As of March 2020, qualified professionals holding a recognized foreign academic degree and a concrete job offer in Germany can apply for a visa. Below are the key requirements and necessary steps to apply for this type of visa.

Eligibility Criteria:

Recognition of Academic Qualifications:

• To be considered a qualified professional, your foreign university degree must be recognized or equivalent to a German degree. If your qualifications do not meet this criterion, you are not eligible for this visa.
• You can check if your degree is recognized or equivalent through the ANABIN database, which helps verify if your foreign degree matches a German qualification.
• If your degree is not listed as “entspricht” (equivalent) or “gleichwertig” (comparable), you must obtain a Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). This also applies to applicants who completed their studies in a shorter standard period.

Regulated Professions:

• Certain professions, such as those in the healthcare sector, are regulated in Germany. If your profession is regulated, you must provide additional documents, including a Gleichwertigkeitsbescheid (equivalency certificate) and either a Berufsausübungserlaubnis (professional practice permit) or Defizitbescheid (certificate of deficiencies).
• If your profession is not regulated, you need to provide evidence that your degree is recognized through ANABIN or a Statement of Comparability from ZAB.

Visa Categories:

• If your qualifications are recognized and you meet all the criteria, you can proceed to apply for the visa under the category for qualified professionals with foreign academic qualifications.

Documents Required for the Application:

Make sure to submit a complete application with the following documents:

1. Filled in Application Form (National Visa)
2. Declaration Form (Section 54 (2) 8 in conjunction with Section 53 of the Residence Act)
3. Three Biometric Passport Photos (not older than six months)
4. Copy of All Pages of Your Passport (A4 size copy)
5. Motivation Letter and CV
6. O/L & A/L Examination Certificates
7. Academic Degree and other experience certificates for your future employment in Germany
8. Regulated Professions (if applicable):
   • Gleichwertigkeitsbescheid (Equivalency Certificate)
   • Berufsausübungserlaubnis (Professional Practice Permit) or Defizitbescheid (Certificate of Deficiencies)
9. Non-Regulated Professions (if applicable):
   • ANABIN Printout (Indicating the classification of your degree in the German education system under “Äquivalenzklasse”)
   • OR
   • Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
10. Employment Contract or Letter of Intent from your future employer in Germany, suitable to your qualification, including:
    • Salary details
    • Working hours
    • Full address of the employer
11. Declaration of Employment (“Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis”)
12. If applicable (for Fast Track Procedure):
    • Preliminary Approval (“Vorabzustimmung”) from the Aliens’ Authority
13. Information Regarding Your Intended Address in Germany, such as:
    • Tenancy agreement
    • Hotel reservation
    • Invitation letter (if staying with a private host)
14. Certificate of Compulsory Health Insurance (“Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung”) from your German employer, valid from the date of employment
    • If applicable, provide separate Travel Health Insurance covering the period from your arrival in Germany until the start of employment

Additional Information:

• Fast-Track Procedure: For applicants eligible for expedited processing, details are available through the embassy’s appointment system, where a separate category exists for this type of applicant.
• Application Timing: The visa application can be lodged up to 6 months before the intended travel date. However, the embassy processes applications in 15 calendar days under standard circumstances. In case of extended reviews, processing can take up to 45 working days.
• Ensure to submit complete applications as missing or incomplete documents may delay the process or lead to rejection.

Conclusion:

Applying for a visa as a qualified professional with foreign academic qualifications requires careful preparation of documents and ensuring that your qualifications meet the recognition requirements. By following the guidelines above and submitting a comprehensive application, you can proceed smoothly with the visa process for working in Germany.