Visa and residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications

You can obtain a residence permit to carry out qualification measures for professional recognition. This is a temporary residence permit for:

a) Participation in qualification measures
The residence permit is generally valid for the duration of the measure, for a maximum of 18 months, including examinations and notification of results. Extensions are possible up to a maximum of two years, e.g. in the event of delays in examinations due to long waiting times or repetition of a failed examination.

b) Employment during company qualification measures:
In the case of qualified employment in a non-regulated occupation during the measure, the residence permit is issued for two years. An extension is not possible.

c) Recognition procedure as part of a placement agreement with the Federal Employment Agency:
The residence permit is initially issued for one year and can be extended for one year at a time up to a maximum of three years as long as the recognition procedure continues.

d) Taking an examination:
A residence permit can also be issued solely for the purpose of taking a required examination (aptitude or knowledge test). The regulation for qualification measures applies to preparatory courses.

1. Start recognition
You must have already started a recognition procedure with the competent authority. You need a decision or interim decision that shows which qualification gaps you need to fill.

2. select a suitable measure
The training measure must help you to acquire the missing knowledge or skills. Suitable providers are, for example

• state or state-recognized educational institutions
• Certified further training courses
• Measures within the framework of federal or state funding
• Company-accompanied qualifications (suitability is checked by the Federal Employment Agency)

3. check language skills
You must speak the language well enough to take the course or pass the exam.

4. securing your livelihood
You must prove that your livelihood is secured during your stay in Saxony. For company-based measures (e.g. internships), you will need a salary of at least €1,200 gross or €941 net per month (as of 2025). For school-based measures (e.g. language course), you must prove that you have at least €1,091 net per month available via a blocked account or a declaration of commitment.

The search for a suitable qualification measure is up to you. Information and advice can be found, for example, at

• IQ Network Saxony
• IBAS Saxony
• Portal "Recognition in Germany"
• Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and Chambers of Crafts (HWK)

Practical qualifications in non-regulated professions can also be obtained directly from the employer or in the company. When making your selection, make sure that the measures compensate for the main differences.

To take part in a qualification measure or an examination, you generally need German language skills of at least level A2. The requirements of the respective training provider are important. If German lessons are part of the measure, lower language skills may also be sufficient.

Important: Higher requirements apply in the healthcare and nursing professions. Doctors, for example, must demonstrate German language skills at level B1 if they take part in a preparatory course for the knowledge test, unless the language acquisition is part of the measure.

As a rule, you may work up to ten hours per week during a qualification measure. Self-employment is not permitted.

If your work is related to your qualification or your profession, you may also be allowed to work for longer - but you will need the approval of the immigration authority and a specific job offer.

If you have a placement agreement with the Federal Employment Agency, work in a suitable occupation is also possible.

If you are only taking an exam, you are not allowed to work.

Employers who would like to train a skilled worker from abroad can arrange the accelerated skilled worker procedure with the relevant immigration authority. This speeds up the entry process. The employer also receives comprehensive advice and support during the procedure. The employer then acts as your authorized representative and contact person for the immigration authority. The accelerated skilled worker procedure costs 411 euros.

You can find more information on the accelerated skilled worker procedure here.

If your professional qualification has been recognized as equivalent, you can extend your residence permit by up to one year in order to look for a suitable job in Saxony. You are already allowed to work during this time.

As soon as you have found a suitable job, you can obtain a residence permit for employment. If you would like to become self-employed in your profession, a residence permit for self-employment is also possible .

If you have already worked in your profession during the qualification measure and the job offer continues to exist, you can obtain a residence permit for employment directly.

If there is no longer a job offer, you can obtain a residence permit to look for a job unless you were only in Germany for an examination.

Your residence permit is tied to the qualification measure. If you do not complete the qualification measure within the permitted time, your residence permit cannot be extended. In this case, however, you can - if the requirements are met - switch to vocational training, studies or other employment.

Inform your local immigration authority as soon as you realize that you will not be able to complete the course in time or within two weeks if you end the course prematurely. The authority will then discuss the next steps with you.