Accelerated skilled labour procedure

Description

Employers can initiate an accelerated skilled worker procedure (Section 81a AufenthG) with the skilled worker's authorisation. This can shorten the duration of the administrative procedure until the visa is issued for entry. The following should be taken into account:

1. Job offer
   In order to initiate an accelerated procedure for skilled workers, you must have a job offer in Munich.
2. Advice on the recognition procedure
   If the skilled worker needs to have their qualified vocational training or foreign university degree recognised, employers are obliged to seek advice first. There are different advice centres depending on the skilled worker's training.
   For professions in the skilled trades: Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria
   For professions in industry and commerce: Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Munich and Upper Bavaria For all other professions: Immigration Information Centre (FIZE)
3. Agreement on the implementation of the accelerated skilled labour procedure
   An agreement is concluded between the employer and the Foreigners Office. This agreement regulates the authorisations and obligations to cooperate of the employer, the skilled worker and the authorities involved (Foreigners Office, Federal Employment Agency, recognition offices, diplomatic mission abroad). The agreement is not a contract, but only describes the legally prescribed conditions for the accelerated skilled worker procedure.
4. Procedure for the accelerated skilled labour procedure
   The Foreigners Office advises employers on the entry requirements of the skilled worker. It checks the requirements under immigration law, initiates the recognition procedure if necessary and obtains the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. The recognition centres and the Federal Employment Agency must decide within certain statutory deadlines.
5. Preliminary approval for issuing a visa
   If all requirements are met, the Foreigners Office issues a preliminary approval. This is sent to the German embassy abroad and the employer for forwarding to the skilled worker. The skilled worker then books an appointment at the German embassy in their home country to apply for the visa, which takes place within three weeks. At this appointment, the original of the pre-consent, which was forwarded to the skilled worker by the employer, must be presented together with the other documents required for the visa application.
6. Visa application
   Once the complete visa application has been submitted by the skilled worker, a decision will be made within three weeks.
7. Family members
   The accelerated skilled worker procedure also applies to the married person and minor children. The application must be submitted no later than six months after the skilled worker enters the country. The legal requirements for family reunification remain in place.

Prerequisites

The accelerated procedure for skilled workers can be carried out for qualified employment of skilled workers for the following purposes of residence:

• Vocational training; further vocational training
• Implementation of measures for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications
• Skilled workers with vocational training
• Skilled workers with an academic qualification
• Settlement permit for highly qualified persons
• Researchers
• IT specialists
• Senior employees, managers or specialists
• Scientists or teachers
• temporary practical work in the context of recognition of a foreign professional qualification
• Professional drivers in road haulage and passenger transport with buses and coaches
• Employment in justified individual cases of public interest
• Civil servants

Persons with a university degree or qualified vocational training with a training period of at least two years are considered to be skilled workers. The prerequisite for both groups is that their foreign qualification is recognised in Germany.

Required documents

• Colour copy of the professional's passport
• If applicable, colour copy of the certificate of residence status of the skilled worker if currently residing in another EU country
• Completed declaration of employment form
• Completed supplementary sheet A to the declaration of employment(if required)
• Authorisation from employer
• Sub-authorisation
• Authorisation for family reunion with spouse(if required)
• Authorisation for family reunification child(if provided)
• For a skilled worker with qualified vocational training:
  - Certificate of completion of vocational training (in original language and in German translation)
  - Certificate of recognition (if available)
• For a specialist with academic training:
  - University degree certificate (in the original language and in German or English translation)
  - Recognition of the foreign university degree: Extract from anabin(H+) or certificate evaluation from the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs(if available)
• For an IT specialist without a degree but with professional experience:
  - Complete tabular list of completed training and further education programmes (in the original language and in German or English translation)
  - Proof of gainful employment from the beginning of the relevant training until today (in German or English)
  - Proof of at least 3 years of professional experience in the IT sector within the last 7 years (in the original language and in German or English translation)
• Counselling form from the recognition counselling centre (if required)

Please note:

We may require further documents.

Initial contact with the Munich Foreigners Office:

If one of the following cases applies:

• You would like to train a skilled worker or
• You have already found a skilled worker who has a recognised qualification or
• You have found a skilled worker who has a qualification without recognition and have been to a recognition counselling session or
• You have found an IT specialist without a qualification with professional experience

and you would like to enquire specifically about the implementation of the accelerated skilled worker procedure, then write to us using our online contact form.
Please enclose the required documents listed above with your enquiry.

Legal basis

§ Section 81a Residence Act

§ Section 16a Residence Act

§ Section 16d Residence Act

§ Section 18a Residence Act

§ Section 18b Residence Act

§ Section 18c (3) AufenthG

§ Section 18d AufenthG

§ Section 19c AufenthG