Taking up employment as an academic – overview
Skilled workers from third countries outside the EU (as well as outside Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) have the possibility to obtain a residence permit to take up gainful employment in Germany provided the relevant requirements are met.
You can apply for a residence permit to take up employment as a skilled worker at your local Aliens' Office in Germany. To do this, you will first need a visa for entry, which you can apply for online using the Consular Services Portal or you can go to your local German mission. Provided that you meet all the requirements, the relevant purpose of entry will be noted in your visa, entitling you to obtain a residence permit to take up employment as a skilled worker.
Please note:
Some German missions abroad work together with service providers to check applications. These service providers help to ensure that applications are processed quickly and smoothly and may charge a service fee for this. You will find out during the application process whether the German mission or consulate responsible for you works with a service provider and what service fee is charged.
The online application for a visa to take up work as an academic
Register on the Consular Services Portal and apply online for a visa to take up work as an academic.
Visa to take up employment as an academic
an academic degree that is recognized in Germany or comparable with a German academic degree and
an employment relationship in Germany.
Special regulations concerning the requirements
If you would like to work in a regulated profession, for example in the field of medicine or law, a professional practice permit is mandatory. The Federal Government's information portal on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications - Anerkennung in Deutschland - will tell you whether your profession is regulated and how you can obtain a professional practice permit.
If you have reached the age of 45 and do not have a minimum annual gross salary of 49,830 euros (2024), proof that you have sufficient pension provisions is required.
Will you receive a minimum annual gross salary of 45,300 euros and 41,041.80 euros in MINT and health professions (as of 2024) and are you working in Germany in an employment relationship appropriate to your qualifications? If so, you may be eligible for a Blue Card (EU) visa.
Still have questions?
Frequently asked questions and answers with more information on how to use the Consular Services Portal and the online application process can be found in our FAQ section. Take a look and see if you can find the answer to your question.
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