Exam period is included in the residence purpose

Your residence permit also covers the exam after the course. The validity period is calculated up to the announcement of the exam results. Plan for an additional 4 weeks to 3 months.

Purely in-company qualification is also possible

Your qualification does not have to take place at a school. It can also be carried out entirely within a company. This applies, for example, if you only need to demonstrate practical skills.

From 51 percent practical share, the measure counts as in-company

Whether your measure counts as in-company or school-based depends on the time share. From 51 percent practical activity, it is considered predominantly in-company. Different rules then apply for approval.

Apply for Residence Permit for Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications through Qualification Measures

You need a qualification measure to have your foreign professional qualification recognised in Germany.

At a glance

How do you get a residence permit for a qualification measure?

You completed vocational training abroad. However, your qualification is not yet fully recognised in Germany. You may then be granted a residence permit for a qualification measure. This is at the authority's discretion.

With this residence permit, you may carry out measures to compensate for your identified deficits in professional knowledge, practical skills or language. These include, for example, vocational school courses, in-company training, preparatory courses for examinations or language courses.

The residence permit is valid for the duration of the measure. In total, you may receive it for a maximum of 2 years.

After successful completion, you can apply for a different residence permit. For example, for job-seeking or for employment as a skilled worker.

Requirements

Who qualifies?

You have a foreign professional qualification and a deficit assessment (Defizit-Bescheid) from the responsible recognition authority, which identifies deficits in professional knowledge, practical skills or language

Additional requirements

Your planned qualification measure must be suitable for compensating the identified deficits. For school-based qualification, the education provider must be state-recognised or AZAV-certified.
You require German language skills at level A2 and a secured livelihood of at least 1,091.20 euros per month (as of 2025).
You must have your main residence in Berlin and appear in person with an appointment.

How to apply

Obtain a deficit assessment (Defizit-Bescheid) from the responsible recognition authority for your profession

Find a suitable qualification measure that compensates for your identified deficits

Book an appointment at the LEA via the contact form for departments B 1-4 (preferably 8 weeks before your residence title expires)

Gather all documents: passport, deficit assessment, proof of the measure, German language skills A2, livelihood and health insurance

Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents

Done! You may receive the residence permit for up to 2 years. The authority will decide on your application.

Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more

100,00EUR

First-time issuance

Extension up to 3 months96,00 EUR
Extension over 3 months93,00 EUR
Turkish nationals up to age 2422,80 EUR
Turkish nationals from age 2437,00 EUR
Digital passport photo at self-service terminal6,00 EUR

Good to know

Does your work professionally relate to your recognition occupation? Then you may work without time limits. You need the approval of the Federal Employment Agency for this.

Abs. 2 erlaubt dem Ausländer die Ausübung einer zeitlich nicht eingeschränkten (aber den Anforderungen des Arbeitszeitgesetzes entsprechenden) Beschäftigung, wenn diese in einem berufsfachlichen Zusammenhang mit dem Beruf steht, für den die Gleichwertigkeit bzw. Berufszulassung beantragt worden ist.

VAB A.16d, S. 159-165

Your qualification could not be completed in time? If this was not your fault, the authority may extend beyond 36 months. This applies, for example, in the case of long waiting times for exams.

kann eine Verlängerung des Aufenthaltstitels auch über die gesetzliche Höchstaufenthaltsdauer hinaus erfolgen, wenn die Qualifizierungsmaßnahme abgeschlossen oder Prüfungen absolviert werden sollen, die aus Gründen, die nicht vom Ausländer zu vertreten sind, nicht innerhalb der Höchstaufenthaltsdauer abgeschlossen werden konnten.

VAB A.16d, S. 159-165

With this residence permit, you must not work on a self-employed basis. This is prohibited. You may only work as an employee.

Selbständige Tätigkeit nicht erlaubt.

VAB A.16d, S. 159-165

Contact & Responsibility

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The responsible department depends on your surname and/or nationality.

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