Visa for professionally experienced workers
Munich's official website for qualified professionals and young talents from abroad.
Munich's official website for qualified professionals and young talents from abroad.
How to get a visa for professionally experienced workers
If you want to work in Munich, Germany, a visa for qualified workers provides a good way to get there. Find out about the requirements and the visa application process on this page.
Visa for experienced workers: legal background
Germany offers excellent career opportunities for experienced professionals seeking work in an unregulated profession. Section 19c (2) of the Residence Act [AufenthG] in combination with Section 6 of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners (BeschV) allows you to receive a visa for professionally experienced workers. Official recognition of your qualification in Germany is not required. Speaking of qualification: To know if you qualify for our free offers, do the quick check.
Before you apply, please take a moment to complete our Quick-Check.
If you are eligible after the quick-check, the registration form will become available.
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Key requirements for an experienced workers visa
1. Qualification:
- Hold a higher education degree or vocational certificate officially recognized in the country where it was issued.
- Vocational training must last at least 2 years.
- Apply for a Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) to support your visa application. Once you submit your application, you can immediately pay the €150 fee online.
- For higher education degrees, ZAB can verify state recognition of the qualification in the country where you earned it.
2. Professional experience:
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience within the last 5 years.
- Your experience must be directly related to the position you are applying for in Germany.
3. Employment offer:
- You need a concrete job offer in a non-regulated profession (those not legally protected)
- Check the Federal Employment Agency (BA) website to see if your profession is regulated (page in German)
- Provide your employment contract and a declaration of employment from your company.
4. Minimum salary:
- For 2024, the required minimum gross annual salary €48,300 (as of 2025)
- If you are over 45 years old, the salary must be at least €53.130 (as of 2025) or you must provide proof of sufficient pension coverage.
- Alternatively, salary per a collective bargaining agreement is acceptable.
5. Employment approval:
- The Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve your employment
- The BA checks if your salary and working conditions are equivalent to those of local workers
- Your employer must complete the “Declaration of Employment“ form, typically submitted during the visa process.
- By meeting these criteria, you have a good chance of obtaining a visa and securing employment in Germany. Further information regarding the visa for professionally experienced workers can be found on the Make it in Germany website.
