If you have successfully established the equivalence of a foreign professional qualification or have obtained a license to practice your profession, you may be granted a temporary residence permit to look for work.

The residence permit will be issued to you immediately after your previous recognition procedure. An extension of the residence permit is only possible if the maximum period was not exhausted when it was first issued. If you do not find a job during this period, an extension of the residence permit is not possible. You are then obliged to leave the federal territory.

This residence permit allows you to work without restriction.

You already hold a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment following a successful recognition procedure for your foreign professional qualifications in Germany, and the maximum period of 12 months has not yet expired.

Other general requirements for a residence permit include, in particular:

• a secure livelihood,
• a verified identity,
• possession of a valid national passport.

You can only apply for a residence permit in person at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

• You must submit the original copies of the required documents and pay the application fee.
• The immigration office will check whether the requirements for granting a residence permit are met.
• If all requirements are met, the immigration office will record your biometric data (photo, fingerprints) and order the electronic residence permit (eAT) from the Federal Printing Office (Bundesdruckerei GmbH).
• As soon as the eAT is ready, it will be handed over to you by the immigration office.

You can find further information on the German government's portal for skilled workers from abroad

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/

Section 20(3)(4) and (4) sentence 2 of the Act on the Residence, Employment, and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act – AufenthG).

Section 8 (1) AufenthG.

• Appeal

Detailed information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the notice rejecting your application.

• Administrative court action

Submit your application before your current residence permit expires. We recommend that you visit the office 4 to 6 weeks before your current residence permit expires.

The residence permit is limited to a maximum of 12 months, including the extension period.

The processing time depends on the workload at the local immigration office.

The immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

• Valid national passport
• Proof of secure livelihood (e.g., employment contract and pay slips, bank statements, declaration of commitment by a third party)
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of qualifications (diploma, certificate, or confirmation from your training company or educational institution that you have successfully completed your training)
• 1 current biometric photo
• Please check with your local immigration office to see if you need to submit any additional documents.

• Fee: EUR 93.00 - EUR 96.00

• Online procedure possible: no
• Personal appearance required: yes
• Written form required: no