A residence permit for employment as a specialist with academic training gives you access to the labor market in Germany. It can only be applied for in person at your local Foreigners' Registration Office. Spouses of holders of the residence permit for qualified employment are also entitled to a residence permit.

You can apply for the residence permit if you have a completed university degree. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognized or comparable to a German university degree. The recognition or determination of comparability can be made before you enter Germany.

You must also present an employment contract or a binding job offer. From the age of 45, you must provide evidence of a certain minimum salary. The minimum gross salary is set annually and is EUR 45,540 in 2020. Even if you do not reach this minimum salary, you can still obtain a residence permit to pursue qualified employment if you present proof of adequate retirement benefits or in special cases. A special case may be that there is a public interest in the employment.

The Federal Employment Agency checks whether the working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees and whether a domestic employment relationship exists.

The residence permit is a temporary residence title. It is issued for 4 years in the case of unlimited employment relationships and can be extended. If the duration of your employment relationship is less than 4 years, the residence permit is issued for the duration of your employment contract.

As the holder of a residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with a university degree, you can also obtain a settlement permit under certain conditions. This entitles you to permanent residence.

Exception: As a citizen of an EU country, you have access to the labor market due to your right of free movement and do not need a residence permit. You can pursue self-employment or employment in Germany within the framework of the right of settlement or the freedom of movement of employees. This also applies to nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Note: If you are highly qualified, you may also be eligible for the EU Blue Card as a residence permit. In this case, other requirements apply, including a minimum salary regardless of age.

Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issued for the purpose of employment in the case of qualified employment as a specialist with academic training