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Skilled worker visa in Germany

The residence permit is issued to skilled workers with a recognised qualification to carry out qualified work. The programme provides routes both for people with a completed higher education degree and for those who have completed qualified vocational training. For applicants of a certain age there are requirements as to a guaranteed minimum income or pension provision. The permit is valid for a limited period but can be renewed while a valid employment contract is in place.

Visa term

Up to 4 years; where the contract is shorter — for the term of the contract plus 3 months

Residence

A specific job offer from a German employer is required

Source: gesetze-im-internet.de — § 18b AufenthG (graduates in skilled employment)

Categories of skilled worker

The programme covers two main categories of applicant, depending on the level of education obtained.

Specialists with a higher education degree

Holding a degree from a German university or a comparable foreign degree
Recognition of the foreign qualification by the competent authority
A specific job offer from a German employer
For a certain age — documentary proof of sufficient income or pension

Specialists with vocational training

Completion of vocational training recognised in Germany
Recognition of the foreign vocational qualification by the competent authority
A specific job offer from a German employer
For a certain age — documentary proof of sufficient income or pension

When this programme will not suit you

The applicant has no qualification recognised in Germany

Obtain recognition of the qualification from the competent authority or consider other migration programmes

There is no specific job offer from a German employer

Try to secure a job first or consider job-seeking programmes where available

The applicant cannot document the required income level at a certain age

Provide proof of adequate pension provision or find a job with a higher salary

Timelines and rights

Work

Work with the named employer; the job need not be connected with the qualification obtained

Who you can bring with you

Family members may join an applicant who holds a residence permit under this programme.

Spouse or registered partner

A valid residence permit is required; the spouse must have basic German language skills, except where the marriage was concluded before the move

Minor children

Children may join where the parent holds a valid residence permit and the other persons with custody consent

Renewal and the grace period

The permit is valid for a limited period, after which it may be renewed provided a valid employment contract is in place and all the previous conditions are still met. Moving to a permanent permit requires a set period of residence with a valid permit, proof of contributions to the pension system, knowledge of German and the ability to support oneself without state assistance.

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.

	Skilled worker visa	Political asylum	Refugee status
Visa term	Up to 4 years; where the contract is shorter — for the term of the contract plus 3 months	Residence permit usually for 3 years; renewed while the grounds remain	Residence permit for 3 years; renewable; may be revoked if conditions improve
Grounds	Residence permit under § 18a or § 18b AufenthG where the qualification is recognised and a job offer is held	State persecution	Persecution
Money	For applicants over 45 — a gross salary from EUR 55,770 per year, or proof of adequate pension provision	Support under the AsylbLG during the procedure	Support under the AsylbLG during the procedure
Work	Work with the named employer; the job need not be connected with the qualification obtained	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 permanent residence

Permanent residence after 3 years holding a residence permit under § 18a, 18b, 18d or 18g, with German at B1, 36 months of pension contributions and the ability to support oneself without state assistance

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation after 5 years of residence

Frequently asked questions about Skilled worker visa

How long is the permit issued for?

The permit is issued for a limited period. If the employment contract is concluded for a shorter period, the permit may be issued for the term of the contract plus a set period, subject to an overall upper limit.

What are the qualification requirements?

The permit requires a completed higher education degree obtained in Germany or recognised in Germany, or qualified vocational training obtained in Germany or recognised by the competent German authority.

Are there any salary requirements?

For applicants of a certain age, proof of a gross salary at the set level or a document showing adequate pension provision is required. For younger specialists the salary requirements may be lower or may not apply.

Can family members join the applicant?

Yes, a spouse and children may join subject to certain conditions. The spouse must have basic German language skills, except where the marriage was concluded before the applicant emigrated.

How can permanent residence be obtained?

A permanent residence permit can be obtained after a set period of residence with a valid permit, with contributions to the pension system, knowledge of German at the required level and the ability to support oneself without state assistance.

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.