Counselling in Germany
Advice from the Chambers of Industry and Commerce
We recommend that you seek advice before submitting your application to IHK FOSA. As a rule, you will receive free of charge initial advice in person or by telephone from your local IHK. Ask your local IHK for a possible appointment and whether you might have to prepare documents or bring them with you. This enables many questions to be clarified in advance.
Our colleagues in the IHKs will also support you, particularly in identifying which German qualification corresponds most closely to your foreign vocational qualification. This makes evaluation easier for the IHK FOSA and can speed up the process.
The Chamber of Industry of Commerce next to your place of residence as well as the contact person in charge for an individual consultation about the recognition procedure will be displayed here:
Network IQ
The nationwide network “Integration through Qualification (IQ)” has been promoting the integration of people with migration background into the German labor market since 2005. Since mid-2011 sixteen regional IQ networks covering all federal states are giving advice on site to all those interested in the recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad. Contact details of counsellors near your place of living are provided by the counseling search, further informations about recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad and labor market integration can be found on the website of the IQ network.
Counselling Abroad
Pro Recognition
Since 2015, the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad have established themselves as service centers for counselling in regards to the recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad. Coordination and controlling of the project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is provided by DIHK Service GmbH in close coordination with the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).
Skilled workers from abroard can get advice in regards to recognition in the following countries:
Algeria Bosnia Herzegovina Brasil Colombia Egypt India Iran Italy Poland Vietnam
Which documents have to be attached to my application?
Documents Application for Foreign Professional Qualifications Equivalence
Documents Follow-up Application
Counselling Germany and abroad
Hotline "Working and living in Germany " for international professionals
The telephone hotline "Working and Living in Germany", run by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) as well as the Central Placement Service (ZAV) of the Federal Employment Agency, answers questions about immigration and integration in German and English.
In a personal consultation you will receive information on the topics entry and residence, learning German, job search, work and careers as well as the recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad.
The hotline is available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. under the number: +49 30 1815-1111.
Information on telephone charges incurred are available at https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/about-the-portal/contact/hotline/