Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren (fast-track procedure for skilled workers)

Section 81a of the Residence Act lets an employer in Germany start the procedure at the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) on behalf of a worker abroad who will enter for skilled work, recognition measures (section 16d) or a Blue Card. The worker does not apply; the employer acts with the worker's power of attorney and may authorise a third party, such as a recruiter, to run it.

The employer and the authority sign an agreement that names the parties, the documents, the process and the deadlines. The authority then starts the recognition procedure, obtains Federal Employment Agency approval and, for a regulated profession such as nursing or medicine, the permission to practise.

1. The worker gives the employer a power of attorney.
2. The employer and the foreigners authority sign the fast-track agreement and the employer pays the fee.
3. The authority passes the file to the recognition body. The federal guide says the body has two months to decide once it has all the documents.
4. The BA has one week to approve the job, after which approval is assumed (section 36 BeschV).
5. Once everything is in place, the authority issues a pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung), which the employer sends to the worker.
6. The German mission offers a visa appointment within three weeks of the request, and usually decides within three weeks of a complete application (section 31a Residence Ordinance).

If recognition finds gaps, section 81a lets the procedure continue towards entry for qualification measures under section 16d instead.

The procedure fee is €411, paid when the agreement is signed. The federal guide stresses it is a processing fee that does not guarantee a pre-approval or visa. The worker pays the usual €75 national visa fee at the mission, and recognition fees are charged separately. The guide says these are usually borne by the worker, so agree in writing who pays.

The procedure can include a spouse and minor unmarried children whose visa applications are made at the same time; the guide adds that the family should plan to follow within six months of the worker's entry.

It suits nurses and doctors with a firm job offer from an employer willing to manage the paperwork, especially where visa appointments are scarce. The federal guide says it is only open to skilled workers entering for specific purposes of employment, vocational training or the recognition of foreign qualifications. It does not help someone without a German employer; for job searching, see the Chancenkarte.

• Expecting it to skip recognition. It speeds the steps up but still requires recognition, or a route under section 16d, and a licence for the profession.
• Incomplete documents. The two-month recognition deadline only starts with a complete file.
• Unclear costs. Recruiters sometimes pass on fees, so check what your contract says.