Only professionals with a recognized foreign academic degree or a recognized foreign vocational training can apply for this visa. Further information is provided here. You are only considered as a qualified professional if your qualifications are recognized in Germany or are equivalent to a German degree or diploma. If you do not fulfill this requirement yet, you are not considered as a qualified professional and you should therefore not apply for this type of visa.

Moreover, you need to find out here if your profession is regulated (e.g. healthcare sector) or not. If your profession is regulated you are required to hold a “Berufsausübungserlaubnis” additionally.

If your profession is not regulated and you are holding a university degree:

You should check if your degree is listed as “entspricht” or “gleichwertig” AND your university is listed as “H+” in “Anabin”. If one of these conditions does not apply, you must present a Statement of Comparability issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen – ZAB)

You are required to present a valid passport (min. validity 6 months).

The following documents must be presented to the Embassy during your appointment. Make sure to handover only complete applications.

• Filled in application form (national visa) + declaration form (Section 54 (2) 8 in conjunction with Section 53 of the Residence Act)
• 3 biometric passport photos (not older than 6 months)
• Copy of all pages of your passport (A4 size copy)
• Motivation letter including details about your planned job search (sector, region, intended place in Germany) + CV
• O/L & A/L examination certificates
• Academic degree + other experience certificates for future employment in Germany O R vocational training certificate + other experience certificates for future employment in Germany
• If applicable (regulated profession): “Gleichwertigkeitsbescheid” + “Berufsausübungserlaubnis” or “Defizitbescheid”
• If applicable (vocational training certificate + not regulated profession): “Gleichwertigkeitsbescheid” or “Defizitbescheid”
• If applicable (university degree + not regulated profession): print of ANABIN results • Including the information under “Bewertung” (on clicking the plus sign) providing information on how the relevant degree can be classified in the German education system (Äquivalenzklasse) OR Statement of Comparability issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen – ZAB).
• Proof of means of subsistence: • Blocked account (minimum 939 € per month). Information regarding possible providers offering blocked accounts can be found here • OR “Verpflichtungserklärung” by a sponsor in Germany
• Information regarding your intended first address in Germany (e.g. tenancy agreement or hotel reservation or invitation letter in case of private accommodation)

Please prepare two identical application sets with the above-mentioned documents copied and bring all your original certificates along. Moreover, every set has to be sorted already in the correct order as showed above!

Fee: EUR 75 (to be paid in Rs., by credit card or cash) – no refund in case of rejection! Conversion into Rs. is made based on the exchange rate at the time of application.

Note further:

False or falsified documents will lead to the refusal of the visa and / or further consequences.

Incomplete applications may result in refusal. Complete documentation does not guarantee a visa approval.

The German Embassy Colombo reserves the right to ask for additional documents and / or call applicant for additional information or interview.

Download as pdf here