Fast-Track Procedure for Skilled Workers

The ZAB assists immigration authorities in checking the comparability of a foreign university degree as part of the Fast-Track Procedure for Skilled Workers according to Section 81a of the Residence Act (§81a AufenthG).
 

How to perform a comparability check

Database anabin

You can check if a foreign university degree is comparable to a German university degree by using our database anabin. If the degree program and the university the degree was obtained at are both listed with the required evaluation, the degree is considered comparable to a German university degree. In this case, a Statement of Comparability is not necessary. For more information, refer to the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community's (BMI) Guidelines on the Implementation of the Fast-Track Procedure for Skilled Workers.

Statement of Comparability

If the degree program or the university is not listed in anabin, the skilled worker has to apply for a Statement of Comparability. The ZAB will perform an individual comparability check of the qualification.
 

If a profession is regulated, the qualification has to be recognized by the appropriate recognition office. Use the federal government's recognition finder to find the right recognition office as well as information about the recognition process.

Application for a Statement of Comparability as part of the Fast-Track Procedure for Skilled Workers

• Application: The skilled worker has to submit an online application for a Statement of Comparability to the ZAB. The documents that are required for an application depend on the country the university degree was obtained from.  
• Application cover form: The immigration authority has to submit an application cover form to the ZAB via email. It contains the immigration authority's contact information and confirms that the required powers of attorney have been granted.    

What happens after an application has been submitted?
 

• The applicant receives a message confirming the receipt of the application and the fee notice.
• Within 2 weeks, the ZAB will either confirm that all required documents have been received or request the missing documents.
• The processing time begins once the ZAB has received all required documents as well as the fee.
• The ZAB will communicate with the applicant via messages.
• Once the Statement of Comparability has been issued, it is available for download as a PDF file. It will also be emailed to the immigration authority.

Do you already have a concrete job offer in Germany?

Are you a foreign skilled worker and have a job offer or an employment contract in Germany?

To help you enter Germany and start working faster, your new employer can apply for the Fast-Track Procedure for Skilled Workers at the immigration authority. 

Do you have any questions about living and working in Germany?

Contact the Service Center for Professional Recognition and the phone hotline Working and Living in Germany with any questions about immigrating to Germany.

For detailed information about the Fast-Track Procedure for Skilled Workers, skilled workers and employers can visit the German government's website Make it in Germany. 

Do you plan to employ a foreign skilled worker?

Do you plan to employ a foreign skilled worker and apply for the Fast-Track Procedure for Skilled Workers according to Section 81a of the Residence Act (§81a AufenthG)?

Please select your federal state's appropriate point of contact from this list.

For detailed information about employing foreign skilled workers, visit the Federal Ministry of Education and Research's website Unternehmen Berufsanerkennung. 

For a quick overview, please refer to the Federal Employment Agency’s brochure Das Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz.