Filipino applicants · Federal Republic of Germany
Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) for Filipino citizens
General sponsored work residence permit for qualified non-EU workers with a German job offer.
- Processing time
- Visa typically 4–12 weeks.
- Government fees
- Visa €75; residence permit €100.
- Typical duration
- Usually up to 4 years or contract length plus 3 months.
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: Applicable consular post in origin country
Tourist entry vs. this route
Filipino nationals require a visa for any entry into Federal Republic of Germany. The Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Visa overview
The §18a (skilled workers with vocational training) and §18b (skilled workers with academic qualifications) residence permits cover qualified non-EU workers whose occupation aligns with their qualification. The 2023–24 Skilled Immigration Act broadened eligible occupations and removed the strict match between qualification and role for many sectors.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Recognised qualification (vocational for §18a, academic for §18b) or equivalent professional experience.
- ✓Qualifying German job offer.
- ✓For some professions, prior recognition of foreign qualification via Anerkennung process.
Common blockers
- !Regulated occupation without completed Anerkennung.
- !Role genuinely unrelated to qualification (narrower barrier post-reform but still possible).
Typical evidence
- ·Recognised qualification documentation.
- ·Employment contract or binding offer.
- ·Proof of language if required for role.
Application pathway
Check qualification recognition (Anerkennung)
For regulated professions (doctor, nurse, teacher, engineer in some Länder), complete Anerkennung. For non-regulated, confirm the qualification is comparable.
Secure qualifying job offer
Employer sponsorship is via signed contract rather than a separate sponsor licence.
Apply for entry visa
Submit to German consulate with contract, qualification evidence, passport.
Enter Germany and register
Anmeldung within 14 days.
Obtain residence permit
Book Ausländerbehörde appointment to convert visa into residence permit card.
Other Federal Republic of Germany routes covered for Filipino applicants
EU Blue Card (Germany)
Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying German job offer.
Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card)
Points-based 1-year residence permit that lets non-EU skilled workers move to Germany without a job offer to search for qualifying work. Six points or full qualification recognition required.
Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft)
Residence permit allowing skilled workers to complete their qualification recognition while living and working in Germany.
Comparable routes in other destinations
Frequently asked questions
Are Filipino citizens eligible for the Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG)?+
Eligibility for the Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) is set by BMWK / Federal Government and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Filipino applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Filipino applicants typically file the Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG)?+
Applicable consular post in origin country. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by BMWK / Federal Government — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Filipino applicants need a tourist visa for Federal Republic of Germany as well?+
Filipino nationals require a visa for any entry into Federal Republic of Germany. The Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Do I need to speak German?+
Not universally. For non-regulated occupations, German is often not required for visa approval but is frequently needed for everyday work life. Regulated professions — especially healthcare — typically require at least B1 or B2 German.