Residence permit for the employment of certain nationals

Citizens of certain countries can be granted a residence permit to work independently of qualification as a skilled worker.

Citizens of the following countries are eligible:
  • Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America
(Nationals of these countries can obtain a residence permit after entry without a visa.)

  • Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia
(Nationals of these countries require an entry visa that was issued for this job by a German agency abroad.)

The residence permit is issued for the duration of the approval granted by the Federal Employment Agency.
A new approval from the Federal Employment Agency is required to extend the residence permit or when changing employers.

Please note: Are you a specialist with academic education or vocational training?
Please read more about which residence permit is right for you in the "More information" section.

Prerequisites

  • Employment
    • There should already be an employment contract.
    • For nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America, a draft of the employment contract is sufficient.
  • Employment in Germany
    • An employment relationship in Germany must be established.
    • In the case of nationals from the states of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, the employer must also have a place of business in Germany.
  • Approval of the Federal Employment Agency
    • In general, the residence permit may only be granted if approved by the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)). The Berlin Immigration Office consults the BA in an internal procedure once the application for a residence permit has been submitted.
    • For nationals of Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and San Marino, approval must be obtained from the German diplomatic mission before entering the country.
  • Certain countries: Entry with a visa for employment
    Nationals of the following countries require an entry visa that was issued for this purpose by a German agency abroad: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and San Marino
  • Main residence in Berlin
  • Personal appearance by appointment is required

Documents required

  • Form "Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels" (filled out)
    Only required for the first application.
  • Form "Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis" (filled out)
  • Valid passport
  • 1 current biometric photo
    35mm x 45mm, frontal shot with neutral facial expression and closed mouth, looking straight into the camera, light background
  • Employment contract
    For nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America, a draft of the employment contract is sufficient.
  • Lease or proof of home ownership
  • Rental cost / expenses for property
    Supporting documents proving monthly rent costs (e.g. a current account statement) or the costs of the occupied property (original)
  • If the residence permit is being extended: Certificate of employment
    Certificate from the employer regarding the duration of the unfinished employment not older than 14 days)
  • If the residence permit is being extended for further employment with the same employer: Proof of salary
    Supporting documents on the net earnings from the first two months and the last two months
  • Proof of your health insurance
    in the case of statutory health insurance:
    • electronic health card with photograph
    • current confirmation of the health insurance

    in the case of a private health insurance scheme:
    • proof that you have paid your contributions, for example through account statements
    • certificate issued by the insurer (The certificate must state the type, scope and duration of the insurance. Please inform your insurer that you need the certificate for a residence permit for employment.)

    More on the topic in the section "More information"
  • Proof of main residence in Berlin
    • Certificate of registration at the main residence or
    • lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord
    More on the topic in the section "More information"

Forms

Fees

  • For the first issuance: 100.00 euros
  • For an extension by up to three months: 96.00 euros
  • For an extension by more than three months: 93.00 euros

Legal basis

Average time to process request

Around 5–6 weeks
A personal visit four to six weeks before the existing temporary residence title expires is best. If possible you should book an appointment for this.

More information

Hinweise zur Zuständigkeit

This service can only be taken advantage of in the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung – LEA) at Keplerstrasse.

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