Accelerated skilled worker procedure
The accelerated skilled worker procedure helps you bring qualified professionals to Germany faster.
At a glance
How can you as an employer bring a skilled worker to Germany faster?
You want to hire a skilled worker from a country outside the EU? Then the individual steps often take a long time. The recognition of qualifications, the approval by the Federal Employment Agency and the visa issuance take a lot of time. The accelerated skilled worker procedure can significantly speed up this process.
The procedure has two major advantages. First, there are legally shorter deadlines for each step. Second, the Business Immigration Service (BIS) of the Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) serves as your central point of contact. The BIS coordinates all steps for you.
After all reviews are completed, the BIS approves the visa issuance to the responsible German embassy or consulate. You can also use the procedure for family reunification of spouses and children. Requirement: They must be expected to enter Germany within 6 months after the skilled worker.
Important: The procedure only applies to entries from abroad. If the skilled worker is already in Germany, you cannot use it. Additionally, the accelerated skilled worker procedure is voluntary. The regular visa procedure remains available to the skilled worker and their family members.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You are an employer who wants to hire a foreign skilled worker with a qualified vocational training or a university degree
- The skilled worker has a domestic qualified vocational training, an equivalent foreign professional qualification, or a recognized or comparable university degree
- An employment contract or at least a draft already exists
Additional requirements
- Your business premises must be in Berlin. It does not matter where the skilled worker will live.
- The skilled worker is still abroad and has not yet applied for a visa. This also applies to accompanying spouses and children.
- In some cases, the skilled worker and the spouse need German language skills. You will receive individual advice on this.
- Valid passports must be available for the skilled worker and their family members.
- Those with statutory health insurance are sufficiently insured. Those with private health insurance must pay attention to the type and scope of their coverage.
- The skilled worker must issue a power of attorney to you as the employer for the procedure. Family members must also do this if they want to use the procedure.
- You or your service provider must be registered as a client with the BIS of the State Office for Immigration.
- Before starting the procedure, you sign a written agreement with the BIS. It describes the processes, deadlines, required documents and powers of attorney.
How to apply
Register yourself or your service provider as a client with the Business Immigration Service (BIS) of the Berlin State Office for Immigration
Sign a written agreement with the BIS — it sets out the processes, deadlines and required documents
Gather all necessary documents: passport copies, training certificates, CV, employment contract, powers of attorney and job description
Submit the documents to the BIS — the BIS coordinates the recognition of qualifications and the approval by the Federal Employment Agency
Wait for the completion of the reviews — thanks to legally shorter deadlines, this is faster than the regular procedure
Done! After a positive review, the BIS approves the visa issuance and the skilled worker can schedule their appointment at the German embassy or consulate
Accelerated skilled worker procedure
Good to know
You can receive a visa for a full year. This allows you to start working immediately after entry. You then apply for the residence permit in good time through the BIS.
die Visa, die nach Vorabzustimmung im beschleunigten Verfahren im Rahmen der Möglichkeiten des Art. 18 Abs. 1 SDÜ für ein Jahr ausgestellt werden, so dass die Beschäftigung unmittelbar nach Einreise aufgenommen werden kann
VAB A.81a, S. 585-589
The recognition body must decide within 2 months. The Federal Employment Agency has only 1 week. The embassy gives you an appointment within 3 weeks.
verbindliche Bearbeitungsfristen festgelegt sind, so für die Ausländerbehörde (Absatz 3 Nummern 3 und 6), für die für berufliche Anerkennung zuständigen Stellen (z. B. § 14a Abs. 3 Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz – Entscheidung 2 Monate nach Vorlage der vollständigen Unterlagen), für die Bundesagentur für Arbeit (§ 36 Absatz 2 Satz 2 BeschV) und für die Auslandsvertretungen (§ 31a AufenthV -Terminvergabe innerhalb von 3 Wochen nach Vorlage der Vorabzustimmung die Bescheidung drei Wochen nach Stellung des vollständigen Visumsantrags)
VAB A.81a, S. 585-589
Your family can also use the accelerated procedure. The time connection applies within the first 6 months after your entry. The BIS must inform your employer about any necessary language requirements.
Ein zeitlicher Zusammenhang im Sinne der Vorschrift besteht immer in den ersten sechs Monaten gerechnet ab Einreise der Fachkraft
VAB A.81a, S. 585-589
Contact & Responsibility
Business Immigration Service
Business Immigration
Business Immigration Service für Fach- und Führungskräfte, beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren
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Accelerated skilled worker procedure
At least 15 weeks between initiating the procedure and receiving the entry visa: approx. 8 weeks for qualification recognition, approx. 1 week for Federal Employment Agency involvement, approx. 6 weeks for the appointment at the German mission abroad and visa issuance.