Important steps in the procedure
 

1. Authorization of the company – The skilled worker grants the company power of attorney. The company applies for the procedure on behalf of the skilled worker at the relevant immigration office.
2. Contacting the immigration office – The immigration office provides information about the next steps and the required documents.
3. Agreement between the company and the immigration office – An official agreement is concluded that regulates the obligations and deadlines of all parties involved.
4. Recognition of professional qualifications – The foreign professional qualification is examined and compared with a German reference occupation.
5. Visa procedure – Once the preliminary examination has been successfully completed, the skilled worker can apply for a visa at the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad. 

Requirements
 

1. The skilled worker must have a recognized and valid passport.
2. There must be a concrete job offer.
3. The procedure can also be used for people in IT professions or for researchers.
4. The procedure is subject to a fee, and the processing fee is EUR 411. However, it does not automatically guarantee the issuance of a visa.