The LZF is your contact for all questions about the fast-track procedure for skilled workers. The LZF directs and coordinates the procedure. It helps you to keep track of the various steps in the procedure.

The LZF offers services for companies that want to employ skilled workers or apprentices from a third country at a workplace in Baden-Württemberg.

The term ‘skilled worker’ applies to a person with a professional or academic degree. A skilled worker either completed vocational training or a course of study at a university.

You can submit your application for the fast-track procedure for skilled workers either to your local foreigners authority or to the LZF. However, please be sure to inform us if you have already submitted an application to another authority in order to avoid disadvantages in your procedure. Duplicate applications are not possible.

The fast-track-procedure for skilled workers saves you time because the processing deadlines are shortened. In addition, you no longer have to turn to the individual authorities for proceedings. The LZF will do this for you.

• The skilled worker or the future apprentice lives in a third country (outside the EU, the EEC and Switzerland)
• A concrete job offer from an employer in Baden-Württemberg
• In most cases, sufficient German language skills of the skilled worker are important and required

The fast-track procedure for skilled workers usually takes four months from the conclusion of the agreement with the LZF to the issuing of the preliminary approval.

You are welcome to call our hotline or contact us by e-mail. You can reach us at: Contact

The contact form is available at this link: contact form

Yes, you can submit missing documents. Keep in mind that incomplete documentation will increase the processing time for your application.

Recognition is the comparison of a professional or study degree obtained abroad with a vocational training for the reference profession (profession with which the foreign degree can be compared to) obtained in Germany.

A recognition procedure is often, but not always, necessary. However, it can also be helpful in these few exceptional cases. After examining your documents we will advise you whether recognition is mandatory in your case.

The LZF examines the requirements for the fast-track procedure for skilled workers and is happy to advise you on the recognition procedure. The recognition procedure itself is carried out by the competent professional chambers and institutions (e.g. the Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart, Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Chamber of Crafts). However, the LZF applies for recognition on your behalf and works closely with the authorities responsible for recognition. The recognition notice will be issued by the recognition authorities.

The fee for the fast-track procedure for skilled workers is 411,00 € upon conclusion of the agreement. There are also other fees charged by the recognition bodies. The amount of these fees varies according to the recognition body. 

In addition, other costs may be incurred in the current proceedings, such as translation costs for documents. 

You have the choice: In the fast-track procedure for skilled workers, you can either enter directly with your family or reunite with them within six months of your entry. At best, please tell us in your application whether you would like for your family to enter with you directly or shortly after you. This information must be provided at the latest before the granting of the preliminary approval by the Federal Employment Agency, so that we can take family reunification into account as part of your fast-track procedure for skilled workers.

No. If you inform us at the time of the conclusion of the agreement with the LZF or at the latest before the granting of the preliminary approval of the Federal Employment Agency that you want to bring your family with you, you do not have to pay any additional fees.