• Initial consultation and preliminary assessment available at one of the following offices:
  • Specialized Information Center for Immigration Saxony-Anhalt
  • Welcome Center Saxony-Anhalt
  • Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
• Employment contract or a concrete job offer with detailed salary information

• Obtain power of attorney from the specialist
• If necessary, issue a sub-power of attorney (a sub-power of attorney must be completed by the company if, for example, it entrusts a specific company employee with the support of a skilled worker or commissions a relocation service for the procedure).

• Color copy of the skilled worker's passport
• If currently residing in another EU country: copy of the skilled worker's residence status certificate
• From the age of 45: Proof of adequate pension provision for the skilled worker in Germany

• Copy of vocational training or university degree certificate: in the original language and with a certified translation into German
• Recognition notice or certificate evaluation from a competent recognition body in Germany (e.g., IHK FOSA, ZAB) or proof that the recognition procedure is already underway
• For regulated professions (e.g., nursing, medicine, education): professional license or confirmation that a professional license will be issued
• Tabular resume in German
• Copies of employment references and other evidence (if available) in the original language and German translation:
  • Employment references, references, proof of employment
  • Certificates, diplomas, training courses, further education, etc.
• Declaration regarding the initial application for equivalence assessment in Germany:
  • in German and
  • signed by the skilled worker
• Proof of language proficiency:
  • For regulated professions (e.g., medicine, education): e.g., German language skills at level B1 or B2 (working language is decisive)
  • For non-regulated professions, not a requirement, but may be helpful
• Job offer or employment contract with details of the job, salary, working hours, etc.

Note: Professional drivers and IT specialists can also enter the country without professional recognition via the fast-track procedure for skilled workers.

• Determine the relevant immigration authority (depending on the company's registered office)
• As an employer, make an appointment (by email, see table above)
• Conclude agreement on the procedure (including deadlines, responsibilities, evidence)
• Pay the processing fee (€411)

• Recognition procedure is initiated by the immigration office
• If necessary, submit additional documents for the equivalence assessment upon request

Note: Recognition can be initiated by the skilled worker even before the procedure begins. If you have any questions about recognition, the Saxony-Anhalt Immigration Information Center can assist you.

• The company fills out the declaration of employment and forwards it to the Federal Employment Agency itself, or
• The company fills out the declaration of employment and the immigration office handles the approval internally
• If applicable, supplementary sheet A (used to provide a detailed description of employment or qualification measures as part of a recognition procedure in accordance with Section 16d of the Residence Act)
• If applicable, supplementary sheet B (used to provide details of employment as part of a secondment, an intra-corporate transfer (ICT), or an international personnel exchange)
• Query regarding parallel procedure (regular visa procedure initiated by the skilled worker or preliminary approval by the Federal Employment Agency initiated by the representative company)

Note: It is not permitted to apply for a regular visa procedure at the diplomatic mission abroad and for prior approval from the Federal Employment Agency at the same time. Since the visa application is usually submitted by the skilled worker themselves to the relevant diplomatic mission abroad, it is essential for you as a company to coordinate this with the skilled worker in advance.

Recommendation: Discuss with your future skilled worker whether a visa application has already been submitted or is planned, and coordinate the next steps carefully. Good coordination prevents unnecessary delays and duplication in the process.

• The specialist makes an appointment at the German diplomatic mission and
  • submits the agreement and documents from the immigration office there.
  • Applying for a D visa

Note: The implementation of an accelerated skilled worker procedure does not guarantee that the German diplomatic mission abroad will issue a visa. If the visa is not approved in advance or if the diplomatic mission abroad rejects the visa application, there is no entitlement to a refund of the fee paid.

• Entry of skilled workers after visa issuance
• Registration at place of residence
• Arriving, working, and living in Saxony-Anhalt

Note: Take advantage of the support services offered by the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt.