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Work Permit for Foreigners

All information on applying for a work permit for foreigners in Germany (working with a visa and residence permit).

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About this Page

A work permit is of great importance in the area of skilled worker immigration , as all skilled worker immigration titles require a work permit. This work permit is usually based on approval from the Federal Employment Agency (so called "Bundesagentur für Arbeit"; exceptions exist, however, for example, with the EU Blue Card ). Approval from the Federal Employment Agency is, in most cases, a prerequisite for issuing a skilled worker title/permit or work visa.

 

On this page, you'll find important information about applying for a work permit in Germany. These step-by-step instructions for foreign nationals who want to work in Germany are extremely practical. Therefore, every foreign national (apart from a few exceptions) generally requires a work permit ( Section 4a of the Residence Act ) to work in Germany. On this page, you'll find the necessary information to apply for a work permit at the immigration office or foreign representations (embassies and consulates).

Table of Contents

1. Work permit as part of the residence permit

2. Difference between work permit and BA approval

3. Defendant refusal of work permit

4. Requirements and procedures for work permits

5. FAQ Work permit for foreigners

6. Conclusion Work permit for foreigners

7. VISAGUARD Work Permit Guides

1. Work permit as part of the residence permit

In the vast majority of cases, a work permit for foreign nationals is part of the residence permit. Although the work permit is issued as a separate (internal administrative) legal act, it is then integrated into the residence permit as a secondary condition . It is then often placed in the field for additional comments (e.g., " Employment with ... as ... permitted "). In principle, a work permit can also be issued independently of the residence permit. However, this only occurs in special circumstances and is not the norm.

2. Difference between work permit and BA approval

Legally speaking, the work permit must be strictly separated from the so-called approval by the Federal Employment Agency . While the Federal Employment Agency reviews the working conditions and the employment contract, it is not the authority that ultimately issues the work permit with external effect. It is only the approving authority in relation to the immigration authorities or foreign mission, not the authority that grants the permit. This applies even if there is direct communication with the Federal Employment Agency. Therefore, you are only permitted to work once the immigration authorities or foreign mission have issued the residence permit (residence permit or visa), and not once the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) has granted formal approval.

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Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!

3. Defendant refusal of work permit

Since the Federal Employment Agency is not the authority that issues the work permit, it is also not the defendant in the event of a residence permit being refused. This applies even if the residence permit is refused because the Federal Employment Agency did not approve it. In these cases, the defendant is still the immigration authority or embassy, since the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is not an administrative act pursuant to Section 35 of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG ). This legal situation has long been criticized by labor migration lawyers, as it means that employers have no legal recourse if a work permit is refused. In this respect, the permit granting procedure (and thus the work permit refusal) takes place between the authority and the employee, meaning that the employer has no procedural rights. This applies even if the employer conducts the approval procedure with the Federal Employment Agency (e.g. in the accelerated skilled worker procedure ).

3. Klagegegner Ablehnung Arbeitserlaubnis

4. Voraussetzungen und Verfahren Arbeitserlaubnis

4. Requirements and procedures for work permits

The requirements for a work permit are generally always a certain minimum salary (see VISAGUARD article "Minimum Salary for Skilled Workers" ) and a legal employment contract (see Expat Law ). This is verified by the Federal Employment Agency. The verification of other requirements for issuing the permit (e.g., means of subsistence ) is not carried out by the Federal Employment Agency, but by the issuing agency (e.g., immigration authorities or embassy).

 

The process for applying for a work permit as part of a residence permit varies depending on the type of application. In most cases, the applicant submits a declaration of employment to the embassy or immigration office, which then forwards the declaration to the Federal Employment Agency. After the review is complete, the Federal Employment Agency then informs the immigration office or embassy of the result (internal approval procedure). However, different procedures apply for the accelerated skilled worker procedure and for advance approval .

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Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!

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5. FAQ Work Permit Visa

Is the work permit a separate title or part of the residence permit?
In most cases, the work permit is part of the residence permit. Although it is legally issued as a separate administrative act, it is integrated into the residence permit as a secondary condition.

Can a work permit be issued independently of a residence permit?
Yes, this is possible, but it only occurs in special circumstances and is not the norm.

What role does the Federal Employment Agency (BA) play in the work permit process?
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) reviews the employment contract and working conditions. However, it does not issue a work permit; it merely grants approval in the administrative procedure. You may only work once the immigration office or foreign mission has issued a residence permit.

Who is the defendant if a work permit is refused?
The defendant is the immigration authority or the embassy, not the Federal Employment Agency. Even if the BA refuses its consent, it is not the authority against which a lawsuit can be filed.

What requirements must be met to obtain a work permit?
Important requirements include a legal employment contract and compliance with a certain minimum salary. While the Federal Employment Agency (BA) reviews these points, the immigration authorities assess additional aspects such as securing a livelihood.

How does the application process work?
Typically, the applicant submits the declaration of employment to the embassy or immigration office. The latter forwards the documents to the Federal Employment Agency, which reviews them and reports the results. Special procedures apply to the accelerated skilled worker procedure and pre-approval.

6. Conclusion Work permit visa
In Germany, the work permit is closely linked to the residence permit and, in practice, is usually issued as part of the same. While the Federal Employment Agency examines the working conditions , the immigration authority or embassy ultimately decides whether to grant the residence permit with a work permit. Employers have no procedural rights of their own in the process and cannot directly challenge decisions if the employee does not support them.

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All information on the requirements and procedures for changing employers.

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Age limit for work visa

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Priority check

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Declaration of employment relationship

Help with filling out and important explanations for the declaration of employment relationship (EZB) from the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

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Anabin

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Approval of the Federal Employment Agency

All information from the lawyer on applying for permission to take up employment from the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

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Unlimited Work Permit

Find out from a lawyer when you, as a foreigner, are allowed to work in Germany without restrictions.

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Compensation for damages from the immigration authorities

All important information from a lawyer on the subject of compensation against the immigration authorities in the event of loss of wages.

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Work visa, §§ 18 ff. Residence Act

All information from the immigration lawyer: Information on applying for a work visa in Germany.

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Obtain a Work Permit

All information from a lawyer on applying for a work permit in Germany.

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