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Visa for specialists without recognition in Germany

A residence permit for foreign nationals who have vocational training and substantial work experience. The programme allows them to work in non-regulated occupations without formal recognition of the foreign qualification. A specific job offer from a German employer and a corresponding level of income are required. Regulated occupations, which require a special authorisation to practise, are excluded.

Source: gesetze-im-internet.de — § 19c AufenthG (employment on special grounds)

Who can obtain this visa

The visa suits foreign nationals with sufficient professional experience who work under an employment contract in a non-regulated occupation.

Mandatory conditions

Vocational training (at least 2 years of study) or a university degree, recognised in the country where it was obtained
Work experience: at least 2 years within the last 5 years, showing competence
A salary under the employment contract at the set level
A specific job offer from a German employer

Exclusions and restrictions

Regulated occupations (those requiring a special authorisation) do not qualify
If the degree or the experience is not recognised in the country where it was obtained, the visa is not available
The job must be in a non-regulated sector
The employer must be a German company or a foreign company registered in Germany

When this programme will not suit you

Work in a regulated occupation (doctor, lawyer, engineer and others requiring a licence)

A formal qualification recognition procedure through the competent authority is required before obtaining a visa by another route

The degree or the experience is not recognised in the country where it was obtained

Obtain recognition of the qualification in the country of origin or consider alternative visa programmes

Insufficient work experience (less than 2 years within the last 5 years)

Build up the required experience or consider other visa programmes for early-career specialists

No specific job offer from a German employer

Find a sponsoring employer in Germany or use other visa routes for job-seeking

What it costs

Fees for issuing the residence permit (minimum level)The cost of issuing the permit depends on the federal state; in some regions the fees are minimal	0 EUR

Paid separately

Translation and notarial certification of documents — The applicant bears the cost of translation and notarial certification separately
Medical examination — Where required, the applicant bears the cost of the medical examination

Documents to gather

An indicative list of documents for an application for a permit under § 19c Abs. 2 AufenthG:

Passport and copies of its main pages
Employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag) with the German employer
Proof of salary (Gehaltsnachweis) or payslips
Certificate of vocational training (a degree or a certificate of completion of vocational training) with an apostille
References covering the last 5 years of work (Arbeitszeugnisse) evidencing competence
Proof that the foreign qualification is recognised in the country where it was obtained (where required)
For applicants aged 45 and over: documents on pension provision (where the salary does not meet the required level)
Application on the prescribed form (to be confirmed with the foreigners' authority)
Photograph measuring 3x4 cm
Proof of accommodation in Germany (tenancy agreement, utility bills)

How the process runs

The process of obtaining the residence permit:

1
Concluding the employment contract and obtaining the employer's assessment
The German employer assesses the job offer and prepares the necessary documents describing the position and the level of competence required. It is checked that the position falls within a non-regulated sector.
2
Preparing and translating the documents
All the necessary documents are collected: passport, employment contract, certificates of education and experience. Foreign documents are translated into German and certified by a notary or apostilled.
3
Filing the application with the foreigners' authority (Ausländerbehörde)
The applicant files in person, or the employer sends the documents to the local foreigners' authority (usually within the city administration). The application asks for a residence permit under § 19c Abs. 2 AufenthG.
4
Checking and processing the application
The foreigners' authority checks that the documents are complete and discusses the position and the required competence with the employer. Clarification or further documents may be requested.
5
Decision and issue of the permit
Where the decision is positive, an Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) is issued. The document sets out the conditions: work only with the named employer, the obligation to reside in Germany and registration with the migration authorities.

Timelines and rights

Work

Work in a non-regulated occupation; recognition of the foreign qualification in Germany is not required

Who you can bring with you

Family reunification under this programme is possible once the residence permit has been issued:

Spouse

May obtain a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) on family reunification grounds once the main permit has been issued. Proof of income sufficient to support the family members is required.

Children under 18

May obtain a residence permit as family members of the main applicant. Proof of the marriage or of parentage is required, together with sufficient income.

Other family members

Parents, brothers and sisters are considered case by case depending on the circumstances and can obtain a visa on family reunification grounds only where there are special reasons.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

A specific job offer from a German employer is required

The residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) under § 19c Abs. 2 AufenthG is time-limited. Once it expires it may be renewed provided the employment contract remains in force and all the programme requirements are still met (salary level, work in a non-regulated occupation, no legal problems). Renewal is applied for at the foreigners' authority before the permit expires. Where there is misconduct, the employer's business closes or the terms of employment change, the permit may not be renewed or may be revoked.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Visa for specialists without recognition	Political asylum	Refugee status
Money	Gross salary from EUR 45,630 per year (as at 2026)	Support under the AsylbLG during the procedure	Support under the AsylbLG during the procedure
Work	Work in a non-regulated occupation; recognition of the foreign qualification in Germany is not required	After recognition and the 3-year residence permit — full access to the labour market	Full access to the labour market after recognition
Residence	A specific job offer from a German employer is required	Main place of residence in Germany; a Residenzpflicht is possible	A Wohnsitzauflage is common in the first years

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation after 5 years of residence

Frequently asked questions about Visa for specialists without recognition

What is the minimum salary for this visa?

As at 2026 the minimum gross salary is EUR 45,630 per year (45 per cent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance). For applicants over 45, EUR 55,770 per year (55 per cent) or proof of adequate pension provision is required.

Which occupations are excluded from this programme?

The programme does not apply to regulated occupations requiring a special authorisation or licence: doctors, lawyers, engineers (where registration is required), teachers, psychologists and other occupations supervised by the state or by professional bodies. For these occupations formal recognition of the qualification must be obtained before applying.

What work experience is required for this visa?

At least two years of professional experience gained within the last five years is required, evidencing competence to carry out the specific work. The experience may have been gained in any country and must be evidenced by references (Arbeitszeugnisse) from previous employers.

Can an employer be exempted from the salary requirement?

Yes, an employer operating under a collective agreement (Tarifvertrag) may be exempted from the required minimum salary if the working conditions follow the collective agreement. The employer must, however, confirm that such an agreement exists when the documents are filed.

Can a foreign national work for another employer on this visa?

No, the residence permit is issued for work with a specific employer. Changing employer requires a new application and a re-issued permit. Only with the written agreement of the new employer and a re-issued permit can the holder move to a new job.

What educational requirements apply to this visa?

What is required is either a state-recognised foreign vocational qualification obtained through vocational training lasting at least two years, or a state-recognised foreign higher education degree, or a vocational qualification recognised by a German chamber of commerce abroad. Formal recognition of these documents is not required before applying.

Other ways to move to Germany

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Germany.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.