Germany Experienced professional permit

Permit for a qualified job for people with at least two years of relevant experience gained in the last five years and a recognised foreign qualification (vocational of two years or more, or a degree); the qualification requirement does not apply to ICT occupations. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least EUR 45,630 a year (≈ $51,000) · Minimum gross salary: 45% of the 2026 pension-insurance contribution ceiling of EUR101,400 (≈ $113,000) (section 6 BeschV; ceiling in the 2026 Social Insurance Reference Values Ordinance). Does not apply if the employer is bound by a collective agreement and applies it. The EUR figure is calculated from the statutory percentage and the published ceiling. ^{2 9}
• A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110) · Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity. ¹⁰
• A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84) · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries. ¹¹

Requirements

• The applicant is a third-country national. ^{1 2 3}
• At least two years of relevant professional experience gained in the last five years that qualifies the person for the job. ²
• A state-recognised foreign vocational qualification of at least two years, a recognised foreign degree, or a chamber-issued vocational diploma. ²
• The qualification requirement is waived for occupations in information and communications technology. ²
• Salary of at least EUR45,630 (≈ $51,000) per year in 2026 (45% of the pension-insurance contribution ceiling). ^{2 9}
• This does not apply if the employer is bound by a collective agreement and applies it. ^{1 2 3}
• A job offer paying that salary, or covered by a collective agreement at the employer. ^{2 3}
• Federal Employment Agency approval is part of the process. ^{2 3}

Stay

• Issued for four years, or for the length of the employment contract plus six months if that is shorter (never more than four years).
• First stay: up to 48 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Qualified employment with the sponsoring employer.

Family

The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is waived. Minor unmarried children can join under section 32. Your spouse or partner may work in Germany without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. AufenthG section 19c: other employment purposes · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
2. Employment Ordinance (BeschV) section 6: employment with pronounced practical experience · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
3. AufenthG section 18: principles of skilled-worker immigration, job offer, approval and four-year term · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
4. AufenthG § 4a Zugang zur Erwerbstätigkeit · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
5. AufenthG § 30 Ehegattennachzug · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
6. Family reunification with third-country nationals (Nachzug zu Drittstaatsangehörigen) · Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) · checked 2026-10-12
7. AufenthG § 29 Familiennachzug zu Ausländern · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
8. Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV) section 41: privileged nationals who may obtain the residence title after entry · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
9. Social Insurance Reference Values Ordinance 2026, section 4 · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
10. Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 45: fees for the residence permit, Blue Card EU and ICT card · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
11. Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
12. AufenthG section 9: settlement permit · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
13. Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
14. AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11