Germany – Closer Scrutiny of Academic Qualifications for Blue Card Applications
The German immigration authorities (Ausländerbehörde) will require official evaluation of university diplomas submitted in support of EU Blue Card applications, according to the Frankfurt authorities, who are already implementing this new rule.
Authorities in other regions, as well as German diplomatic missions abroad, are expected to implement this new requirement soon.
Previously, Blue Card applicants could simply consult the Anabin database to check whether their academic qualifications were recognized in Germany for the purposes of a Blue Card application.
Under the new rule, the applicant must request a Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Processing of this application currently takes three weeks, but this is likely to increase as the new rule is implemented everywhere.
Action Items
- Applicants for EU Blue Cards in Germany and their employers should allow extra time for obtaining academic qualification recognition.