Overview of visa types for professional recognition

Here you will find an overview of the relevant visa types for the process of professional recognition in Germany from language acquisition to the restricted temporary professional license.

Important note: It is our concern to ensure that the content of our information is always correct and up-to-date. However, since circumstances at individual embassies or consulates differ in detail, it is essential that you either verify and supplement the information needed for your personal situation on the website of the embassy responsible for you or personally gather information from them.

Which visa do I need?

In this video, Dr. Ben explains which visa types are relevant for foreign healthcare professionals seeking professional recognition in Germany when applying for a visa.

Visa for language acquisition (§16f)

Requirements:

  • Cost of living must be secured for at least 1 year (blocked account)
  • Binding registration from FIA
  • Confirmation of receipt from a German state health authority is advantageous
  • A recognition notification is not necessary
  • Depending on the immigration authority proof of payment (at least for the first course) and / or an instalment payment has to be included
  • Further documents are available online on the German embassy’s / consulate’s websites (leaflets language course)
     

Conditions:

  • Your language course must be 20 hours per week
  • Your stay for language acquisition purposes must not exceed 12 months

After the language courses you can change your purpose of stay, e.g. to § 16d

Visa for recognition of foreign qualifications (§16d)

Requirements:

  • Cost of living must be secured for the duration of your stay (blocked account)
  • A recognition notification from a German state health authority is required
  • Possible as of level B1. The required documents are available online on the German embassy’s websites (leaflets recognition)
     

Conditions:

  • Your stay must not exceed 24 months, with exceptions 36 months
  • Part-time work for 20 hours is possible (not as a physician, dentist, pharmacist). If employment is related to the professional qualification and a concrete job offer for employment after full licensing exists, there are no time limits. (This is based on general information; the foreigners authority can make individual decisions that deviate from this.)

After receiving full licensing: job searching is possible for maximum of 1 year (change to visa for job search, §20 paragraph 3 No.4)

Changing from visa §16f to residence permit §16d

When you are in Germany, you can change your visa §16f to the residence permit §16d in Germany.
 

Requirements:

  • You need a recognition notification for this
  • You need proof of language proficiency at level B2
  • Your cost of living must be secured

Changing from visa §16d to §20 paragraph 3 No. 4

Requirements:

  • You need a job offer for a (restricted) temporary professional license
  • You need to apply for a temporary professional license at the state health authority responsible for you
  • Your cost of living must be secured
Overview of visa types
Overview of visa types