Qualified Professional — Academic Qualification

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

This route is for skilled workers with completed academic studies or qualified vocational training taking up qualified employment in Germany (Sections 18a/18b AufenthG).

See recorded sources

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
Have you completed academic studies or qualified vocational training in Germany or abroad? You may then, under certain conditions, be eligible for a residence permit in accordance with Section 18a or Section 18b of the Residence Act [AufenthG] to take up qualified employment as a skilled worker in Germany.

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

The applicant needs a specific job offer from a German employer for a qualified position (auxiliary tasks do not count); as a rule, the Federal Employment Agency must approve the employment and checks comparable conditions.

See recorded sources

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
You have a specific job offer from an employer in Germany. It is important that the job you are offered is a qualified position. This means that you will usually need an academic qualification or qualified vocational training to do the job. Auxiliary tasks will not be sufficient for this purpose.
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
As a rule, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) must first approve your employment. As part of this process, the Federal Employment Agency will assess whether your conditions of employment (salary, working hours, etc.) correspond to those of domestic employees.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

The qualification must be recognised in Germany or comparable to a German one (licence to practise needed for regulated professions); first-time workers over 45 need a gross annual salary of at least EUR 55,770 (2026) or adequate pension provision.

See recorded sources

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
Your qualification must be recognised in Germany or comparable to a German academic qualification. If you want to work in a regulated profession, such as a healthcare profession, you will need a licence to practise
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
Are you over the age of 45 and coming to work in Germany for the first time? In this case, the job you intend to take in Germany must enable you to earn a gross annual salary of at least €55,770 (as of 2026) or you must be able to prove that you have adequate pension provision.

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

The current §18b Residence Act permits a skilled worker with an academic qualification to take any qualified employment; the job need not match the field of the qualification. The official portal requires a professional licence where the chosen work is a regulated profession. It also states that family can live in Germany through the associated family route. Specific restrictions written into a residence title remain subject to the general §4a(3) rule for changes, so the individual title must be checked before switching employer or role.

See recorded sources

Current AufenthG §18b, any qualified employment
Nichtamtliches Inhaltsverzeichnis § 18b Fachkräfte mit akademischer Ausbildung Einer Fachkraft mit akademischer Ausbildung wird eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung jeder qualifizierten Beschäftigung erteilt.
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
Your job does not have to be related to your qualification.
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
However, you will need a licence to practise if you want to work in a regulated profession.
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
Do you want to live in Germany with your family? This residence permit enables you to do so.
Current AufenthG §4a(3), individual title restrictions
(3) Jeder Aufenthaltstitel muss erkennen lassen, ob die Ausübung einer Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt ist und ob sie Beschränkungen unterliegt. Zudem müssen Beschränkungen seitens der Bundesagentur für Arbeit für die Ausübung der Beschäftigung in den Aufenthaltstitel übernommen werden. Für die Änderung einer Beschränkung im Aufenthaltstitel ist eine Erlaubnis erforderlich.

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

The permit is issued for up to four years (or the contract length plus six months if shorter); after at least three years with an employment residence permit, a settlement permit may be possible. The official source does not state how the permit is renewed.

See recorded sources

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
are issued for a maximum of four years. If your employment contract is for a shorter period, you will be issued with a residence permit for the duration of the contract, plus an additional six months.
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals
If you have held a residence permit for the purpose of employment for at least three years, you may, under certain circumstances, be eligible for a settlement permit .

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Qualified Professional — Academic Qualification

What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.