Would you like to work in Germany and need your foreign qualification recognised? As part of our recognition partnership, you can complete the recognition procedure after entering Germany and work in your profession at the same time. To do this, you need a residence permit in accordance with Section 16d (3) AufenthG.

You can find out whether you need a visa to enter Germany in the section “Who needs a visa?”.

What requirements must be met in order to obtain a visa for employment as part of a recognition partnership?

• Qualification: You have a foreign university degree or vocational qualification; the vocational qualification must have been preceded by at least two years of full-time training. The higher education or professional qualification must be officially recognised in the country in which you obtained it. As proof for the visa application, you will need positive information on the professional qualification or, in the case of university degrees, a digital certificate evaluation. You can apply for this proof at the ZAB.
• Concrete job offer: You have a concrete job offer from an employer in Germany. This is usually a qualified job that requires a university degree or corresponding vocational training.
• Vocational Training. Auxiliary jobs are not sufficient. There is an exception for employment in regulated professions for which a licence to practise is required (e.g. doctor, nurse). In such cases, it is possible to carry out auxiliary activities until the professional licence is obtained.
• Proof of language skills: You must have German language skills at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Please note that German language skills at a higher level may be required for participation in qualification programmes in Germany, depending on the occupational group.
• Suitable employer: Your employer must be suitable for the recognition partnership, i.e. they should already have experience with vocational training or post-qualification. The suitability of the employer will be checked by the competent authority during the visa procedure. As a skilled worker, you do not have to do anything for this.