Applying for a settlement permit for highly qualified professionals

• You must apply for a settlement permit before your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably in the original).
• Depending on the federal state, it may be necessary to obtain the approval of a further authority in order for the settlement permit to be granted.

• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the purpose of issuing the settlement permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The foreigners authority orders the production of the eAT card from Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

The immigration authority responsible for the applicant’s place of residence.

• You have an academic qualification, which means you hold
  • a German university degree,
  • a recognised foreign higher education qualification or
  • a foreign higher education qualification that is comparable to a German higher education qualification. Please
    note:

If you wish to work in a regulated profession (for example, in the academic healthcare professions), it is essential that your foreign higher education qualification is recognised by the relevant authority.

• You are one of a group of highly qualified professionals; in other words, you are, for example,
  • A scientist with specialist knowledge,
  • Teacher in a senior role,
  • research staff in senior roles.

Please note:

This list is not exhaustive.

Specialist knowledge is deemed to exist if you possess a specific qualification or knowledge of above-average significance in a particular specialist field. This is usually the case if a field of research can be identified in which you have acquired particular expertise (for example, through successful projects, research initiatives or publications). The specific field of your work is irrelevant.

The position of senior academic staff is held by chair holders and heads of department.

Research assistants are considered to be in a prominent role when, in addition to their usual duties, they independently develop and carry out projects, or lead – or are expected to lead – research departments, project groups or working groups. The level of their salary is irrelevant in this context.

• You have been offered an employment contract or a specific job offer.
• You must be able to demonstrate at least two years’ professional experience.
• Furthermore, the Immigration Authority must issue a positive assessment stating that you are likely to integrate into German society and the legal system (for example, if you have existing knowledge of German, have previously resided in Germany or have international experience).
• You are able to support yourself (and your family) financially – including health insurance – independently, i.e. without relying on state benefits.
• There are no grounds relating to public security or public order that would prevent your stay in Germany.

• Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Visa, if this was required for entry
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Evidence of sufficient means of support (for example, proof of income, employment contract, personal assets, pension notice, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental allowance or child benefit, maintenance payments)
• Proof of health insurance cover (for example, a confirmation of cover from your health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Evidence of specific qualifications or professional experience (e.g. training certificates, certificates, employment references)
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• when practising a regulated profession:
  • Professional licence (e.g. medical licence, professional authorisation)
  • Recognition of a foreign higher education qualification by the relevant authority

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the foreigners authority may require less or further evidence.

• Section 44(3) of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)

• Section 19 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)
• Section 18c(2) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

• 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.

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

• If you wish to work in a non-regulated profession, you can find further information at https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html on how your foreign higher education qualification is assessed in Germany. You also have the option of having your qualification assessed on an individual basis by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen), which can be found at https://www.kmk.org/zab/zentralstellefuer-auslaendisches-bildungswesen.html, to demonstrate its comparability with a German higher education qualification.
• No proof of knowledge of the German language is required in order to obtain a settlement permit.
• The granting of a settlement permit is at the discretion of the relevant immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free from errors of discretion.
• The proceedings are usually conducted in German.
• A settlement permit may lapse if you stay outside Germany for more than six months, unless this stay abroad has been agreed in advance with the Immigration Authority.
• All information provided to the Immigration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to the person concerned. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the cancellation of residence rights that have already been granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.