Recognition partnership

If you would like to work in a non-regulated profession , you can be employed directly at skilled worker level as part of a recognition partnership. The employment must be related to the profession you have learned.

If you are seeking to work in a regulated profession, you can work as an assistant until you receive your professional license. If, for example, you are seeking recognition as a nurse or doctor, you can be employed as a care assistant until you are fully recognized.

Another advantage of the recognition partnership is that your professional recognition may be financially supported can be financially supported. For people in Germany, there are support measures such as the recognition grant.

You must meet the following requirements in order to obtain a visa for a recognition partnership:

• Proof of a state-recognized foreign university degree or training qualification: This is via a certificate evaluation or a Digital information on professional qualifications by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

• Concrete job offer: In the case of recognition of a non-regulated profession, this must be qualified employment and related to the training. In the case of regulated professions, you can work as an assistant until you receive your license to practice.

• Recognition partnership agreement with an employer: A written agreement is required stating that the employer will allow the recognition procedure to be carried out as part of the employment relationship. It can also be part of the employment contract.

• German language skills of at least level A2: Depending on the qualification measure required, a higher language level may also be necessary.

• Proof of suitability of the employer: As part of the visa procedure, it is checked whether the employer is suitable for a recognition partnership. They must prove that they have experience with vocational training or post-qualification.

The visa is initially issued for 12 months and can be extended for up to 3 years.

If full equivalence is established in the recognition procedure, the residence title can be changed to that of a skilled worker. There may also be an entitlement to an EU Blue Card if the salary is correspondingly high. Qualified employment is always a prerequisite.

If partial equivalence is established, the residence permit for the recognition partnership can be extended by up to 2 years if qualification measures to achieve full equivalence are completed during this time. Within the recognition partnership, the employer is obliged to make it possible to compensate for the deficits identified. This means, for example, that they will release you from work so that you can complete the qualification measure.