Among others, the following residence permits can be applied for:

• EU Blue Card
  TheEU Blue Card is a special residence permit for foreign academics or individuals with comparable qualifications who wish to take up skilled employment in Germany. Further information on this can be found in the separate service description under “Related Topics.”

• Residence Permit for Skilled Workers
  Foreign nationals who have completed qualified vocational training or a degree program (including outside Germany) and have a job offer may obtain a residence permit under Section 18a of the Act on the Residence, Employment, and Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Federal Territory (Residence Act—AufenthG) or Section 18b of the Residence Act to take up qualified employment in Germany as a skilled worker.

• Residence Permit for Experienced Professionals
  Experienced professionals with extensive practical work experience have good career prospects in Germany if they wish to work in non-regulated professions. They may then obtain a residence permit to pursue qualified employment in Germany. Formal recognition of their degree in Germany is not required for this. Special exemptions apply in particular to IT professions.

• Opportunity Card for Job Search
  The Opportunity Card allows entry into the country to search for a job. It is issued if the applicant either holds a recognized professional qualification or has completed a recognized foreign vocational training program and achieves a certain minimum number of points under a points-based system.

• Residence Permit for the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications and Recognition Partnership
  If it is determined during a recognition procedure that the foreign qualification cannot be fully recognized, there is the option to attend qualification programs in Germany to acquire the missing theoretical and/or practical skills. These may include, for example, on-the-job training, specialized training programs, preparatory courses, or job-related German language courses. Under certain conditions, you may also work while participating in the qualification program. Alternatively, under certain conditions, you may have the recognition process conducted only after entering Germany and work in your intended profession at the same time.
• Residence Permit for Researchers
  A residence permit may also be applied for for the purpose of research.
• (Mobile) ICT Card
  Third-country nationals who are temporarily seconded to Germany by their employer—which is headquartered in a third country—within a company or a group of companies may also apply for the corresponding residence permit. ICT stands for “intra-corporate transfer” or “intra-corporate transferee”; such individuals may apply for the corresponding residence permit. Foreign employees who already hold an ICT card in another EU country may be transferred to Germany for more than 90 days within the same company or corporate group and may apply for a Mobile ICT Card for this purpose.

• Residence Permit for Self-Employment
  A residence permit is required forself-employment as a business owner or freelancer.

 

In addition, there are several special provisions. The most important ones are:

• Special Provision for Nursing Assistants
  The German labor market is also open to nursing assistants from third countries. This means that individuals who have completed nursing training that is not considered qualified vocational training, or who have had such training recognized (nursing assistants), may work in nursing roles.

• Study-Related Internship (EU)
  Students from foreign universities or foreign nationals who have earned a university degree within the last two years may, under certain conditions, receive a residence permit for a study-related internship.

• Special Regulation for Professional Drivers
  Drivers of trucks or buses who hold the required driver’s license and the (accelerated) EU or EEA initial qualification may obtain a residence permit for their work.

• Western Balkans Regulation
  Citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia may, within the framework of a quota, work in Germany regardless of their qualifications. Further information on this can be found in the separate service description under “Related Topics.”

• 
  Au Pair Program The au pair program involves the temporary placement of foreign nationals between the ages of 18 and 27 with a German host family. For the foreign national, the focus is on cultural immersion and improving German language skills. In exchange for this learning experience, the au pair assists the host parents in caring for their minor children.

• Other Specific Nationalities
  For nationals of Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (within the meaning of Section 1(2)(6) of the Act on the General Freedom of Movement of Union Citizens (Freedom of Movement Act/EU - FreizügG/EU) and the United States of America, a residence permit may be granted to engage in any occupation, regardless of the employer’s place of business.