VISAHJELP

Skilled workers with vocational training

National (long-stay) visa for taking up qualified employment in Germany with a recognised vocational qualification (residence title for the purpose of employment under § 18a of the Residence Act). Requires a concrete job offer for a qualified position and an Anerkennungsbescheid (formal recognition decision) from the responsible body in Germany for your foreign vocational qualification. Where only partial recognition is granted, the Recognition-of-Foreign-Qualifications visa should be pursued instead.

LAST VERIFIED · 2026-05-02 SOURCE: Auswärtiges Amt · Independent · not affiliated

From Auswärtiges Amt

“The visa decision is made by the German consular post in Vietnam. This visa category typically requires the consent of the foreigners-authority responsible for your future work location; a Vorabzustimmung from the Federal Employment Agency or the responsible foreigners-authority materially shortens processing. Note: applicants aged 45 and over must show adequate retirement provision. Suitable evidence of old-age security (e.g. real estate, securities, insurance) must be presented already at the time of application.”
— Federal Foreign Office of Germany · German diplomatic missions

What you need

  • You must show an Anerkennungsbescheid from the responsible body in Germany for your vocational qualification (recognition procedure via www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de); a concrete job offer with a task description and gross annual salary for a qualified position; the Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis (employer's declaration of the employment relationship) in original, completed by your future employer; a tabular CV; a passport; and medical-insurance cover until you start work. For regulated professions, you must additionally show the licence to practise (Berufsausübungserlaubnis) and language proof. A Vorabzustimmung from the Federal Employment Agency or the responsible foreigners-authority materially shortens processing.

Checklist

12
01

Application and identity

  • Application form for national visas, completely filled out and signed by the applicant (online application form „VIDEX") *
  • Two recent biometric passport photos (45 mm x 35 mm) (photo specifications template). Please glue only one photo onto the application form and bring the second loose *
  • Valid passport (or a recognised substitute travel document) *
02

Curriculum vitae

  • Tabular and complete CV. In particular setting out your prior education and employment *
03

Qualification, job offer, and pre-approval

  • (Optional) Vorabzustimmung. If your employer has already obtained the consent of the Federal Employment Agency or the responsible foreigners-authority in Germany before the visa procedure begins, the consular post's processing time is materially shortened
  • Concrete job offer. Employment contract or binding job offer with a task description, gross annual salary, and information on the language skills required. The intended activity must constitute qualified employment. Qualified employment exists where its performance requires the skills, knowledge, and abilities acquired through a course of study or through qualified vocational training *
  • Declaration of the employment relationship (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) in original. The form must be completely filled in by the future employer *
  • Recognition decision (Anerkennungsbescheid). Decision from the responsible body in Germany for your training. You can find the responsible body and further information on recognition at: www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. If you have received only a partial recognition decision — i.e., it was determined that you still need to complete additional qualification measures in Germany — please apply for a visa for recognition of a professional qualification instead *
  • If applicable, work-experience evidence. If you have already gathered work experience, please submit corresponding employment references or employer confirmations
04

Regulated professions and language proof

  • If applicable, licence to practise (Berufsausübungserlaubnis). For certain professions — in particular in medicine (so-called regulated professions) — a licence to practise is required. You can check whether this applies to you at www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de
  • If applicable, language certificate. For regulated professions, German skills at a particular level must be proven. You can check the level required at www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. For all other cases, proof of relevant language skills is not mandatory but improves the plausibility of the visa application
05

Medical insurance

  • Proof of adequate medical insurance for entry, valid from your intended entry date until you start work *

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