Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification
Do you want to get off to a great start in the German job market with your foreign vocational qualification? Use the Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification (DAB) to prove that you meet one of the key criteria to come to Germany.
Certificate for non-academic vocational qualifications
Statements on a Foreign Vocational Qualification are issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). They are intended for people who have completed a non-academic vocational training outside of Germany.
The ZAB will check and certify whether
- the training was completed,
- is recognized in the country of training,
- and was a full-time training program of at least two years.
A statement can be used at immigration authorities and visa offices to apply for a residence title – for example a visa or residence permit. This ensures that skilled workers can come to Germany faster. Use your Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification (DAB) to get an opportunity card, a recognition partnership, or a visa for professionally experienced workers to start working in Germany.
What is included in a Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification?
A Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification describes essential aspects of a vocational training: It states if the training is recognized in the country of training, if it was a full-time training program of at least two years, where the vocational training took place, and the date it was completed. It also includes the name of the vocational training and the training institution.
Who can apply for a Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification?
Any person with a non-academic vocational qualification from abroad can apply for a Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification.
Statements on a Foreign Vocational Qualification are not issued for university degrees. If you have a foreign university degree, you can apply for a Statement of Comparability for Foreign University Degrees.
Fully digital – our quick and easy application process
Our Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification is a fully digital service: You can apply, upload your documents, pay the fee, check the status of your application, and communicate with the ZAB online. Once a statement has been completed, it is available on our website. You can download it as soon as it has been issued.