§18b AufenthG

Skilled Worker Visa (Academic Qualification)

Fachkräfteeinwanderung (Akademische Qualifikation)

What employers need to know

The §18b residence permit is for qualified professionals with a recognised university degree who have a concrete job offer in Germany. Unlike the Blue Card, there is no minimum salary requirement — making it ideal for roles below the Blue Card threshold.

Typical timeline: 8-16 weeks from application to work start

The law, simplified

Section 18b AufenthG allows non-EU nationals with a recognised university degree to work in Germany in any qualified position, regardless of salary. The degree must be recognised as equivalent to a German degree (via anabin or ZAB). The employer must have a concrete job offer, and the position must require a university-level qualification. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit checks that working conditions are equivalent to those of German employees (equal pay, working hours). The permit is issued for up to 4 years and can be extended. After 4 years (or 21 months with B1 German and 60 months of pension contributions), holders can apply for permanent residence.

Your obligations as employer

1Provide a concrete job offer or employment contract for a position requiring a university-level qualification
2Ensure working conditions (salary, hours, vacation) are equivalent to those of comparable German employees
3Complete the employer declaration form for the Bundesagentur für Arbeit labour market check
4Register the employee with social security

Candidate requirements

✓Recognised university degree (anabin H+ or ZAB Zeugnisbewertung)
✓Concrete job offer or employment contract in Germany
✓Valid passport
✓Proof of health insurance
✓Proof of adequate accommodation

Required documents

From the employer

■Employment contract or binding job offer
■Job description showing qualification requirements
■Employer declaration (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis)
■Company registration extract

From the candidate

■Valid passport with 6+ months validity
■Biometric photos (35x45mm)
■University degree with apostille/legalisation
■anabin rating or ZAB Zeugnisbewertung
■Employment contract
■Health insurance proof
■Proof of accommodation
■CV / Lebenslauf

Process steps — who does what

Degree recognition

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Check the university and degree via anabin. If the university is rated H+ and the degree is comparable, no further recognition is needed. Otherwise, apply for a ZAB statement of comparability.

Job offer and contract

Employer

The employer provides a job offer for a qualified position. No minimum salary, but conditions must match those of comparable German employees.

Visa application

Candidate

Apply for a national visa (D-visa) at the German embassy. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit will conduct a labour market check (Vorabzustimmung) as part of the process. Processing: 4-12 weeks.

Entry and Anmeldung

Candidate

Enter Germany, register your address at the Bürgeramt within 14 days.

Residence permit issuance

relokate

Apply for the residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde. Issued for up to 4 years.

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Common pitfalls

Labour market check rejection: The Bundesagentur may reject if conditions are not equivalent to German employees — ensure the salary is market-rate

Degree not equivalent: Some degrees from non-Bologna countries may need a ZAB assessment even if the university is in anabin

Position overqualification: The job must genuinely require a university degree — a university graduate hired for an unskilled position will be rejected

Longer embassy processing: Without the Blue Card fast-track, embassy processing can take 8-12 weeks in some countries

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between §18b and the EU Blue Card (§18g)?

The main difference is salary: the Blue Card requires a minimum salary (€50,700 / €45,934 in 2026), while §18b has no salary floor. The Blue Card also offers a faster path to permanent residence (21-27 months vs. 48 months). If the salary meets the Blue Card threshold, the Blue Card is almost always the better option.

Is there a labour market check for §18b?

Yes. Unlike the Blue Card, the §18b permit requires the Bundesagentur für Arbeit to verify that working conditions are equivalent to those of German employees. This is not a priority check (no German candidate preferred), but a conditions check.