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Recognition Visa Germany 2026: Get Your Foreign Qualification Recognised

✓ Verified 28 July 2026against Visa for recognition of foreign qualifications — make-it-in-germany.com· German name: Anerkennungsvisum (§16d)

For people whose qualification was assessed and found only partially equivalent — this visa (Section 16d) lets you travel to Germany specifically to complete the training or exams needed for full recognition, not to work a qualified job yet.

Eligibility at a glance

You already applied for recognition and received a notice of partial equivalence
You’re registered for an approved qualification measure that closes the gap the notice identified
German at least CEFR A2 (higher may be required by the specific measure)
Proof you can cover living costs for the stay
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How to apply — step by step

1

Apply for recognition first, from your home country

This visa only exists for people who already went through the recognition procedure and got a notice that their qualification is partially — not fully — equivalent, listing exactly what’s missing.

2

Register for a qualification measure that closes the gap

In-company training, specialist courses, preparatory courses, and job-related German courses all count. If the measure is mainly on-the-job, the employer must provide a professional development plan (including what they’ll pay you during training) — and the BA must approve it.

3

Prove your German level

Usually CEFR A2 — but check the specific measure, since some require more.

4

Prove you can cover your living costs

The amount depends on the type of measure — company-based training has a different (lower) bar than school-based measures like language courses.

Requirement: Company-based measures (e.g. an internship): at least €1,200 gross / €941 net per month (2026 figures).
Requirement: School-based measures (e.g. a language course): at least €1,091 net/month via blocked account or declaration of commitment (2026 figures).
5

Apply online via the Federal Foreign Office

Submit your application once you have the partial-equivalence notice and your confirmed place on a qualification measure.

Source: Consular Services Portal — Federal Foreign Office
6

While in Germany

Your permit is issued for up to 24 months (renewable by 12 more if e.g. you need to retake an exam). You can work up to 20 hours/week in any part-time job, or unlimited hours in work related to your target occupation, with BA approval.

7

After full recognition

You get up to 12 months as a jobseeker (Section 20) without leaving the country, and can switch directly to a skilled-worker permit, EU Blue Card, vocational training, or study permit once you have an offer or place.

Key figures (2026)

German language requirementCEFR A2 minimum (higher may apply per measure)source ↗
Living costs — company-based measure€1,200 gross / €941 net per month (2026)source ↗
Living costs — school-based measure€1,091 net/month, blocked account or declaration of commitment (2026)source ↗
Initial validityUp to 24 months, extendable by 12source ↗
Part-time work allowance20 hrs/week any job; unrelated cap lifted for work matching your target occupation (BA approval needed)source ↗
Figures verified as of 28 July 2026 against the linked official sources. Thresholds change — always confirm on the source page before relying on them.
Will you qualify? Check all 5 German visa routes in 2 minutes.
Job-Lens AI scores your profile against every route — Blue Card, skilled-worker visas, Chancenkarte and recognition visa — and shows what you're missing. Free to start.
Check my eligibility →Browse jobs in Germany

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