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

• Grant the company power of attorney to represent you before German authorities
• If necessary, create a sub-power of attorney (A sub-power of attorney must be completed by the company if, for example, it assigns a specific employee to assist a skilled worker or engages a relocation service to handle the process.)

• Color copy of your passport
• If currently residing in another EU country: Copy of the residence status certificate
• From age 45: Proof of adequate retirement provisions in Germany

• Copy of the vocational training or college diploma: in the original language and with a certified translation into German
• Notification of recognition or certificate evaluation from a competent recognition authority in Germany (e.g., IHK FOSA, ZAB) or proof that the recognition process is already underway
• For regulated professions (e.g., nursing, medicine, education): license to practice or confirmation of approval for a license to practice
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form in German
• Copies of employment records and other supporting documents (if available) in the original language and German translation:
  • Employment references, references, proof of employment
  • School transcripts, certificates, courses, continuing education, etc.
• Statement regarding the initial application for equivalency assessment in Germany:
  • in German and
  • signed by you
• Proof of language proficiency:
  • for regulated professions (e.g., medicine, education): e.g., German language proficiency at level B1 or B2 (the language used in the workplace is decisive)
  • For non-regulated professions, not required but may be helpful
• Job offer or employment contract with details on job duties, salary, working hours, etc.

Note: Professional drivers and IT specialists can also enter the country via the accelerated skilled worker procedure even without professional recognition.

• The employer determines which immigration office has jurisdiction (based on the company's registered office),
• schedules an appointment (via email, see table above),
• concludes an agreement regarding the procedure (including deadlines, responsibilities, and supporting documents), and
• pays the processing fee (€411)

• The recognition process is initiated by the Office of Immigration and Naturalization
• If necessary, submit additional documents for the equivalency assessment upon request

Note: The professional may initiate the recognition process even before the formal procedure begins. If you have questions about recognition, the Saxony-Anhalt Immigration Information Center can assist you.

• The company fills out the employment declaration and forwards it directly to the Federal Employment Agency, or
• The company fills out the declaration of employment, and the Foreigners’ Registration Office handles the approval internally
• If applicable, Supplementary Sheet A (used to provide a detailed description of employment or a qualification measure as part of a recognition procedure under Section 16d of the Residence Act)
• If applicable, Supplementary Sheet B (used to provide details regarding employment within the framework of a posting, an intra-company transfer (ICT), or an international staff exchange)
• Query regarding the parallel procedure (regular visa procedure initiated by the skilled worker or preliminary approval from the Federal Employment Agency initiated by the representative company)

Important:

Please do notyet submit a visa application to the diplomatic mission if your employer wishes to apply for prior approval from the Federal Employment Agency on your behalf.

Both procedures must not be initiated simultaneously. Prior approval is only possible if no visa application has been submitted at the time of the request.

What should you do?
Be sure to coordinate with your future employer in advance. This will help you avoid having your application rejected or the process delayed.

• Schedule an appointment at the German diplomatic mission abroad and
  • present the appointment confirmation and documents from the Foreigners’ Registration Office there.
  • Applying for a D-Visa

Note: The use of the expedited skilled worker procedure does not guarantee that the German diplomatic mission will issue a visa. If preliminary approval for the visa is not granted or if the diplomatic mission rejects the visa application, there is no entitlement to a refund of the fee paid.

• Entry After a Visa Is Issued
• Registration at your place of residence
• Arriving, Working, and Living in Saxony-Anhalt

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