Applying for a residence permit to undertake a skills development programme combined with employment

If your professional qualifications have not yet been fully recognised, you may, under certain conditions, be granted a residence permit to undergo a recognition procedure whilst simultaneously taking up qualified employment in the profession for which recognition is being sought.

To this end, you must undertake to submit an application for the recognition of your professional qualification obtained abroad after entering the country and to actively pursue the process. At the same time, your employer must enable you to undertake the necessary training measures as part of your employment, for example through time off work or work placements.

You will be granted a residence permit if:

• you hold a foreign professional qualification recognised in the relevant country, having completed at least two years’ training, or a recognised foreign higher education qualification,
• you have the necessary German language skills for the training programme,
• the employer is suitable for providing training or further training, and
• as a rule, the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval.

You may work up to 20 hours a week in addition to your main job.

In order to work in regulated professions, the role need not be a skilled one, provided that certain requirements regarding working conditions are met. The licence to practise the profession required in this case is then to be obtained as part of the training programme.

A residence permit for the purpose of undertaking a skills development programme involving employment is valid for a limited period and is initially granted for a maximum of one year. It may be extended for up to three years.