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Visa for employment within the framework of a recognition partnership
Within a recognition partnership, you can complete the recognition procedure with the support of your employer after entering Germany and start working at the same time.
General Information
If your vocational training has not been fully recognized by the relevant German authority, you can apply for a visa to obtain the necessary qualifications in Germany while simultaneously starting to work. The prerequisite is that you have already had your foreign vocational training assessed by the relevant authority in Germany and have found an institution to carry out the necessary adaptation measures. After completing the further training and achieving full recognition of your qualification, you can then apply for permanent residency in Germany.
Please note that there are academic degrees that are considered vocational training in Germany.
Required Documents
To apply, you will need the following documents (originals plus one set of copies) which need to be presented at your appointment.
Do not staple the submitted documents!
In your application form (VIDEX), you provide all information regarding your entry and stay in Germany. You must complete this form and print it out once.
If you are a minor, your legal guardians must sign the application and give their consent.
A current biometric photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm front facial view with a light background), stamped, not older than 3 months. Digitally altered pictures will not be accepted.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of visa issuance. Please note that the document must have at least two blank pages (your visa will be affixed here upon a positive decision).
If you do not possess Canadian citizenship, please provide us with your Canadian residence permit.
Please also provide the original residence permit in Canada on the day of your appointment.
Proof of your residence in Canada can be, for example, your Canadian driver's license, electricity bill, water bill, or gas bill.
Please sign the following declaration and bring the original with you to the appointment:
Employers in Germany can request prior approval from the Central Foreign and Specialized Placement (ZAV) before applying for a visa in Germany. Please present this document.
Please have this form completed by your future employer along with Supplement A.
Form: download here
Only language certificates from ALTE-certified providers are accepted.
If a German course is part of the qualification measure, please provide the enrollment confirmation from the language school, including the number of weekly hours for the booked course (intensive course with at least 18 hours per week) and proof of payment for the course fee.
If applicable, please include the registration for the knowledge examination, as stated in the deficit notice, and if necessary, the registration for the preparatory course for the knowledge examination.
Individuals with statutory health insurance coverage are adequately insured from the first day of employment. Please provide proof of your statutory health insurance coverage.
If you enter the country before your statutory health insurance coverage begins, you must obtain appropriate supplemental insurance.
If you are planning a long or permanent stay, some travel health insurances may exclude coverage in their terms. This limitation may also apply to “incoming” insurance, so please ensure you have sufficient coverage with your supplemental insurance.
If you do not have prior approval, please also submit the following additional documents along with the aforementioned requirements:
Written notice from the relevant authority in Germany regarding the necessity of adaptation or compensation measures for the determination of equivalence with your professional qualification or the issuance of permission to practice your profession (“Adjustment Qualification Plan”). You can find the relevant authority at www.Anerkennung-in-Deutschland.de
This document can be, for example, the diploma from your vocational training.
The translation of your proof of professional qualification into German or English must be performed by a certified translator.
Please provide us with your resume in either English or German.
In certain cases, additional documents may be required.
Processing Time
Due to the regular need for approval from authorities in Germany, you should generally allow 4 weeks for the processing of your visa application (calculated from the submission of the complete application documents at the foreign representation).
Fees
See Fees for Visa applications at the Consulate General Toronto
Online Application and Appointment Booking via the Consular Services Portal
You can apply for the visa online through the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office. After uploading your application and documents, your information will be checked for completeness. Any ambiguities will be clarified directly through the Portal. Once all documents have been verified online, you will receive an invitation link for appointment booking via the Portal.
During the subsequent appointment at the foreign representation, only your identity will be verified, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be collected, and the fee will be paid. Please also make sure to provide the original documents (listed in the checklist which is provided to you along with the appointment booking invitation link).
Click here for online application via the Consular Services Portal