Germany offers various pathways for foreign professionals to gain recognition for their qualifications. If you have applied, as an international medical graduate, for the recognition of your professional qualifications for starting a medical residency in Germany, and the responsible authority has determined that your qualification cannot be fully recognised, you can attend qualifying measures in Germany to acquire the missing theoretical and practical skills. These measures may include courses inside a hospital, specialised training programs, preparatory courses for exams such as the KP or the FSP, or job-related German language courses. Learn about what is a FSP exam in Germany, necessary for medical residency in Germany here.
To participate in such measures, you will need a residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications (§ 16d Abs. 1 AufenthG).
Is Visa § 16d Only for Recognition of Foreign Qualifications of Medical Doctors?
No. This visa type (§ 16d Abs. 1 AufenthG) is issued to all medical professionals, such as nurses, pharmacists, geriatric care providers, or doctors, who want to gain recognition of their foreign qualifications in Germany. The following text will discuss exclusively the requirements for doctors; however, the general guidelines can be used for all other medical professionals. For exact information about your medical profession, please refer to the state authority responsible.
What Are The Requirements of Visa § 16d for Medical Residency in Germany?
Proof of Partial Recognition
You must have initiated the recognition process, and the responsible authority must have determined the partial equivalence of your qualification. This means the authority has identified, through a recognition notice (Defizitbescheid), that you must gain specific theoretical and practical skills required to recognise your qualification fully. This document plays a crucial role for foreign medical doctors seeking to start a medical residency in Germany. You can learn about the purpose, components and steps to apply for a Defizitbescheid for a medical residency in Germany here.
Confirmation of Enrollment in a Qualifying Measure
You must successfully enrol in a relevant qualifying measure. This could be a preparatory course for FSP exam to start learning medical German, or a practical experience such as a hospitation. If this involves primarily practical training in a hospital, the hospital department must outline in a training plan how the identified deficits will be addressed and specify the salary you will receive during the practical training. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve the qualifying measure in this case.
Proof of German Language Skills
Generally, you need German language skills at the A2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (GER). Note that higher-level German skills may be required for specific qualifying measures in Germany, for example, to participate in an FSP preparatory course, the minimum language level requirement is B2/C1 level (GER). Learn what is a FSP exam in Germany, necessary for medical residency in Germany here.
Securing Livelihood
You must prove that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay in Germany. This can be demonstrated through a blocked account (at least €1,027 per month for 2024) or a declaration of commitment.
What Opportunities Does the Visa § 16d for Medical Residency in Germany Offer?
Total Duration of Visa
Upon entering Germany, you will typically receive a residence permit for the purpose of recognising your foreign qualification or carrying out the necessary qualifying measures for up to 24 months. This permit can be extended by an additional 12 months if, for example, you need to retake an exam or there is a delay in issuing the certificate.
Partial Employment to Financially Support Yourself
You are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week in a job unrelated to the qualifying measure. If the job is related to the field in which you seek qualification, you can work without time restrictions, subject to approval by the Federal Employment Agency (BA).
Options After Successfully Completing the Qualifying Measures for Medical Residency in Germany
Apply for a Medical Residency Course
If you successfully complete your qualifying measure and obtain full recognition, you can stay in Germany for up to 12 months to find a qualified job. You will need a residence permit for job search (§ 20 Abs. 3 Nr. 4 AufenthG), which you can apply for at the local Foreigners' Authority without having to leave Germany. During this period, you can take up any employment. To learn how to find a medical residency in Germany after achieving the medical license (Approbation) click here.
Apply for a Residence Permit
If you have already secured a subsequent job, study, or training position, you can immediately apply for a residence permit at the local Foreigners' Authority without leaving Germany. Possible residence titles include:
- Residence permit for skilled workers
- EU Blue Card
- Residence permit for vocational training
- Residence permit for studying
Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings that Doctors Make Applying for 16d Visa
Here is an overview of the most common problems and how to avoid them:
1. Incomplete documentation
Many applicants do not submit all the required documents, which leads to considerable delays in the recognition procedure.
Solution: Make sure that all documents, such as diplomas, certificates and proof of professional experience, are fully and correctly translated and notarized.
2. Misunderstanding the language requirements
A common misconception is that minimal language skills are sufficient for a residence permit to be issued. The requirement is sufficient language skills at A2 level.
Solution: Acquire at least sufficient German language skills as required for the specific job requirements in order to avoid misunderstandings.
3. Misinterpretation of qualification measures
It is often assumed that any type of qualification or further training falls under Section 16d.
Solution: Check whether your training measures are specifically geared towards the recognition of professional qualifications and have been approved by the Federal Employment Agency.
4. Insufficient coordination with employers
Some applicants do not secure the necessary support and commitment from their employers for the recognition process.
Solution: Have clear discussions with your potential employer in advance about the requirements and obligations arising from the recognition procedure.
5. Delays in submitting applications
Delays are often caused by a lack of clarity about the right time and the steps required to submit the application.
Solution: Inform yourself thoroughly about the deadlines and required steps at the responsible office in order to submit all necessary documents in time.
Seeking guidance from professionals such as Rohit Batra, who specialise in assisting foreign medical doctors, can be highly beneficial in navigating this complex process. This is to ensure there are no unnecessary delays as they usually can set you back a couple of months, if you're lucky. (Some people even report delays of up to 12 months because of a small mistake in document preparation!)
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How to Correctly Apply for 16d Visa to Germany as Foreign Doctor with Professional Assistance?
The team behind Rohit Batra Teach has streamlined the process of application to a medical residency in Germany for foreign doctors and is helping YOU with the following:
Recognition of Foreign Medical QualificationsForeign medical doctors must have their medical qualifications recognised by German authorities. This process can be complex and may require additional steps to prepare the necessary documents properly. This is to avoid delays in the entire process (sometimes delays can extend your overall timeline by 12 months!)
Application for the correct visaThere are plenty of pitfalls in applying for a visa § 16d Abs. 1 AufenthG for recognition of foreign qualifications for medical residency in Germany. But we're here to help you navigate these challenges. You focus on learning the German language, and we'll take care of the rest, providing you with the support you need.
Medical German Language RequirementsProficiency in the German language is essential. Foreign medical doctors must pass language exams, often requiring a medical German language exam course or a hospitation, to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. We will help you get the experience you need.
Medical Residency Application ProcessOnce your qualifications are recognised and language requirements are met, you can confidently apply for a medical residency in Germany, knowing we're here to guide you through the process.
We can help you! Reach out to us for a custom made plan made for you. Fill up the form to the Accelerator Program for a 15-min free online consult and take the 1st step towards your medical residency in Germany.
Rohit Batra Teach- Career in Germany for Everyone
"Here we support the next generation of foreign medical doctors start a medical residency in Germany. Discover our customised programs designed to accelerate your path to a German medical residency program. Start your journey today!"
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