If you are from a non-EU country and hold a university degree, you can apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker with academic training.

To do so, you must have a concrete job offer in Germany.

If you do not have a German university degree, your foreign degree must either be recognized or comparable to a German university degree. You can have your degree recognized or its equivalence determined even before you enter Germany.

Before you can receive your residence permit, you need approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Among other things, it checks whether the position is a qualified job and whether the working conditions are the same as those for comparable German employees.

If you are over 45 years of age, you must have adequate retirement savings.

Under residence law, third countries include all countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities within one month of notification.
• File a lawsuit with the court specified in the appeal decision if the appeal is not upheld.

• 
  Validity period: 4 years. The residence permit is issued for up to 4 years. If your employment contract is for a shorter period or if the Federal Employment Agency approves a shorter period, the residence permit will be issued and renewed for less than 4 years on a case-by-case basis.
• Appeal period: 1 month
  
• Application deadline: 8 weeks
  You must apply for the residence permit at least 8 weeks before your visa or residence permit expires.

Foreigners' registration office in your city or municipality

• Fee: 100.00 EUR
  Under certain circumstances, you may be exempt from the fee or pay a reduced fee.