Residence permit – recognition of qualifications

Description

Do you come from a third country ( non-EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland), have a foreign professional qualification and would like to complete a qualification programme for full recognition? Then you will need a corresponding residence permit.

Qualification measures include, for example, training courses in a company, specialised training courses, preparatory courses for an examination or job-related German courses.

You also have the option of concluding a recognition partnership. Recognition then takes the form of accompanied practice of qualified employment.

Visa procedure
You must apply for a visa at the relevant German diplomatic mission before entering Germany. The visa is not required for citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. They can enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit before taking up employment.

After entering the country

You must first register your place of residence in Munich at the Citizens Office.

Application and appointment
Before your visa/residence permit expires, you must apply for a residence permit for the purpose of completing a training programme to have your foreign professional qualification recognised. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entering the country.
Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. Once we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.

Period of validity
How long the residence permit is valid for depends on the purpose of your stay. The residence permit for the recognition of a regulated or other profession is issued for one year, but can be extended for up to three years. When concluding a recognition partnership, the residence permit is initially issued for one year. This can then be extended for up to three years.

Prerequisites

• You have applied for recognition of your professional qualification and the competent recognition body in Germany has determined that you still lack the theoretical and/or practical skills required to obtain full recognition of your qualification.
• You have successfully registered for a suitable qualification programme or have received a further training plan from the company.
• You have German language skills at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the German language skills required for the qualification programme.
• You can prove that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay.
• For a recognition partnership, you need a concrete job offer. A recognition agreement/recognition partnership is agreed in the employment contract. In this agreement, you and your employer undertake to submit an application for recognition after your arrival and to actively pursue the procedure for professional recognition.
• You can conclude this recognition partnership if you have a state-recognised qualification (at least two years of training) or a foreign university degree in your home country. Your employer must be suitable for training or post-qualification.

Required documents

• Fully completed application form
• Valid passport or passport replacement
• Biometric passport photo
• Valid entry visa for the purpose of recognition of vocational training (if required)
• Proof of health insurance (insurance card or a certificate of membership of a statutory health insurance company or insurance policy of a private health insurance company). Those with private health insurance must pay attention to the type and scope of their health insurance. Traveller's health insurance is not sufficient.
• Proof of means of subsistence. Proof can be provided by your salary during the qualification programme, the opening of a blocked account with at least 1,091 euros per month (year 2025) or a declaration of commitment.
• Certificate of German language proficiency at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the German language skills required for the qualification programme
• Certificate of completion of foreign training, with a German translation if necessary
• Recognition certificate with references to deficits identified in the recognition procedure
• Proof of the suitable qualification measure or further training plan of the company
• In the case of a recognition partnership: confirmation from the ZAB that your qualification acquired abroad is recognised by the state in which it was acquired
• If the extension of the title is being reviewed after the first year: evidence that the recognition procedure is being actively pursued

In the case of a predominantly company-based qualification programme(possibly with employment as a skilled worker in a non-regulated profession) or employment in addition to a qualification programme:

• Employment contract (if required)
• Declaration of employment(if required)
• Completed supplementary sheet A to the declaration of employment(if required)
• Proof in the further training plan and/or in the employment contract of the company's assurance that the post-qualification is guaranteed

Please note
The requirements may vary due to intergovernmental agreements and special agreements. Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Legal basis

§ Section 16d Residence Act