Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Durchführung einer Qualifizierungsmaßnahme beantragen

You can obtain a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure if you would like to work in Germany but your professional qualification has not yet been fully recognized by the body responsible in Germany.

You can obtain a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure if a recognition procedure has been carried out at a body responsible in Germany for the recognition of professional qualifications and the recognition body has established that the qualification measures are
- for the recognition of your professional qualification (determination of equivalence to a domestic professional qualification) or
- for the granting of a license to practice your profession (access to the profession)
are required.
Qualification measures include adaptation and compensation measures in theoretical and practical form (internships in the company, theoretical courses, mixed forms), preparatory courses for examinations and language courses.
The residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications is a temporary residence title. It is issued for the duration of the qualification measure, but for a maximum of 18 months.
With your residence permit for the exercise of foreign professional qualifications, you are allowed to pursue employment independent of the qualification measure for up to 10 hours per week.

- Valid passport or passport replacement
- Current biometric photo
- Visa, if required
- Deficit notice from the recognition authority
- Proof of at least sufficient German language skills at level A 2
- Proof of the intended qualification measure, if necessary further training plan
- Proof of livelihood
- rental contract
- Proof of health insurance

- You have a recognized and valid passport or passport replacement and - if required for entry - an appropriate visa.
- There is no interest in deportation against you.
- Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- The body responsible for the recognition of your professional qualification in Germany has determined by means of a notice that you lack practical or theoretical knowledge or skills to achieve full equivalence and that adaptation, compensatory measures or further qualifications are required to establish the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification with a domestic professional qualification.
If you exercise an activity, the commencement or exercise of which is bound by legal or administrative regulations to the possession of certain professional qualifications (e.g. in the case of doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, educators or engineers, so-called regulated professions), it must be clear from the notice that adaptation or compensatory measures are required for the granting of the professional license.
- You have successfully registered for a corresponding qualification measure.
- The qualification measure is suitable to enable recognition of the professional qualification or access to the profession.
- You have at least A2-level German language skills.
- In the case of predominantly in-company vocational training, the Federal Employment Agency has approved the qualification measure if approval is not dispensable (approval is usually obtained from the foreigners authority).
- Your livelihood is secured.

The residence permit must be applied for at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

- Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for the residence permit.
- If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment). For the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card) your fingerprints will be taken.
- In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office, if necessary. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT- card).
- If your application is approved, the Aliens' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
- After about six to eight weeks, you can collect the eAT card from the Aliens' Registration Office.
- The eAT card must always be collected in person.

Fees are charged for the issuance of the residence permit. The timing as well as the form of payment varies depending on the authority.
Who do I have to contact?

- The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiry of your still valid visa.
- Action deadline: 1 month

An appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office may be filed with the court specified in the decision.

- Residence permit for the purpose of training, issued for the purpose of carrying out a qualification measure
- Foreigners may be granted a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure if they wish to work in Germany but their professional qualification has not yet been fully recognized by the body responsible in Germany.
- The qualification measure must be suitable to enable the foreigner to obtain recognition of the professional qualification or access to the profession.
- In the case of a predominantly company-based qualification measure, the Federal Employment Agency must generally give its approval.
- Foreigners must have language skills appropriate to the qualification measure, usually corresponding to level A2.
- The residence permit entitles the holder to take up employment independent of the qualification measure for up to ten hours per week.
- The residence permit is issued for a limited period for the duration of the qualification measures, but for a maximum of 18 months.
- Depending on the foreigners authority and the request, the application can be made via the Internet or in person.
- A fee is charged for the issuance of the residence permit. The time as well as the form of payment varies depending on the authority.
- Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence;

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

Free advice on entry, residence and employment is also available from the 'Working and Living in Germany Hotline' from the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad. Phone: 030 1815-1111 Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

- Forms: You can obtain forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online.
- Online procedure occasionally possible
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: yes