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Skilled Employees and Work Visas
Lawyer for skilled worker immigration: Overview page on skilled worker immigration and applying for German work visas.
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About this Page
Skilled immigration is a broad area of law. It primarily encompasses the Residence Act (AufenthG) and the Employment Ordinance (BeschV). Within the Residence Act, skilled immigration is regulated in particular in Sections 18–20a of the Residence Act, i.e., Section 4 of the Residence Act (AufenthG).
On this overview page, you will find a list of all VISAGUARD articles on the topics of skilled immigration , work visas, and labor law for foreigners (expat law). A focus is placed on skilled immigration for academic professionals, particularly the EU Blue Card pursuant to Section 18g of the Residence Act .
Table of Contents
1. What is skilled immigration?
2. What are skilled workers?
3. Principle of skilled immigration
4. Important residence permits for skilled workers
5. Skilled Immigration Act (PDF)
6. Central Office for Skilled Immigration NRW
7. Importance of skilled immigration
8. FAQ
9. Conclusion
10. VISAGUARD Guides on Skilled Immigration
1. What is skilled immigration?
Skilled immigration refers to the targeted immigration of qualified workers from abroad to Germany. In contrast to the broader definition of labor migration, skilled immigration only includes migrant workers with vocational or academic training ( Sections 18 et seq. of the Residence Act ). Self-employed workers and freelancers (Section 21 of the Residence Act) are not considered skilled workers within the meaning of the Residence Act, as they are not employed as dependents (but rather as self-employed).
Skilled immigration law primarily deals with the conditions and procedures for granting residence permits to foreign skilled workers. These include:
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Employment visas for skilled workers
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Residence permit for skilled workers
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Settlement permit for long-term labor migration
2. What are skilled workers?
The term "skilled worker" is defined by law (so-called legal definition). According to Section 18, Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act, anyone who possesses one of the following qualifications is recognized as a skilled worker :
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a qualified domestic vocational training, or
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an equivalent foreign professional qualification (including academic degrees).
If the skilled worker completed their vocational or academic training abroad, the foreign training must be recognized in Germany. In the case of academic skilled workers, recognition is verified using the publicly accessible Anabin database . For vocational training, a different recognition process is usually required depending on the profession and federal state.
Specialist Articles on the Topic
5. Skilled Immigration Act (PDF)
The legal regulations governing skilled immigration were introduced through various Skilled Immigration Acts (FEG) . However, these Skilled Immigration Acts are not directly applicable legal norms, but rather articles of law that have modified the Residence Act and the Employment Ordinance . The Skilled Immigration Acts are therefore part of the Residence Act (and the Employment Ordinance).
The previous skilled immigration laws can be found here:
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1. Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) of 15 August 2019 (PDF): Facilitating the immigration of qualified skilled workers from third countries, new regulations on residence permits for skilled workers, facilitation for those with professional qualifications.
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2. Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) of August 16, 2023 (PDF): Introduction of the Recognition Partnership, the Opportunity Card, and other simplifications for skilled workers with professional experience.
7. Importance of skilled immigration
Given the shortage of skilled workers, targeted recruitment from abroad is essential for many companies. The legal simplifications provided by skilled immigration laws facilitate entry and labor market access for qualified specialists. For companies, this means simplified application procedures and better planning for recruitment. The guides below provide skilled workers and companies with the necessary information to process skilled immigration quickly and legally.
8. FAQ Fachkräfteeinwanderung Deutschland
8. FAQ Skilled Immigration to Germany
What is meant by skilled immigration?
Skilled immigration refers to the targeted immigration of qualified workers from abroad to Germany. It is regulated by the Skilled Immigration Act (FEG), which is integrated into the Residence Act (AufenthG), and is intended to help companies fill vacancies with suitable foreign skilled workers.
What requirements must foreign skilled workers meet?
In order to immigrate to Germany as a skilled worker, foreign workers must generally meet the following requirements:
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A recognized qualification (professional qualification or university degree)
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An employment contract / job offer with sufficient salary
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If necessary: A professional license
What visa categories are there for skilled workers?
The main types of visas for skilled workers include:
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EU Blue Card
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Visa for employment as an academic professional
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Visa for employment as a skilled worker with vocational training
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Opportunity map for skilled workers
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ICT cards and postings
What challenges are there with skilled immigration?
Common challenges for skilled workers and companies in recognition procedures are:
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Long processing times for visas and recognition procedures
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Bureaucratic hurdles in Germany
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Language barriers in integration
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Lack of advice for employers and skilled workers
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High requirements for evidence and documents
9. Conclusion Skilled Immigration
Skilled immigration is a central component of German labor market and migration policy. It provides qualified workers from abroad with legally regulated access to the German labor market and thus makes a significant contribution to securing the skilled labor base in Germany. The legal regulations in the Residence Act, the Employment Ordinance, and the Skilled Immigration Acts of 2019 and 2023 create clear framework conditions that take into account the interests of both the economy and those of skilled workers. For companies, skilled immigration represents a predictable and legally secure opportunity to recruit urgently needed expertise from abroad. At the same time, the recognition of foreign qualifications and special residence permits such as the EU Blue Card or the settlement permit promote the integration of skilled workers into the labor market and society. Overall, skilled immigration not only strengthens the German economy but also supports the sustainable social integration of qualified immigrants.
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List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] Hocks/Leuschner in Hofmann, Aliens Law | Residence Act § 18 | 3rd edition 2023
[2] Dippe in Huber/Mantel Residence Act | Residence Act § 18 | 4th edition 2025
[3] Mävers in Offer/Mävers | Residence Act § 18 | 2nd edition 2022
[4] BeckOF Immigration and Migration Law | 1. 1.8 | 11th Edition 2025
[5] Experts on the Skilled Immigration Act: Not yet sufficient
Report from 03.06.2019, editorial staff beck-aktuell
[6] Cabinet approves new skilled immigration law
Report from March 29, 2023, beck-aktuell editorial team
[7] Heil and Faeser in Canada: What constitutes an immigration society?
6. Central Office for Skilled Immigration NRW
A key component of the skilled immigration laws are the central immigration authorities . According to the law, each federal state is required to establish such a central skilled immigration authority ( Section 71, Paragraph 1, Sentence 6 of the Residence Act ). This has not been consistently implemented in all federal states (but see, for example , our blog post: Lower Saxony Gets New Central Skilled Immigration Authority ). The Central Office for Skilled Immigration North Rhine-Westphalia (ZFE NRW) is particularly prominent. It processes a high number of applications from nursing staff, as NRW is a significant medical center.
3. Principle of skilled immigration
Skilled worker immigration in Germany is primarily regulated by the Residence Act (AufenthG) and the Employment Ordinance (BeschV). Section 4 of the Residence Act deals with residence for the purpose of gainful employment and begins with the principle of skilled worker immigration ( Section 18 AufenthG ). According to the principle of skilled worker immigration, the admission of foreign workers is based on the requirements of Germany as a location for business and science, taking into account the conditions on the labor market. Skilled worker immigration serves to secure the skilled worker and labor force base and to strengthen the social security systems. They are geared towards the sustainable integration of skilled workers and workers with extensive professional experience into the labor market and society, while taking into account the interests of public safety.
4. Important residence permits for skilled workers
The term skilled immigration includes in particular the following residence permits:
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Skilled workers with vocational and academic training (§§ 18a, 18b Residence Act)
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EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act)
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Researchers (§§ 18d ff. Residence Act)
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ICT card (§§ 19 ff. Residence Act)
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Settlement permit for skilled workers (Section 18c of the Residence Act)
