Coming to Saxony as a specialist

A skilled worker has either completed vocational training or a course of study in Germany or in their country of origin.

• A skilled worker with vocational training has either completed qualified vocational training in Germany (at least two years of training) or has acquired a comparable professional qualification abroad.
  
• Skilled worker with an academic qualification has obtained a university degree either in Germany or abroad.

Important: In the case of foreign qualifications, it is usually necessary to check whether your qualification is comparable to the German qualification. This check is carried out by the competent authority. You can find all the important information on this under Professional recognition.

As a skilled worker, you will receive a visa or residence permit for qualified employment. This is limited in time and applies to professions that require training or studies.

The residence permit for skilled workers is usually issued for up to four years - or for the duration of your employment contract plus three months. The approval of the Federal Employment Agency can also limit the duration.

Important: The residence permit may contain certain conditions. These conditions result from the approval of the Federal Employment Agency and are included in the residence permit.

• a concrete job offer for qualified employment
• Securing a livelihood in Germany
• On reaching the age of 45 and first-time issue: a gross annual salary of at least €53,130 (2025) or adequate pension provision
• Recognized or comparable professional qualification
• If necessary: Professional license for regulated professions (e.g. nursing)
• No threat to the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Approval from the Federal Employment Agency

Note: A skilled worker can take up any qualified employment if the legal requirements are met. Employment with a recognized qualification is possible in non-regulated professions in any qualified occupation, i.e. the employment does not have to be professionally related to your qualification.

If you have an academic qualification, you can also work in a non-academic profession if there is a professional connection. This allows you to start a career below your academic qualification. Skilled workers with vocational training, on the other hand, cannot work in an academic profession.

However, it must always be a qualified occupation, i.e. a dependent occupation that requires at least two years of vocational training in Germany. Employment in unskilled and semi-skilled occupations is excluded.

For a residence permit as a skilled worker with vocational training or as a skilled worker with an academic education, you do not have to prove your German language skills. In principle, your employer will decide on the language requirements for your employment when hiring you. Learning German is generally recommended.

For some regulated professions, knowledge of German at a certain level may be a prerequisite for the granting of a license to practice a profession or to use a professional title. The competent authority will check this when issuing the permit.

As a skilled worker with vocational training or an academic degree, you can obtain a permanent residence permit (settlement permit) after three years in Germany.

If you obtained your degree in Germany, the period is reduced to two years. The prerequisite is that you had a residence permit as a skilled worker during this time and continue to work as such.

In addition, you must have paid into the statutory pension insurance scheme for at least 24 or 36 months or be able to provide evidence of expenses for an entitlement to comparable benefits from an insurance or pension institution or insurance company.

You must also have sufficient German language skills (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

EU Blue Card holders can obtain a settlement permit after just 21 months if their German language skills are at level B1, or after 27 months if their German language skills are at level A1.

Employers can apply for the accelerated skilled worker procedure at the relevant immigration authority. If all the necessary documents are available, the entry process in particular is shortened. Employers are also supported in the procedure by the responsible immigration authority. The employer acts as the authorized representative of the skilled worker in Germany and is the point of contact for the immigration authority. The accelerated skilled worker procedure costs 411 euros.