National Visa: Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications (§16d)

The national visa for recognition of foreign professional qualifications according to §16d enables international professionals to participate in qualification measures that are required for the full recognition of their foreign professional qualification in Germany.

Duration of stay

To enable the completion of qualification measures for professional recognition, the visa is typically issued for up to twelve months. After entry, a residence permit must be applied for at the responsible immigration office to extend the duration of stay and pursue the purpose of entry.

Employment

Side employment of up to 20 hours per week is permitted with the visa for recognition of foreign professional qualifications, regardless of the respective qualification measure. Those who work in the professional field of the intended recognition can work without time limits – however, this requires the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

Requirements for issuance

The diplomatic mission examines whether the following conditions are met:

• Recognition decision from the competent recognition authority confirming that the implementation of further qualification or compensatory measures is necessary.
• Registration for the qualification measures required in the recognition decision.
• German language skills at least at level B1.
• Sufficient financial means for the entire duration of stay.
  Important note on language level: The specific language requirements may vary depending on the country of origin. The competent diplomatic mission provides binding information on this.

Application submission

The application is submitted in person at the German embassy or consulate in the home country. Scheduling an appointment is generally required in advance. Further information on scheduling appointments and the on-site appointment process at a German embassy is available here.

The application form

The visa application form can be filled out online and then brought as a printout to the on-site appointment. The application form D is available for download here.

A detailed guide for correct completion of the form can be found here.

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted for the application. To avoid additional requests and delays, all required documents should be checked for completeness:

• Completed and signed application form D
• Valid passport (valid at least until the end of the planned stay)
  
• Biometric, recent passport photo
• Recognition decision from the competent recognition authority regarding partial recognition
• Registration confirmation for qualification measures
• Proof of language proficiency at least at level B1
• Proof of financial means
• Proof of health insurance
• Payment receipts for booked course registrations
• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter

Detailed information on proof of financial means and choosing the right health insurance as well as support in preparing a curriculum vitae and motivation letter for the application can be found in the respective articles.

Plausibility, practical tips, and time frame for application

When submitting the application, it is important to present a comprehensible plan that clearly outlines the visa purpose. For the visa for recognition of foreign professional qualifications, this means: A concrete qualification plan should be in place that shows which measures will be completed – such as professional language courses, adaptation courses, or preparation courses for the knowledge exam. The plan should be realistic and implementable within a maximum of twelve months. If part-time employment is planned and an employment contract or binding job offer is already available, this can also be mentioned in the application.

An important proof is the registration confirmation for corresponding courses, which underscores the commitment to advance professional qualification promptly. The registration confirmation should contain all essential information: language level of the course, starting date, weekly hours, total duration, and payment confirmation. The course should be booked at a reputable language school or educational institution as in-person instruction – no online courses – and must comprise at least 18 hours per week. The course start should start shortly after the planned visa issuance, and the institution should be located at a reasonable distance from the stated place of residence. Also crucial is proof that financing is secured for the entire duration of stay, including course fees.

The application should be submitted several months before the planned start of qualification measures, as processing times can vary. Early appointment scheduling is important.

Processing time and fees

Processing of a national visa typically takes between six and eight weeks. In individual cases, processing may take longer. The fee for a national visa is currently 75 euros. It is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the procedure. More information on processing times of the visa application can be found here.