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Apply for a residence permit for the recognition of professional qualifications while employed

  • Arbeit
  • Migration und Integration

You can obtain a residence permit to have your professional qualification, earned abroad, recognized for employment in Germany.

  • Basic information

    Are you planning to have your professional qualification obtained abroad or your foreign college degree recognized in Germany? If so, you can complete a qualification program in Germany to acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge you lack. This qualification program can also be completed while you are employed in Germany.

    You can obtain a residence permit for the duration of the training program as part of your employment if you commit to submitting an application for a determination of equivalence or for a license to practice your profession. You must actively participate in the recognition process in Germany and present a concrete job offer or an employment contract.

    The Federal Employment Agency must approve your employment. As part of this approval process, it verifies, among other things, that the employment does not involve less favorable working conditions than those of comparable domestic employees. It also verifies

    • whether qualified employment is required in a non-regulated profession, or
    • whether a license to practice a profession is required in a regulated profession and whether unskilled employment is to be performed in that case.

    The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) must confirm that you hold one of the following foreign professional qualifications:

    • at least 2 years of training or
    • a college degree recognized in the respective country

    The residence permit for the recognition of professional qualifications while employed is temporary. It is granted for the duration of the Federal Employment Agency’s (BA) approval, but for no more than one year.

    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)
    • You hold a qualification that is officially recognized by the country in which it was obtained and that required at least two years of training, 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 information purposes only and is not legally binding.
    • Passport photographs will now only be accepted in digital form. The passport photograph must be taken using a registration system on-site at the Migration Office, in a photo studio or by a photography service provider. It is not possible to present a digital passport photograph on your mobile phone. Further information is available on our website. Limited deviations from 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 renewal in good time before your national passport expires.
      If you do not hold a valid national passport, you must provide evidence of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for any obstacles).
    • Appeal:
      • Legal action

  • 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

  • Competent Department

  • 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 You should 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 23.09.2026

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