Welcome

National Visa – Category D: Recognition of foreign qualifications for regulated professions (§ 16d AufenthG)

20.01.2025 - Article

General Information:

“Recognition in Germany” is the official online portal for the Federal Recognition Act. It provides foreign skilled workers with information on how and where they can submit an application for recognition of qualifications they have gained abroad. The “Recognition Finder” enables you to identify the competent body for your own particular case. For more information, please visit: Annerkennung in Deutschland.

Useful information can be found on the website:

Make it in Germany: Make it in Germany

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

Your application set has to be sorted as follows:

Please don’t staple the application form or the documents

1.

Videx Application Form

  • Fully completed in English or German, signed, and dated by the applicant himself.

  • Must be submitted as printout including the barcode page (page 7) and signed forms on page 5 and6.

  • If the applicant is under the age of 18, signed form “Authorization – Minors / Children under 18” needs to be attached including passport copies of parents/ legal guardian.

  • Separate application forms are required for each applicant; all children also require separate forms.

2.

Passport

  • The original passport must be present & copies of the passport (personal data page including validity & signature pages) must be submitted.

  • UAE residency as well as Emirates ID must be submitted as copies.

  • It is recommended that the passport is valid for at least 1 year at the day of submission. Please be aware that a visa validity cannot exceed the validity of the passport.

  • Signed by bearer

  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)

  • At least 2 consecutive blank pages (i.e. a blank double page spread).

  • Special rules might apply for some nationals which passports are not recognized by the German authorities.

3.

2 recent biometric passport sized photographs (3.5x4,5 cm)

Requirements:

  • Should NOT be older than 6 months.

  • A frontal view of the face covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.

  • A uniform and light-colored background.

  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.

  • Head coverings are only accepted for religious reasons.

Do not glue or staple the pictures to the application form.

4.

If applicable: previous stay in Germany / previous Schengen Visa

  • Copies of your old German resident permit

  • Copies of previous Schengen visa

5.

Recognition of foreign professional qualification

  • Notice of partial recognition (“Defizitbescheid”) from the responsible state authority containing information about professional deficiencies and the conclusion regarding the requirements of an adaptation measure / knowledge examination or full recognition / certificate.

For medical doctors, please check the website of the Landesärztekammer of the Federal State, where you will be applying for your Fachsprachenprüfung to check on the requirements to receive your Defizitbescheid.

Once you have your Defizitbescheid, check the points 6 a - d

6a.

Required in cases, where the Defizitbescheid states deficit in German language:

  • Notice of partial recognition (“Defizitbescheid”) from the responsible state authority containing information concerning professional deficiencies and the requirement for the German language course.
  • Confirmation of registration from the language school for a German language course* stating the number of hours per week for the course booked (intensive course with at least 18 hours per week) and confirmation of payment of the course fee.

* It is always recommended that the applicant provides proof of German language proficiency Level of at least A2 (nursing and health professions at least B1) at the time of submitting the application.

* In case of not having the Defizitbescheid the applicant can apply for a language course visa (§16f AufenthG). Please refer to our student requirement visa.

6b.

Required in cases of participation in a preparatory theoretical course to prepare for the knowledge examination (Kenntnisprüfung) (§16d Abs.1 AufenthG):

  • Notice of partial recognition (“Defizitbescheid”) from the responsible state authority containing information concerning professional deficiencies and the requirement of a knowledge examination (Kenntnisprüfung)
  • Registration for the preparatory theoretical course for the knowledge test including confirmation of the provider with details concerning type and duration of the training program with reference to the deficits that were detected.

6c.

Only required from NURSES in cases of participation in an occupational training program (e.g. adaptation training course):

  • Notice of partial recognition (“Defizitbescheid”) from the responsible state authority containing information concerning professional deficiencies and the conclusion regarding the requirement of an adaptation measure.

  • Binding confirmation of the company / hospital, that the adaptation measure can be completed in the establishment.

  • Plan for further training provided by the company / hospital, which shows who will supervise the applicant and how the aim of amending the deficit is supposed to be achieved.

  • For a practical occupation: details concerning the planned salary (e.g. internship contract)

7.

Only required in cases where an applicant already holds a full recognition:

  • Certificate of recognition from the responsible state authority (“Berufszulassung / Approbation”)

  • Employment contract and job description in a regulated profession

8.

Proof of Qualification Documents reflecting your previous education and skills:

  • all University degrees and vocational Training certificates are required

9.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) of your professional career, specifying the certificates, diplomas and qualifications you have obtained.

10

Letter explaining the plan of the applicant in relation to every step until receiving the certificate of recognition.

11.

Proof of a blocked German bank account (“Sperrkonto”):

12.

Incoming medical insurance or proof public / private insurance covering the applicant as an expat / student in Germany has to be provided. A travel insurance is not sufficient.

Please submit proof for the same on the day of the interview.

Note further:

  • False or falsified documents will lead to the refusal of visa and / or further consequences.

  • The German Consulate Dubai reserves the right to ask for additional documents and / or call applicant for additional information or interview.

  • Once students have relocated to Germany and taken up their studies in Germany, they must apply for their residence permit to the local immigration office. The jurisdiction of the German missions in the UAE is limited to those students that have not yet left the UAE.

  • If your application is successful, you will be issued a limited-validity entry visa - similar to a UAE entry visa for longer stay. Students on a year abroad/ exchange placement may be issued a visa covering their entire stay. Please make sure to check the validity of your visa! Once you have arrived in Germany, please register your new residence with the local authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your Electronic Residence Permit. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

Disclaimer: Although the information in this leaflet has been prepared with utmost care, we cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein.

Top of page