Life in Germany

My Experience with Germany’s Work Permit ZAV Pre-Approval

For people with an ambitious and adventurous mindset, Berlin is a great city to visit — or even settle in. It attracts creatives, tech professionals, and people looking for new opportunities. For startups and companies in the creative industry, Berlin is also an excellent place to find talented people from all over the world.

However, if you’re an employer trying to hire someone from outside the EU/EEA, there’s some additional paperwork involved. One important step is applying for a work permit pre-approval through the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, or BA).

In this article, I’ll share my personal experience going through this process as a non-EU applicant and what I learned along the way. Please note that I’m not a legal expert, this is simply based on what worked for me.

What is ZAV?

The Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung or ZAV (Central Agency for International and Specialized Services) is a division of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, or BA). It supports Germany's international labor market by helping employers recruit qualified professionals from abroad and by providing services for specific industries and employment categories.

Example include:

  • Skilled professional roles (e.g. IT specialists, engineers, and other qualified professionals)

  • Internships, traineeships, and Ausbildung: ZAV way abroad, Internship in Germany

  • Jobs in arts, culture, media: ZAV artist agency

  • Specialized hospitality and healthcare professions: ZAV health and care

  • International employee assignments (Entsendung)

  • Certain quota-based and short-term employment programs

As a designer working in a creative field, my application was reviewed through the Federal Employment Agency's international employment process. Depending on the role, visa category, and employment situation, different teams within the Federal Employment Agency may be involved.

While applicants often hear the term "ZAV," the process is ultimately part of the Federal Employment Agency. In many international hiring cases, the ZAV is responsible for handling work authorization reviews and pre-approval requests.

What Is a Work Permit Pre-Approval?

A work permit pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) is an approval issued by the Federal Employment Agency that can help speed up the visa application process for non-EU citizens seeking employment in Germany.

It is often obtained before the employee submits their application for a Type D national visa at a German embassy or consulate abroad.

During the review, the Federal Employment Agency typically checks:

  • Whether the job offer is genuine and sufficiently detailed

  • Whether the salary, working conditions, and responsibilities are comparable to those offered to employees in Germany

  • Whether any additional labor market requirements apply to the position

In some cases, the agency may also assess whether preferential candidates already residing in Germany or the EU are available for the role. This is known as a priority check (Vorrangprüfung). However, for many qualified professional positions today, priority checks are no longer required, and the review focuses primarily on employment conditions.

If all requirements are met, the Federal Employment Agency grants approval, allowing the applicant to proceed with the visa process.

*Type D National Visa: A long-stay visa that allows non-EU/EEA citizens to enter Germany for stays longer than 90 days.

A Quick Note: Pre-approval vs. Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure

One point that often causes confusion is that the work permit pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) is different from the Accelerated Skilled Worker Procedure (Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren) under Section 81a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG).

The accelerated procedure is initiated through the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) and follows a separate process designed to shorten administrative timelines for qualified professionals.

Tip for Employers: Start Early

In my case, my employer submitted the required documents before I applied for my visa. This helped shorten the overall process significantly.

If you're an employer, I recommend contacting the relevant employment agency early to confirm which documents are required and whether any additional steps apply to your case. Preparing documentation in advance can help avoid delays later on.

It is also worth noting that parts of the process have become increasingly digital in recent years, and some applications may be submitted electronically depending on the responsible office.

Documents We Submitted

Below is the list of documents that my employer and I submitted during my application process.

From the Employer:

  • Job Description (Stellenbeschreibung): A detailed description of the position, responsibilities, and qualifications required.

  • Pre-Approval Application Form (Anfrage zur Vorabzustimmung)

  • Employment Contract: Should include job title, salary, working hours, and contract duration

From Me (the Employee):

  • University Diploma: Since my degree was issued outside Germany, I checked its status in the ANABIN database, and included the relevant ANABIN information. Depending on the profession and visa category, additional recognition documents may sometimes be required.

  • My CV / Resume

  • Copy of my passport (photo page)

  • Any professional certificates or licenses: Any professional certifications, licenses, or documents relevant to the position.

Application Process: Step-by-Step

Here's how the process worked in my case:

  1. My employer contacted the relevant employment agency to confirm the required procedure.

    Although many people refer to this as "going through ZAV," the responsible office can vary depending on the employment situation and internal case allocation.

  2. My employer submitted the application and required documents: My employer prepared and submitted all necessary documents to the relevant employment agency (such as the Federal Employment Agency or ZAV, depending on the case).
    This typically included the job description, employment contract, and the application form for pre-approval.

    As an employee, I was not directly involved in this submission stage — my employer handled the application on my behalf.

  3. The employment agency reviewed the application. The authority then reviewed all submitted documents and assessed whether the employment conditions met the required standards.

  4. The agency contacted my employer if clarification was needed.

    During the review process, the agency reached out to my employer to clarify a few minor details.

  5. Pre-approval was granted.
    In my case, the approval was issued within approximately two weeks. However, processing times can vary depending on workload, visa category, and individual circumstances.

  6. I used the approval letter to apply for my Type D national visa.
    If any information is missing or unclear, the agency will usually contact the employer directly. Keeping communication clear and responding quickly helps the process go more smoothly.

If any information is missing or unclear, the agency will usually contact the employer for clarification. Staying responsive and providing complete documentation can help the process move more smoothly.

Final Thoughts

The pre-approval process might seem intimidating at first, but in my experience, it was relatively straightforward once we understood the requirements.

Having a proactive employer made a significant difference. They were willing to communicate with the authorities, prepare the necessary documents, and respond quickly when questions arose.

If you're a non-EU professional considering a move to Germany, I hope this article helps you better understand what the process may involve. And if you're an employer, don't let the administrative steps discourage you — hiring international talent can be well worth the effort.

Disclaimer

This article is based on my personal experience applying for a work permit pre-approval as a non-EU citizen in Germany in 2017. The content has been reviewed and updated using publicly available information available in 2025–2026.

Immigration regulations and administrative procedures can change over time and may vary depending on the applicant's nationality, profession, visa category, and location. Always consult the Federal Employment Agency, the relevant German embassy or consulate, the local immigration authority, or a qualified immigration professional for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.