Regalis, as of
In brief
In the fast-track procedure the employer starts the process at the responsible foreigners authority in Germany, acting with a power of attorney from the skilled worker. The authority coordinates with the other offices, a fee is charged for the procedure, and the authority names the amount. The skilled worker still applies for the visa at the German mission abroad, and there is no promise about the outcome or the duration.
What it is about
Anyone hiring a skilled worker from a country outside the EU deals with several offices. The recognition body assesses the qualification. The Federal Employment Agency approves the employment. The mission abroad issues the visa.
In the fast-track procedure, the steps in Germany run through one office. That is the responsible foreigners authority. Some federal states have a central foreigners authority for this, in others the authority where the company is based is responsible.
The company files the application, not the skilled worker. It is part of the procedure from the start and receives the authority's queries directly.
For the company this means more responsibility, but also a better overview. You always know which office is handling the case at the moment.
Who the procedure suits
The procedure is meant for skilled workers. This means people with vocational training or a degree who take up a suitable job in Germany. A few other purposes of stay are included as well, for example measures towards recognition.
Whether the route pays off for your company depends on the individual case. It is an option when recognition is still open and you want to steer the steps in Germany yourself. With several hires, the company also gains practice in dealing with the authority.
Which cases exactly are included is stated by the foreigners authority. Ask there before you apply whether your case fits.
Power of attorney and agreement
The employer acts for the skilled worker in the procedure. For this it needs a written power of attorney from the skilled worker. Many authorities provide their own form for it.
The procedure rests on an agreement between the employer and the foreigners authority. It sets out the tasks of both sides, the contact persons and the papers. The authority provides the wording.
Read the agreement carefully before you sign. It commits the company to cooperate and to give complete information.
Keep the power of attorney and the agreement safe. The mission abroad and later the local foreigners authority sometimes ask for them.
Which papers the company supplies
The authority names the papers in detail. The following documents appear in almost every procedure. Part of them comes from the company, part from the skilled worker.
Collect the papers and hand them in together. Sending single documents later almost always leads to queries. Make sure that names are spelt the same way in the passport, the certificates and the contract.
- Power of attorney from the skilled worker and the signed agreement with the authority
- Employment contract or binding job offer
- Declaration on the employment relationship with duties, working hours, place of work and pay
- Copy of the skilled worker's passport
- Certificates, proof of work experience and translations
- Recognition decision, if it already exists
The steps in their order
The process follows a fixed pattern. Single steps drop out if they have already been done. We deliberately give no time frames, because they depend on the authority and the individual case.
- The company checks with the foreigners authority whether the case fits.
- Employer and authority conclude the agreement, and the skilled worker grants the power of attorney.
- Where needed, the authority starts the recognition procedure at the responsible body.
- The authority obtains the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
- If the conditions are met, the authority issues an advance approval. It is a different document from the advance approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
- With the advance approval, the skilled worker books an appointment at the mission abroad and applies for the visa.
- After arrival, the company guides the first steps.
Fee and costs
A fee is charged for the fast-track procedure. The foreigners authority names the amount. The fees for recognition and for the visa come on top.
Who carries which costs is a matter for the company and the skilled worker. Many companies take over the fees for the procedure. Put the arrangement in writing so that no dispute arises later.
Translations and certifications cost extra. They usually arise early, often while the person is still in the country of origin.
What the procedure does not replace
The procedure does not replace the visa application. The skilled worker still applies for the visa in person at the German mission abroad. The mission abroad decides on it itself.
Nor is the procedure a promise. Recognition, approval and the visa are each decided by the responsible offices after their own assessment. Nobody will promise you a fixed processing time.
Frequently asked questions
Who files the application in the fast-track procedure?
The employer. It acts with a written power of attorney from the skilled worker and concludes an agreement with the responsible foreigners authority.
Does the procedure replace the visa application?
No. The skilled worker still applies for the visa at the German mission abroad. The procedure only prepares that application.
Is there a fee for the procedure?
Yes, a fee is charged. The foreigners authority names the amount. Fees for recognition and the visa come on top.
Is the procedure faster than the normal route?
It bundles steps in Germany at one office. Even so, nobody will promise you fixed deadlines for the result. Complete papers help most.
- For Employers How Regalis works with employers: capture requirements, present candidates, coordinate entry and the start of work. Direct employment, no staff leasing.