Discretion is usually exercised in your favour

The authority has discretion for this title. However, with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency, it generally decides in your favour. It is therefore a discretionary decision with good prospects.

This title is only considered after other options have been reviewed

The authority first checks whether you can receive a residence permit as a skilled worker. Only if that is not possible does it review this title. This is the prescribed order.

For practical professional skills, discretion is always exercised positively

Do you have practical professional skills without formal training? Then discretion is always exercised in your favour when the Federal Employment Agency approves. This is a particularly good starting position.

Apply for a Residence Permit for Employment of Certain Nationals

As a national of certain countries, you can work in Germany without a skilled worker qualification.

At a glance

How can you get a residence permit for employment as a national of certain countries?

You are a national of a certain country and you want to work in Germany. You may be granted a residence permit for employment. You do not need a skilled worker qualification for this. The authority decides on a case-by-case basis.

This rule applies to two groups of countries. The first group includes Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the USA. You can apply for the residence permit after entering without a visa. The second group includes Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, and Serbia. You need a national visa (D-Visa) to enter.

The residence permit is issued for the duration of the approval granted by the Federal Employment Agency. For an extension or a change of employer, you need a new approval.

Note: If you have a skilled worker qualification, find out about other residence titles that may be better suited to your situation.

Requirements

Who qualifies?

You are a national of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the USA, and you entered Germany no more than 90 days ago, or you already hold a residence permit.
You are a national of Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, or Serbia and you hold a national D visa for employment.

Additional requirements

You need an employment contract (or, for the first country group, a draft) and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. The LEA requests this approval through an internal procedure.
The employment must take place in Germany. For nationals of Western Balkan states, the employer must have a place of business in Germany.
You must have adequate health insurance and your primary residence must be in Berlin.

How to apply

Submit the online application for a temporary residence title for employment and have all documents ready in PDF format.

Pay the fee by credit card or PayPal before submitting the application.

Upload the employment contract, the declaration on the employment relationship, copies of your passport, and all other required documents.

Wait for the review by the LEA (Landesamt für Einwanderung – Berlin's immigration authority). The authority will obtain the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

Attend your appointment and bring all documents listed in the invitation letter.

Well done! You may be granted the residence permit. The authority will make a discretionary decision on your application.

Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis

100.00EUR

Initial Issuance

Extension of up to 3 months96.00 EUR
Extension beyond 3 months93.00 EUR
Turkish nationals up to 24 years of age22.80 EUR
Turkish nationals aged 24 and above37.00 EUR

Good to know

After 2 years of employment subject to social insurance contributions, you may take any job. You are then no longer restricted to a specific activity. This rule is stated as a condition on your residence title.

Nach 2jähriger versicherungspflichtigen Beschäftigung ist Beschäftigung jeder Art erlaubt.

VAB A.19c/D.26, S. 223-811

Your residence permit may contain a condition that self-employment is permitted. You may then run your own business alongside your employment.

Selbständige Tätigkeit erlaubt.

VAB A.19c/D.26, S. 223-811

Are you dismissed during the validity of your title? Submit a new application within your notice period. Your stay is then provisionally deemed to continue as permitted (Fiktionswirkung / continuation effect).

Sollte ein Arbeitsverhältnis während der Gültigkeit des Titels gekündigt werden, hat der Arbeitnehmer im Rahmen seiner gesetzlichen Kündigungsfrist Zeit, einen Antrag zu stellen. Dieser entfaltet Fiktionswirkung nach § 81 (4).

VAB A.19c/D.26, S. 223-811

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