Skilled Worker Visa (Section 18)
🇩🇪 Germany visas · Work
What it is
Residence permit for qualified professionals with a German-recognised vocational or academic qualification and a specific job offer in Germany.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Up to 4 years (or duration of contract plus 3 months if shorter)
- Processing time
- Not specified on page
- Maximum validity
- 4 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- How to apply
- Embassy
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (national (D) visa to enter)
- EUR 75
- Application fee (residence permit, issued after arrival)
- EUR 100
Key requirements
- Vocational or academic qualification recognised in Germany or comparable to a German qualification
- Specific job offer from a German employer
- Licence to practice in regulated professions (e.g. healthcare)
- Applicants over 45 must earn at least EUR 55,770 gross per year (2026) or show adequate pension provisions
- Job does not have to be related to the qualification
Working on this visa
Full access to any qualified employment (jede qualifizierte Beschäftigung) for an academic skilled worker; no weekly hour cap.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 27 July 2026.