If you have extensive professional experience, you can obtain a residence permit to work in the field of information and communication technology (IT sector).

To do so, you must have worked in the IT sector for at least three of the last seven years and have acquired extensive skills and knowledge in your field of work. In addition, the granting of such a residence permit requires that you have an employment contract or a concrete job offer with a certain minimum salary.

You do not need to have completed any qualified vocational training or a degree. Recognition of your qualifications obtained abroad is also not required. It may be helpful if, in addition to your many years of professional experience, you can also demonstrate relevant theoretical knowledge (e.g., through certificates or diplomas).

Before the residence permit is issued, the Federal Employment Agency must approve the employment. It also checks whether certain requirements can be waived. The Federal Employment Agency grants its approval for a maximum of four years.

The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on your employment contract or the period of validity of the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

Under certain circumstances, the Foreigners' Registration Office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit. 

If you are an employer and would like to hire an IT specialist from abroad, you can apply to the immigration office on behalf of the foreign national for the fast-tracked skilled worker procedure, which can facilitate and accelerate the entry of skilled workers.

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and, if required for entry, an appropriate visa.
• There are no grounds for your expulsion.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have worked in the IT sector for at least three years within the last seven years.
• You have an employment contract or a binding job offer in the field of information and communication technology.
• Your salary will reach at least 60% of the contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance. In 2020, 60% corresponds to a gross minimum salary of EUR 4,140 per month or EUR 49,680 per year (limit applies to the entire federal territory). The contribution assessment ceiling is announced each year by December 31 of the previous year by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community in the Federal Gazette (see further information).
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance independently without claiming public benefits.
• You have sufficient German language skills. This corresponds to language level B1. In individual cases, the German language requirement may be waived. If you wish to be exempted from this requirement, you must apply for this and provide reasons.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved your employment (approval is usually obtained from the immigration office). In order to obtain approval, your working conditions (in particular your salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

You must apply for a residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the immigration office and your specific situation, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your immigration office offers electronic applications for residence permits.
• If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment with the immigration office.
  During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If you apply electronically, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the immigration office if necessary. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If your application is approved, the immigration office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• The eAT card must always be picked up in person.

There are fees for issuing the residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

• Federal Government portal for skilled workers from abroad
  https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/ueber-das-portal/kontakt/hotline/
• Information on residence for skilled workers without vocational training or academic qualifications, including IT specialists without formal qualifications, on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (in German):  https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/FachkraefteOhneAusbildung/fachkraefte-ohne-ausbildung-node.html
• Information on the residence of skilled workers without vocational training or academic education, including IT specialists without formal qualifications, on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (English):
  https://www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/FachkraefteOhneAusbildung/fachkraefte-ohne-ausbildung-node.html
• This link will take you to the annual announcements by the Federal Ministry of the Interior regarding the minimum salary required for a residence permit for IT specialists without formal qualifications: Open the website of the Federal Gazette and enter the words "Announcement regarding § 6 of the Employment Regulation" in the search box.
• You can also get free advice on entry, residence, and employment from the "Hotline Working and Living in Germany" on the German government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.
  Phone: 030
  1815-1111 Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Section 19c (2) of the Residence Act

Section 42 (1) No. 2 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 6 of the Employment Regulation (BeschV)

• The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid visa or residence permit expires.
• The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on the duration of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Appeal period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence;

For the fast-track procedure for skilled workers:

The immigration office at the location of the place of business where the foreign national is to be employed, unless a central office has been set up to carry out the procedure.

• Valid passport
• Proof of at least three years of professional experience within the last seven years
• If available, further evidence of your theoretical knowledge (e.g., certificates)
• Your language certificate level B1
• Original copy of your employment contract or a binding job offer with salary details (please use the standard federal form Declaration of Employment Relationship )
• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Proof of your health insurance
• Rental agreement
•  
• In addition
• if you have recently entered the country:
• Visa, if required for entry
•  
• and in the case of a previous stay:
• Current residence permit or other certificate of right of residence (e.g., temporary residence permit, tolerated stay)
• Further documents are required for the employer to carry out the accelerated skilled worker procedure. Please contact the relevant immigration authority for this.

Issuance of residence permit: EUR 100.00

Amendment of an existing residence permit to obtain a residence permit for the purpose of employment with extensive professional experience (change of purpose): EUR 98.00

Under certain conditions, a reduction or exemption from fees may be considered.

Note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title. The fee for reissuing the card is EUR 67.00.

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardized nationwide); additional forms specific to your local authorities can be obtained from your immigration office; these may also be available online
• Online procedure possible: in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes