{"id":5606,"date":"2025-12-08T12:31:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T12:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/?p=5606"},"modified":"2026-03-24T11:10:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T11:10:35","slug":"aufenthaltserlaubnis-fuer-fachkraefte-nach-18a-aufenthg-fachkraefte-mit-berufsausbildung-und-18b-aufenthg-fachkraefte-mit-akademischer-ausbildung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/en\/residence-permit-for-skilled-workers-after-18a-residence-permit-for-skilled-workers-with-vocational-training-and-18b-residence-permit-for-skilled-workers-with-academic-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Residence permit for skilled workers: \u00a7\u00a7 18a and 18b Residence Act \u2014 Requirements, salaries and procedures"},"content":{"rendered":"

You have a concrete job offer in Germany \u2013 or your employer wants to hire a foreign skilled worker. But which residence permit is suitable, what are the requirements, and how high does the salary need to be? Since the reformed Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) came into force in three stages between November 2023 and June 2024, much has improved \u2013 but also become more complicated.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article explains the two central residence permits for skilled workers from non-EU countries: <\/span>Section 18a AufenthG:<\/b> (Vocational training) and <\/span>Section 18b AufenthG:<\/b> (academic education). Furthermore: the EU Blue Card, the recognition partnership, and the pathway to <\/span>Settlement permit<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note:<\/b> This post is for general guidance only and does not replace individual legal advice. Residency rights are dependent on the specific case \u2013 please consult a <\/span>Specialist lawyer for immigration law<\/span><\/a> Consult before submitting an application.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>The most important change since 2024: From discretion to entitlement<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Before November 2023, \u00a7\u00a7 18a and 18b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) stated: The residence permit <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> granted. This meant: the foreigners' authority had discretionary power. It could refuse, even if all the requirements were met.<\/span><\/p>\n

This has fundamentally changed. Since 18 November 2023, it is: The residence permit <\/span>becomes<\/span><\/i> granted. Anyone who meets the requirements now has a <\/span>Legal claim<\/b>. There is no longer any discretion \u2013 the authority must grant the title.<\/span><\/p>\n

And a second change is almost as important: the old tie to one's learned profession has disappeared. Previously, a trained engineer also had to work as an engineer. Today, skilled workers are allowed to <\/span>every qualified employment<\/b> practise \u2013 regardless of what they originally trained as. An exception only applies to regulated professions (doctors, lawyers, etc.) where a professional practising licence is required.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>\u00a7 18a Residence Act \u2014 Skilled workers with vocational training<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/span>Who is considered a skilled worker with vocational training?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

A skilled worker with vocational training is, according to \u00a7 18 (3) No. 1 of the Residence Act, any person from a third country who possesses a <\/span>Vocational training<\/b> has completed at least two years of vocational training. This can be German vocational training \u2013 or foreign vocational training that has been recognised as equivalent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prerequisite: The training must have been completed in a state-recognised or comparably regulated vocational occupation. An overview of recognised vocational occupations can be found at the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) at <\/span>bibb.de<\/span><\/a>. The portal checks whether your foreign degree is eligible for recognition. <\/span>recognition-in-germany.de<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Overview of Requirements<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n