Our employees only speak German in the office and on the phone.

Apply for a Residence Permit to Work as a Skilled Professional with an Academic Degree

  • Migration und Integration

Do you have a college degree and would like to work in Germany as a skilled professional? If so, you may be eligible for a residence permit under certain conditions.

  • Basic information

    If you are from a non-EU country and have a college degree, you can apply for a residence permit as a skilled professional with academic training.

    To do so, you must have a concrete job offer in Germany.

    If you do not have a German college degree, your foreign degree must either be recognized or deemed equivalent to a German college degree. You can have your degree recognized or its equivalence determined even before you enter Germany.

    Before you can receive your residence permit, you need approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Among other things, the agency will verify whether the position is a qualified job and whether the working conditions are the same as those for comparable German employees.

    If you are over 45 years of age, you must have adequate retirement savings.

    Under residence law, “third countries” include all countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

    Requirements

    • Your identity and nationality have been verified.
    • There are no grounds for deportation or entry ban against you.
    • You meet the passport requirement.
    • You entered the country with the required visa. Your stay is lawful.
    • You have adequate health insurance coverage.
    • Your primary residence is in the city of Bremen
    • Employment contract or a concrete job offer
    • Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
    • License to practice your profession (if required for your profession—for example, doctors)
    • Proof of equivalence of qualifications, if not obtained in Germany.

  • 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 appear in person.

    More information

    • Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.
    • Starting May 1, 2025, passport photos will only be accepted 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 by 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 renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.
      If you do not possess 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).
    • German Pension Insurance History
      • By phone at 0421/3407-0 or online by entering your social security number. You can find the link under “Further Information.” 

  • Necessary Documents
    • National Passport / Proof of Identity
    • A current biometric passport photo
    • Proof of Employment
      • Proof of Qualification (degree certificate, with a translation if necessary, and proof of recognition/equivalence of the degree in Germany through two years of appropriate employment)
      • Statement regarding the employment relationship (completed by the employer)
      • If already available: employment contract or confirmation from the employer stating personal information, salary amount, and duration of employment. Any unnecessary information may be blacked out in the employment contract.
      • The first two pay stubs since the start of employment + pay stubs for the last two months
      • Proof of health insurance, if applicable
      • If you have been working in Germany for 2 years and are subject to mandatory social insurance contributions: Social insurance history from the German Pension Insurance
    • Proof of Housing
      • For rental apartments: Lease agreement specifying the square meters and proof of the current rent, including all utilities 
      • For rent-free housing: Written confirmation from the primary tenant regarding the rent-free housing
      • For owner-occupied housing: Land registry extract, proof of monthly mortgage payments including utilities/bank statement, proof of property taxes and insurance
    • If the application is filed by an authorized representative: Power of attorney specifying the subject matter of the proceeding
    • If you already have a residence permit or another German residence authorization for the federal territory
      • Copy of your residence permit
    • If you have entered the country and are applying for a residence permit for the first time, you must also:
      • Entry stamps, as well as a visa for entry or a residence permit from another EU country in the passport (if applicable)
    • Proof of primary residence in the municipality of Bremen

  • 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 Additionally, for taking a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal.
    If a certificate evaluation is required, additional fees will apply.

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    8 weeks You must apply for a residence permit at least 8 weeks before your visa or residence permit expires. The same deadline applies if you are eligible for visa-free entry (90 days).
    4 years The residence permit is issued for up to 4 years. If your employment contract is for a shorter period or if the Federal Employment Agency approves a shorter period, the residence permit will be issued and renewed for less than 4 years on a case-by-case basis.

    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 11.08.2026

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