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I am writing you, regarding to work as a skilled worker in Germany. I have a cabinet maker class 2 certificate from Iran almost since 5 years and 3 years of experience as well. I am 45 years old. I would like to know, if I can apply in Germany to get a certificate and work in Germany. I have a good level command in English and I get German language A2 as well.

Antwort

Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in working in Germany. Make it in Germany provides international professionals with information on working and living in Germany. Please consider the following options.

Working as an employee in Germany:
On 1 March 2020, a new law, the Skilled Immigration Act came into force in Germany. This new law basically expands the possibilities for qualified professionals to come to work in Germany. The new regulations make it easier for skilled workers with vocational, non-academic training from non-EU countries to migrate to Germany in order to work. Under certain requirements you can receive a residence permit in accordance with Sections 18a and 18b (1) AufenthG (German Residence Act) that enables you to obtain employment in Germany as a qualified professional. The following requirements need to be met:

• Your qualifications must be recognised in Germany or be comparable to those from a German higher education institution. If you are seeking employment in a regulated profession, i.e., health professions, a professional practice permit is required. For more information regarding the recognition processes, see Recognition.
• Have you received a job offer from an employer in Germany? If so, it is important to ensure that your recognised qualifications enable you to perform the job for which you are being hired. This means that you are able to be employed in related professions.
• You are older than 45 years and coming to Germany for the first time for employment purposes? If so, your gross annual salary for the position you intend on taking must be at least EUR 45,540 (in 2020), or you need to provide proof of an adequate retirement security.

As a citizen of Iran, you will need to submit your visa application to the German mission in your home country before entering Germany. You can find the corresponding local contact on our “world map”. Please note that the visa applied for must correspond to the actual purpose of your stay. For example, a visa issued for a short stay does not allow a permanent residence.

Read more

• Detailed information on what changed with the Skilled Immigration Act
• Detailed information on work visa
• Detailed information on recognition of foreign qualification
• General information on visa processes
• Find a job in Germany

Set up a business in Germany:
As a citizen of Iran, in order to set up a business in Germany, you will need a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit”).

Therefore, you need to apply for a visa for the purpose of self-employed occupation at the German mission in your home country before entering Germany. You can find the corresponding local contact on our “world map”.

Generally, to apply for a visa, several criteria need to be met. This depends on whether you will work

• as a freelancer (“Freiberufler”)
• or wish to set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur (“Gewerbe”):

Being self-employed or a freelancer makes a difference regarding certain formalities and has an impact on your company’s legal structure. Here you will find out more about the two different ways of setting up a business.

Moreover, to work as a self-employed professional the same conditions apply as for Germans. Special rules apply for craft professions: for some of these, it is not enough to have learned the trade in question. In order to set up your own business, you will also need a master craftsman’s certificate (“Meisterbrief”) which you can obtain on the basis of an advanced training course. If you have obtained your professional qualification abroad, you can have its equivalency assessed. This means that if you hold a professional qualification, which is deemed to be equal to a German “Meister” qualification, you can set up your own business in a trade that is subject to authorisation. If you hold a professional qualification, which is equivalent to the German qualification without the “Meister” title, you can embark on an advanced training course to obtain your “Meister” title. Additional information on how to obtain the “Meister” title can be found in the Guide to “Vocational training in Germany”.

Read more:

• Requirements on professional qualification
• General visa information
• General information on visa processes
• Advisory services

For further questions on visa and entry regulations please contact the experts of the hotline “Working and Living in Germany”. Telephone number +49 30 1815 – 1111. The hotline offers personal advice in German or English.

Please note that, due to the current pandemic situation, German authorities and public institutions may only be accessible to a limited extent - this may also apply to your foreign mission. Current information are available here.

Keep in mind, as you are operating in Germany, a good command of the German language is important. When preparing to set up your business, you will learn that many official documents are available in German only. If your German is not good enough yet, you should take a language course before you set up your business. Some advanced courses have a focus on business German.

• Please note that “Make it in Germany” do not issue or support any visa application even if you may be qualified for that. The information presented on “Make it in Germany” is a general service offering. Only the German missions and the foreigner’s authorities are responsible for the issuance of visa and residence permits. For further questions, please contact directly the respective authority.

Reference: Justina Godesberg
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Juni 2020

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