Taking up employment as a skilled worker with professional training – 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 following 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 a skilled worker with professional training
Register on the Consular Services Portal and apply online for a visa to take up work as a skilled worker with professional training.
Visa to take up work as a skilled worker with professional training
a qualification equivalent to professional training in Germany 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.
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.
Find out more
Visa Navigator
The Visa Navigator helps you to quickly and easily find the visa you need to enter and stay in Germany.
Visa NavigatorConsulate Finder
Use the Consulate Finder to quickly and easily find the German mission responsible for you.
Consulate FinderMake it in Germany
As the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad, Make it in Germany provides extensive information about working and living in Germany.
Find out moreFederal Foreign Office
The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on all consular services as well as on German foreign policy.
Find out more