Review Process of VET certificates issued by chambers of commerce abroad (AHKs) (Category A)
Starting on 1 March 2024, the law and ordinance on the further development of skilled worker immigration has provided new options for citizens of third countries in terms of working, job seeking and the recognition of professional qualifications in Germany. Working in non-regulated occupations no longer requires a German vocational qualification, nor a vocational qualification which is recognised in Germany. A vocational qualification recognised by the state in the respective country of training is enough in cases where the person also has sufficient professional experience, as well as a determined minimum wage or a German employer collective agreement commitment. The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) checks whether the qualification is recognised by the state in the country of training.
As an alternative to a state-recognised vocational qualification in the country of training, vocational education and training certificates from the German chambers of commerce abroad (AHKs) can also be used as qualification evidence. This requires confirmation from BIBB that the AHK qualification has been obtained via training which meets the requirements of vocational education and training under the German Vocational Training Act (BBiG) in terms of content, duration and the nature of delivery and that the qualification is suitable for providing the necessary vocational skills and competencies for a training occupation under the BBiG or the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code (HwO) (Section 6(1) no.3(c) of the Employment Regulation, BeschV).
This confirmation is not provided by BIBB as part of an individual check of AHK certificates. Rather, a course is only checked at the request of an AHK. These authorities with the right to make the request do so via VET-check@bibb.de and are then promptly included in the review process.
BIBB issues the result of the check to the AHK which made the request and informs the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). If the requesting AHK has indicated within the application or during the process that the DIHK is acting as proxy for this procedure, then BIBB will send the results to the DIHK.
Cooperation agreement regarding implementation of BIBB tasks in accordance with Section 90(3b) of the Vocational Training Act
Submitting request / contact
AHKs can submit requests to VET-check@bibb.de for confirmation that their professional qualifications (type A) meet the requirements of vocational education and training under the German Vocational Training Act (BBiG) - specifically in terms of content, duration and nature of delivery - and that they are suitable for providing the necessary vocational skills and competencies for a training occupation under the BBiG or the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code (HwO).
After checking a course in quality category A, BIBB publishes the result. A list of all courses which have been checked and confirmed by BIBB (at the request of an AHK) is available here:
This list is used as an assessment criterion in the immigration process by the Federal Employment Agency and the visa centres, and is regularly updated.
No requests from individuals
AHK courses are only checked at the request of the AHK awarding the respective qualifications. Courses are not checked at the request of individuals.
Costs
Costs incurred by BIBB will be charged to the requesting AHK at a rate of € 97.00 per course.
Further information
Interested in having your AHK qualification checked, or appointing a person with an AHK qualification? Please contact the AHK that issued the qualification:
Contact details of all AHKs worldwide
Please note
On a purely legal basis, AHK qualifications in the DIHK quality category A for AHK vocational education and training activities ("German dual vocational education and training abroad”) do not permit the awarding of a qualification (cf. Section 2(3) under the German Vocational Training Act, BBiG). If the qualification is not recognised by the state under the national law of the country of training, then there is no access to a recognition procedure under the Federal Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (cf. Section 3(3) BQFG). AHK qualifications in quality category A also conform very closely to the relevant German training regulations under the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) or the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code (HwO).
The positive check of an AHK qualification by BIBB serves as proof of requirements under Section 6(1) no.3(c) of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners (BeschV). This does not result in an equal legal status to, or equivalence with, a German professional qualification.
Data protection
Detailed information regarding data protection is available in our Data Privacy Policy