General information​​​​​​​

A skilled worker with a professional qualification that is recognized as equivalent to a qualified German vocational training can apply for a visa to work acc. to § 18a AufenthG. Possible areas of employment with vocational training in Germany are for example in craft business, agriculture, administration, tourism, IT, etc.

Please submit the following documents for your application, one original with one copy of each original in paper format A4: (Exception: For Fast Track Applications, you can submit a copy of German documents instead of an original. For online applications, only the originals of the Cambodian documents are required at the visit at the embassy; all other documents should already be uploaded online with the application.)

• Your valid passport

• One print-out of your duly filled and signed application form

• Two biometrical passport photos, one of which glued to the application form

• Visa fee 75 Euro, payable in USD

• Pre-approval from the competent German employment authority OR pre-approval for the accelerated procedure for skilled workers of the competent foreigners authority (if available)

• The following declaration form filled and signed by your employer: Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis

• Certificate of Recognition of the competent German state authority (e.g. hotel and restaurant management (Hotelfachmann): IHK FOSA, etc. see below)

• Diploma of your vocational or academic education (e.g. B.S.)

• If you are already over 45 years old and your gross monthly salary is less than EUR 4,152.50 or gross annual EUR 49,830: Please provide proof of an appropriate pension.

• Proof of health insurance coverage
  • Certificate of the German statutory health insurance with indicated confirmation of the validity of the health insurance cover from entry coverage from the date of entry
  • OR a certificate from a private health insurance company with indicated confirmation of the validity of the health insurance coverage from the date of entry, if the type and scope of health insurance coverage corresponds to that of a statutory health insurance,
  • OR an incoming health insurance for the period between the arrival and start of employment subject to social security contributions, if the type and scope of health insurance coverage corresponds to that of a statutory health insurance.

Your application must be submitted personally at the German Embassy. If you are applying together with your family, please note that a separate appointment registration is required for each person. Once you have obtained all the necessary documents, please register for an appointment here.

Please note:

Incomplete applications will be decided by the Embassy based on the documents that were submitted, and may be rejected.

To speed up the process, we recommend having your employer apply for a pre-approval from the competent German employment authority (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and to submit your visa application together with the pre-approval letter.
Alternatively, your employer in Germany can also submit an application for you in accordance with § 81a AufenthG (accelerated procedure for skilled workers) at the competent foreigners authority and then send you the preliminary approval of the foreigners authority (Fast Track Application).
You can also apply without a pre-approval of German authorities. Approval will then be obtained during the visa process.

The Service Centre for Professional Recognition can assist you in your professional recognition procedure. For further information, please see here. The responsibilities result from the BQFG: e.g. for non-craft trades: IHK (FOSA); for Professions according to Crafts Code: Chamber of Crafts; for agriculture: Chamber of Agriculture; for health service professions: medical-, dental-, veterinary- and pharmacist- chambers; etc.

Foreign documents which neither were issued in the Cambodia nor in Germany must be legalized or have an apostille.

Documents that are not in German or English language need to be translated by a recognized translator. For further information, please see here.

Please note that the Embassy can request further documents.