You may apply for a residence permit for employment if your employment serves a public interest—in particular, a regional, economic, or labor market interest.

A residence permit for employment based on public interest is a special right of residence that is granted only in justified individual cases. A public interest in the employment can be established, for example,

• if there is a regional or supraregional public interest in an employer’s products or services, or if there is a shortage of certain goods or services at the employer’s location (regional interests). Reasons related to public services or local government policy may also play a role here.
• when significant investments are made and/or a substantial number of jobs are created or secured; if the establishment of the business is associated with a sustainable improvement in the sales or market opportunities of domestic companies, or if it involves the establishment of a manufacturing facility for technically advanced (future-proof) and/or particularly environmentally friendly products (economic interests).
• when jobs are preserved or created through the employment (labor market policy interests).

An employer’s private-sector, business-related interest alone is not sufficient to establish a public interest in the employment.

You do not need to provide proof of qualifications. Nor is recognition of qualifications obtained abroad required.

Before a residence permit is issued, the Federal Employment Agency must grant its approval. This agency also assesses whether there is a labor market policy interest. Approval is granted for a maximum of four years.

If the residence permit is granted, it will be temporary. Its validity depends on your employment contract or the duration of the Federal Employment Agency’s approval.

Under certain circumstances, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.

If you are an employer and wish to hire a foreign worker for reasons of public interest, you may apply to the Foreigners’ Registration Office—on behalf of the foreign national—for the expedited skilled worker procedure, which can facilitate and accelerate their entry into the country.