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DE Skilled & work Temporary

Germany Recognition Partnership (Sec 16d)

Get your foreign qualification fully recognised after you arrive in Germany.

Official Germany & Europe page

Who this route is for

Skilled workers whose foreign qualification is only partially recognised and who have an employer willing to sign a recognition partnership.

Eligibility requirements

  • Foreign vocational/academic qualification with at least partial recognition or a positive assessment
  • Job offer from an employer who signs the recognition-partnership agreement
  • German language at least A2
  • Health insurance and secured livelihood
  • May work up to 20 hours/week alongside the recognition process

Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.

Check your points first

Use the free Opportunity Card Points Calculator to see if you're likely to qualify before you start.

Germany & Europe visa requirements on VisaGlance — Before the points test, check whether you need a visa just to enter Germany & Europe — and which one fits your passport — on our companion site VisaGlance.