Applying for a residence permit to work as a skilled worker with a university degree
Service description
If you are from a third country and hold a university degree, you can apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker with academic qualifications.
To do this, you must have a specific job offer in Germany.
If you do not hold a German higher education qualification, your foreign qualification must either be recognised or deemed equivalent to a German higher education qualification. You can arrange for the recognition or determination of equivalence before you enter Germany.
Before you can be granted a residence permit, you will need approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Among other things, it checks whether the job requires specific qualifications and whether the working conditions are the same as those for comparable German workers.
If you are over 45, you must have adequate pension provision.
Under immigration law, ‘third countries’ refers to all countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Who should I contact?
Your town or local authority’s immigration office
Federal ‘Working and Living in Germany’ Helpline
Telephone: 030 18151111 Opening
hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pmWhat fees are incurred?
Fee: €100.00Advance payment: Nohttps://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.htmlUnder certain circumstances, you may be exempt from the fee or pay a reduced fee.What deadlines do I have to observe?
You must apply for your residence permit at least 8 weeks before your visa or residence permit expires.
Application deadline: 8 weeks
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.
Validity period: 4 years
Objection period: 1 month
Legal basis
Legal remedy
- Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification.
- Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld.