a residence permit based on the recognition of your foreign professional qualification if you have been placed in a job through an agreement between the Federal Employment Agency and the employment agency in your country of origin. In the health and long-term care sector, one such agreement is, for example, the “Triple Win” program for placing nursing staff.

    You do not need to initiate the recognition process in Germany before receiving your residence permit. You can also begin the recognition process after your arrival in Germany. The necessary procedure is outlined in the placement agreement. The Federal Employment Agency ensures that candidates pre-selected under the placement agreement are recruited from countries with adequate training standards.

    The Federal Employment Agency must have approved the employment in the intended occupational field. The Federal Employment Agency’s approval is granted for a limited period of one year. You can extend the approval for work

    • in regulated professions in the health and nursing sectors and
    • in other selected regulated and unregulated professions

    .

    Regulated professions are those for which you must acquire specific professional qualifications. This is the case, for example, for doctors, architects, and pharmacists. To find out whether your profession is regulated in Germany, which laws govern it, and which authority you must contact to have your qualifications assessed, visit the “Recognition in Germany” information portal.

    The Federal Employment Agency will approve your employment if the work is related to the professional knowledge required for the profession you wish to have recognized after your arrival. A professional connection exists if, for example, you wish to have your qualification as a pediatric nurse recognized and intend to work as a nursing assistant during the recognition process.

    You must also submit a declaration stating that, after entering the country, you will undergo the procedure to determine equivalence or, in the case of regulated professions, to obtain a license to practice.

    The residence permit entitles you to work up to 20 hours per week in a job unrelated to the professional qualification to be recognized.

    Requirements

    • Their livelihood is secure, and they have adequate health insurance coverage.
    • Your identity and nationality have been verified.
    • There are no grounds for deportation or an entry ban against you.
    • You meet the passport requirement.
    • You entered the country with the required visa. Your stay is lawful.
    • Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
    • You have sufficient knowledge of German (at least B1 level)
    • You hold a qualification that is state-recognized by the country in which it was obtained and for which a training period of at least two years was required, or
    • You hold a college degree that is officially recognized by the country in which it was earned.
    • Your primary residence is in the city of Bremen

  • Procedure
    • The application and the required documents can be submitted to us by email or mail. 
    • If necessary, the Immigration Office will request additional documents.
    • If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment to come in for an interview.

    More information

    Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

    Passport photos are now accepted only in digital form. The passport photo must be taken using a registration system on-site at the Office of Migration, at a photo studio, or at a photo service provider. You cannot submit a digital passport photo from your cell phone. For more information, please visit our website. Limited exceptions to the biometric requirements are permitted for infants and young children.

    A residence permit can only be issued for the duration of your national passport’s validity. Please apply for a renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.

    If you do not have a valid national passport, you must provide evidence of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for the delay).

    Legal Remedies:

    • Appeal
    • Lawsuit

  • Necessary Documents
    • National Passport / Proof of Identity
    • A current biometric passport photo
    • Proof of qualifications and employment:
      • Proof of qualification (certificate of completion of vocational training or degree, with a translation if necessary)
      • Certificate confirming the necessary steps for the recognition of your professional qualifications
      • Statement regarding employment status (completed by the employer)
      • Employment or internship contract, or a confirmation from the employer stating your personal information, salary, and the duration of the employment relationship. Any information not required may be redacted in the employment contract.
      • Registration for a language course, including the expected duration
      • Proof of proper completion of the educational program in the event of an extension
      • Proof of health insurance
      • Proof of financial support (e.g., blocked account, letter of financial commitment, scholarship, etc.)
      • Certificate or documentation of completion of the program and recognition or equivalence of the professional qualification
      • Medical license or license to practice, if required
      • If available:
        • School certificate
        • Registration for the adaptation course or proficiency exam
        • Continuing education plan

  • Forms

  • Fees / Costs

    100,00 EUR When a residence permit is issued for the first time as an electronic residence permit
    93,00 EUR When renewing a residence permit as an electronic residence permit
    27,60 EUR For Turkish nationals up to age 24 for initial issuance / for renewal
    46,00 EUR For Turkish citizens aged 24 or older: for initial issuance / for renewal
    56,00 EUR when the residence permit is issued for the first time as a label
    49,00 EUR when renewing a residence permit as a label
    6,00 EUR in addition, for taking a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal.

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    8 weeks Apply for a residence permit no later than 8 weeks before your current visa expires.

    How long does it take to process

    Once we receive your application, we will need some time to process and review it. Once the review is complete, we will get back to you.

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct.

Updated on 20.08.2026

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