The fast-track procedure for skilled workers - how companies and international talent benefit
The shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector is an omnipresent problem in Germany. Companies are constantly on the lookout for qualified personnel. With the fast-track procedure for skilled workers, the German government has created a process that helps international care professionals and companies to find their way to Germany as quickly as possible after successful placement. But what exactly is the accelerated skilled worker procedure and how can Careloop | Klett support you in this process?
What is the fast-track procedure for skilled workers?
The fast-track procedure for skilled workers was introduced in 2020 and enables skilled workers with a recognizable qualification from abroad to enter the German labour market more quickly. The legal basis for this is Section 81a AufenthG. In contrast to the regular, non-accelerated visa and recognition procedure, the future employer commissions the procedure.
The regular process usually runs as follows: All bureaucratic steps required for entry to take up employment in Germany are not linked to each other, but are applied for independently of each other. This results in long waiting times and the authorities involved are less interconnected.
The international skilled worker bears the main responsibility for the bureaucracy. This means that they have to submit applications and documents to various authorities, such as recognition offices and the German embassy, independently. The employer can of course provide support here by providing employment contracts or evidence, but does not take on any formal role in the process.
In contrast to this, in the fast-track procedure for skilled workers, the employer commissions the procedure from the responsible immigration authority (or central office, depending on the federal state). This coordinates all the authorities involved, making the process considerably easier for the skilled worker and speeding up the procedure. Ultimately, the skilled worker can enter the country more quickly.
The aim of the accelerated skilled worker procedure is to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and speed up the entire process of recognizing foreign qualifications until the entry visa is issued.
The process at a single glance:
- Accelerated processing of all applications: Recognition, pre-approval and visa
- Coordinating role of the foreigners authority or central office of the federal state, which is commissioned by the employer
- Accelerated entry and accelerated start of employment
Step by step through the fast-track procedure for skilled workers
- Contact with the Immigration Office
The company (e.g., a healthcare facility) enters into an agreement with the responsible immigration office. This agreement specifies that the fast-track procedure for skilled workers will be initiated and outlines the specific documents required for the employment of nurses. - Qualification and Recognition Assessment
The immigration office initiates the recognition process for the foreign professional qualification if it has not yet been completed. Once all required documents have been submitted, the recognition authority makes a decision within two months. The recognition of foreign professional qualifications is centrally regulated in each federal state. In this step, the authority also checks whether additional qualification adjustments or a competency test are necessary.
- Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
The Federal Employment Agency reviews within one week whether the offered job meets the legal requirements (e.g., minimum salary, working conditions in the employment contract). It also assesses whether there is a demand for nurses in Germany, which is generally the case.
- Preliminary Approval by the Immigration Office
Once the qualifications and working conditions have been reviewed and approved, the immigration office issues a preliminary approval. This serves as the basis for applying for a visa at the German embassy or consulate.
- Visa Application in the Home Country
With the preliminary approval, the visa can be applied for at the responsible German diplomatic mission abroad. The processing time is shortened and usually takes up to six weeks—three weeks until the appointment and another three weeks until the visa is issued. After successful verification, the work visa is granted. For nurses, this is usually under § 16d AufenthG or § 18a AufenthG.
- Entry and Commencement of Work
With the issued visa, you can enter Germany and immediately start working at the healthcare facility.
What does the procedure cost?
The fee for the fast-track procedure for skilled workers at the immigration office is €411.
Additional costs:
- Certified copies: at least €10 per page
- Sworn translations: €400 to €1200
- Fees for the recognition of qualifications: €100 to €300
- Certificate of recognition result (deficiency/recognition notice): up to €200
- Costs for the visa application (embassy): €75
The costs can vary significantly from case to case (number of documents, country of origin, etc.). In most cases, the employer covers most or all of the fees to make the process as smooth as possible for nurses.
If the employer commissions Careloop | Klett, we support the fast-track procedure by coordinating and guiding the process as an authorized representative. This includes applying for the procedure at the immigration office, organizing the recognition of qualifications, and coordinating certified translations and the visa application.
