Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure

Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure: Fast-Track Your Work Visa for Germany

The Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure (§81a Residence Act) is a special process that can help employers in Germany bring qualified international professionals into the country more quickly. It is particularly useful when there is already a specific job offer and the candidate meets the relevant qualification requirements.

What Is the Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure?

The Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure is a streamlined process initiated by the employer through the responsible immigration authority in Germany.

Its main goals are to:

  • Reduce processing times
  • Coordinate the different authorities involved in the process
  • Support the recognition of foreign professional qualifications
  • Make the immigration process more predictable for employers and skilled workers

Who Can Use It?

The procedure can generally be used when:

  • A specific job offer exists
  • The candidate has a recognized or otherwise qualifying professional qualification
  • The German employer agrees to initiate the procedure
  • The relevant requirements for employment and residence are met

The exact requirements depend on the profession and the type of residence permit being applied for.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Employer submits the request to the responsible immigration authority in Germany.
  2. Qualification recognition is coordinated where required.
  3. The Federal Employment Agency reviews the employment conditions when its approval is required.
  4. The immigration authority issues the relevant pre-approval for the visa application.
  5. The necessary information is forwarded to the German embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant.
  6. The skilled worker submits the visa application and attends the required appointment.
  7. After the visa is issued, the skilled worker can enter Germany and start the next steps toward employment and residence.

Processing Times

The procedure is designed to speed up the overall process.

The authorities aim to make a decision on the visa application within 3 weeks after the visa application has been submitted and the required pre-approval is available.

However, qualification recognition and other administrative steps can take additional time depending on the profession and individual circumstances.

Costs

The accelerated procedure has a fee of €411.

Additional costs may include:

  • Visa application fees
  • Translation costs
  • Qualification recognition fees
  • Certification and document preparation costs
  • Other administrative expenses

Who Is the Procedure Suitable For?

The Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure can be particularly useful for:

  • Nurses and other healthcare professionals
  • IT specialists
  • Engineers
  • Skilled workers with recognized professional qualifications
  • International graduates who have received a suitable job offer
  • German employers with urgent staffing needs

Key Benefits

The procedure can provide:

  • Faster processing compared with the standard procedure
  • Centralized coordination between the employer and German authorities
  • Support with qualification recognition
  • Greater clarity about the steps required before the visa application
  • A more structured process for both employers and international professionals

More Information

Make it in Germany – Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure

Service-BW – Fachkräfteverfahren

Conclusion

The Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure can be a useful option for German employers who need to recruit qualified international professionals and want to streamline the immigration process.

Because requirements and processing times can vary depending on the profession, qualification, and responsible immigration authority, applicants and employers should always check the current requirements before starting the procedure.

This article was created by movein24 to provide international professionals and employers with a clear overview of the Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure.

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