The FEG and its opportunities for companies
The amendement of the Skilled Immigration Act makes it easier for the foreign skilled workers with vocational training and foreign individuals with practical knowledge to immigrate to Germany. This simplifies the recruitment of skilled workers from abroad. New access routes, for example by means of recognition partnerships or opportunity cards, will be added. The new regulations will come into force successively from November 2023 (largely in spring 2024). The upcoming changes are explained at "Make it in Germany".
The regulations currently in force under the Skilled Immigration Act (since March 1, 2020) are described below. The prerequisite for immigration is, in addition to sufficient German language skills, the recognition of the higher education or vocational qualification. Professional recognition is therefore a fixed component for immigration via this route. There are exceptions for IT specialists and professional drivers. In these professions, relevant professional experience and a corresponding salary are sufficient to be able to immigrate to Germany.
Essentially, there are three ways for specialists from third countries to come to Germany for employment purposes:
- for the purpose of taking up employment, if a job offer or contract is available,
- for job search (max. 6 months; trial employment up to 10h/week possible) and
- for qualification measures (max. 2 years) if deficits in comparison to a German qualification were previously identified in the recognition procedure. The qualification measure can also take place as an in-company adaptation qualification in a company.
In addition, the priority check is waived for skilled workers from third countries with the FEG, provided that the person has an employment contract in Germany, and the foreign qualification has been recognised. The previous restriction to so-called bottleneck occupations with a high shortage of skilled workers also no longer applies to skilled workers without academic training.
You can find out how the recognition process works in general, and how companies can support throughout the process in our section "Accompanying the recognition process".
Focus countries with high diploma recognition potential for recruiting skilled workers
For some countries, there is potential for skilled labour immigration on a significant scale in the coming years. In the search for foreign skilled workers, it is therefore worthwhile to take a look at these countries.
Our profiles on 16 focus countries with high potential for recruiting skilled workers include information on the economy and society in these countries, on the most important features of the vocational training systems and on current immigration and integration in Germany. The profiles are constantly being expanded to include additional countries.
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The fast-track procedure for skilled workers
You already know who you want to hire and would like to speed up the hiring process for the foreign professional? Companies have the option of using the so-called fast-track procedure for skilled workers (beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren) via the local immigration authority.
This means that, on the one hand, the recognition process is carried out in a shorter timeframe and, on the other hand, that the skilled worker's visa is granted more quickly. The result of the recognition procedure should be available within two months from the date of receipt of the complete application documents. There is an additional fee of 411 euros for the procedure.
With the authorisation from the professional worker, you can initiate the procedure via the responsible immigration authority in Germany. This gives you the authority to make all declarations and actions that are required for the diploma recognition procedure.
The procedure is based on Section 81a of the Residence Act (AufenthG). You can find more information on the accelerated procedure and a sample power of attorney at Make it in Germany.
Further information
In this section you will find further studies and reports on all aspects of skilled immigration and professional recognition in Germany.
Make it in Germany produced a video exlaining the fast-track procedure for skilled workers (§ 81a of the Residence Act).