Leistungen A-Z

• Forms: Declaration of employment relationship (uniform throughout Germany); further authority-specific forms can be obtained from your Foreigners' Registration Office, which may also be offered online.
• Online procedures possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• Personal attendance required: yes

The residence permit, regardless of the qualification as a specialist, can be issued for employment stays resulting from the provisions of the Employment Ordinance, e.g. for seasonal employment, for household employees, speciality chefs, professional drivers.

Nationals of certain countries, regardless of their personal qualifications, may also obtain a residence permit for the purpose of any occupation if they meet other requirements. They are nationals of the following countries:

• Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, USA (§ 26 para. 1 Employment Ordinance)
• by the end of 2020 also: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia (§ 26 para. 2 Employment Ordinance, so-called Western Balkans regulation)

It is not a prerequisite that you are a specialist within the meaning of the Residence Act, i.e. you do not have to have a university degree or qualified vocational training.

The residence permit for the purpose of employment, regardless of the qualification as a specialist, is a temporary residence permit. The duration of the fixed-term contract depends on the duration of the employment contract or results from the provisions of the Employment Ordinance.

Before the residence permit is issued, the Federal Employment Agency must in principle approve the employment, unless it follows from the provisions of the Employment Ordinance that the consent of the Federal Agency is not required.

• You have a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute and - if this was required for entry - an appropriate visa.
• There is no interest in expulsion against you.
• You have a job or a job offer.
  Professional drivers and nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro or Serbia who have reached the age of 45 must provide proof of an employment contract or a binding job offer with a certain minimum salary. The minimum salary must reach 55 percent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling in the general pension insurance. This results in a minimum salary for 2020 of EUR 45 540 per year. Even if this minimum salary is not reached, a residence permit may be issued on presentation of proof of adequate retirement provision or in special cases (e.g. if there is a public interest in employment).
  The amount of the contribution assessment ceiling is announced for each year by 31 December of the previous year by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community in the Federal Gazette (see further information).
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage from your income without using public benefits.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Further requirements may arise from the provisions of the Employment Ordinance.
• For further information, you can contact the responsible immigration authority.

• Valid passport
• Visa, if required for entry
• Original of your employment contract or a binding job offer (please use the nationwide form Declaration of Employment Relationship )
• Current biometric photo
• Proof of your health insurance
• Current registration certificate
• Lease

• Issuance of a residence permit for the purpose of skilled employment, irrespective of qualification as a specialist: EUR 100
• Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or exemption may be considered.

The issuance of the residence permit must be applied for at the Foreigners' Registration Office responsible for your place of residence (in BB: at the Foreigners' Registration Office of the district/independent city)

• Depending on the immigration authority and concerns, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your immigration authority offers the electronic application for a residence permit.
• If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the issuance of the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• In the event of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you upon receipt of your online application in order to arrange an appointment for an interview at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your proof will be checked (please bring it with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the issuance of the eAT card.
• If your application is granted, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the immigration authority of the district/independent city

• Application for a residence permit for employment regardless of qualification as a specialist: at the latest eight weeks before the expiry of your still valid visa or residence permit.
• Opposition period: 1 month

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

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the immigration authority of the district/independent city

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

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the immigration authority of the district/independent city

§ 19c Abs. 1 AufenthG in conjunction with the Employment Ordinance

• Residence Act
• Employment Ordinance

• Information on immigration for the purpose of unskilled or low-skilled employment: https://www.bmi.bund.de/DE/themen/migration/zuwanderung/arbeitsmigration/arbeitsmigration-artikel.html
• Free advice on the topics of entry, residence and work is also available from the "Hotline Working and Living in Germany"
  Phone: 030 1815-1111
• Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Ministry of the Interior and Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg