Is the occupation regulated?
Healthcare, nursing and education often involve professional licences or compensatory measures.
OTHER SERVICE · RECOGNITION
Professional recognition in Germany
Start with the type of occupation. Regulation, DAB, IHK/HWK recognition and Opportunity Card points are distinct issues.
What this service helps with
Anerkennung assesses whether your foreign vocational qualification is fully or partially equivalent to a German reference occupation, and whether further measures are needed.
DAB is a statement on a foreign non-academic vocational qualification. It differs from Anerkennung and cannot be used interchangeably.
Deqiao focuses on route assessment, matching a reference occupation, organising evidence and coordinating the Opportunity Card, Ausbildung or work visas.
What to clarify before starting
Reference occupation
Your subject and work duties must be matched to a German reference occupation.
Training records
Courses, placements, certificates and training hours must demonstrate your vocational education.
Visa goal
The Opportunity Card, work visa or career route affects recognition priorities.
How Deqiao can help
Classify the occupation
Distinguish regulated and non-regulated occupations, DAB and other documentation routes.
Match a reference occupation
Map your education and work duties to the German reference occupation.
Organise supporting evidence
Review course, placement and employment evidence, translations and authentication needs; liaise with IHK FOSA, HWK or the relevant body for your occupation.
Next steps after partial equivalence
Explain compensatory measures, language, courses and possible Opportunity Card points.
Coordinate visa options
Plan next steps alongside the Opportunity Card, work visa or Ausbildung route.
Service contract and invoice
We provide a service contract and invoice to document the scope, payments and records for future use.
Common risks
Treating DAB as recognition
DAB describes vocational qualifications; it does not assess professional equivalence.
Choosing the wrong reference occupation
If the occupation is wrong, more documents may still fail to establish a match.
Missing proof of full-time training
Unclear training evidence can affect Opportunity Card or DAB assessment.
Misunderstanding partial equivalence
Partial equivalence is neither failure nor full recognition of a qualification.
FAQ
Are DAB and Anerkennung the same?
No. DAB describes foreign non-academic vocational training; Anerkennung assesses equivalence with a German reference occupation.
What does partial equivalence help with?
It identifies differences and may support Opportunity Card points. Further measures and the visa route still need assessment.
Do regulated occupations always need recognition?
Many require recognition or a licence to practise. The details depend on the occupation and workplace.
What if I lack complete course records?
Assess what existing evidence proves, then decide whether school, employer or other supporting documents are needed.
Does recognition directly lead to a work visa?
Not on its own. The job, contract, language, funding and other visa requirements also matter.
Find the right route first
Share your background, goals and existing documents. We assess the direction, identify missing evidence and explain what to do next.