Residence permit; application for employment under the Western Balkans regulation

Citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia can obtain a residence permit for any employment within the framework of the so-called Western Balkans regulation. This may also include unqualified employment. Recognition of any foreign professional qualifications is not required.

Before a residence permit is issued, you must enter the country with the required visa. Within the framework of the Western Balkans regulation, the visa must be applied for and issued by the competent German diplomatic mission in the above-mentioned countries. Only then can the Federal Employment Agency give its legally required approval.

The number of first-time approvals by the Federal Employment Agency is limited to 50,000 per calendar year. The Federal Employment Agency carries out a so-called priority check. This checks whether the specific position can be filled by a person who is already registered as a jobseeker in Germany. Approval may not be granted if the applicant has received benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act in the 24 months prior to submitting the application. In the case of applicants who take up employment after reaching the age of 45, approval may only be granted if the applicant's salary is at least 55% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for the general pension insurance scheme, unless the applicant can provide proof of an adequate pension.

The residence permit must be applied for at the relevant immigration authority in good time before the visa expires.

Please enquire at your local immigration office. However, the following documents are usually required:

• valid passport
• Current biometric photograph (frontal view)
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof of sufficient living space
• Proof of health insurance cover
• Proof of the purpose of residence, e.g. employer's certificate or employment contract, marriage certificate
• Further documents if necessary

• Application for the issue or extension of a residence permit

  Please complete the application form in block letters or using a typewriter or computer in German. Please check or complete as appropriate. Please do not fill in blank fields.

• Declaration on the employment relationship
• Authorization to collect an eAT

Issue: 100 EUR

Extension up to three months: EUR 96

Extension by more than three months: EUR 93

• § Section 1 (2) of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreign Nationals (Employment Ordinance - BeschV)
• § Section 19c (1) of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG)
• § Section 26 (2) Ordinance on the Employment of Foreign Nationals (Employment Ordinance - BeschV)

  Western Balkans regulation

Administrative court action

• Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Belgrade - Working without professional qualifications. The "Western Balkans regulation"
• Federal Employment Agency - Western Balkans regulation
• German Embassy Podgorica - Visa for taking up work according to the Western Balkans regulation (§ 26 para. 2 BeschV) with prior approval
• German Embassy Pristina - Taking up work after the Western Balkans regulation
• German Embassy Sarajevo - Appointments for visas under the Western Balkans Regulation
• German Embassy Skopje - Unqualified employment (nationals of Western Balkan countries) (§19 c AufenthG, §26 para. 2 BeschV)
• German Embassy Tirana - Important information on applying for a visa for unqualified employment ("Western Balkans regulation")

The residence permit must be applied for at the foreigners authority responsible for the place of residence.

You will find the following documents under Forms:

• Application for the issue or extension of a residence permit
• Declaration on the employment relationship
• Authorization to collect an eAT

Any change of employer in Germany must be applied for in good time at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

The processing time may vary. If necessary, please enquire at the responsible foreigners authority.

• Residence permit; general information
• National visa; application and extension
• Residence permit; application for amendment of the ancillary provisions
• Settlement permit; application
• Residence permit; application for the purpose of studying
• Residence permit; application for gainful employment in Germany
• Residence permit; application for family reunification with foreigners
• Residence permit; application for temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine
• Residence permit; application for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons
• Residence permit; application for in-company training and further training and school-based vocational training