After obtaining professional recognition

Once you have obtained recognition of your professional qualification from the state authority, several options exist. On the one hand, you can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment as a skilled worker if you have already found a job. You can find further information here.

Secondly, you can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment. You can find more information on this page. The purpose of the residence permit is to find a job that corresponds to your professional qualification.

Please bring the following with you…

If you wish to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):

• Your valid passport
• A current passport photo
• A completed application form
• Proof of sufficient funding (employment contract and salary statements / letter of intent in accordance with Section 68 AufenthG (German Residence Act) / blocked account)
• Your tenancy agreement
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. licence to practise medicine)
• Fee: up to € 100.00

Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.

Please note: An appointment is required for the granting and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.

Period of validity

The residence permit can be issued for up to 18 months (calculated from the day professional recognition was granted).

If you have found a job, you can also apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker before your residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment expires.

Change in purpose of stay

It is possible to change the purpose of residence for the purpose of employment as a skilled worker.

Furthermore, you can change to a residence permit if there is a legal entitlement to the same (for example, in the case of family reunification).

If you do not find a job appropriate to your professional qualification within the period allocated to you to seek employment, you must generally leave the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Paid employment

The residence permit issued to you for the purpose of seeking employment permits paid employment.