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WELCOME TO IHK FOSA

Applications can be submitted now digitally!

Your direct route to digital application via the Recognition Finder on the portal "Recognition in Germany "
Kollage aus verschiedenen Berufen links, rechts unscharf abstrakte Grauglas Wand
Links Kollage diverser Berufe: Zwei Personen mit Sicherheitswesten, eine davon hält ein Planungsdokument in der Hand, Koch, Labormitarbeiterin und Arbeiter bei der Metallbearbeitung, rechts unscharf abstrakte Grauglas Wand

 Our mission - your success 

IHK FOSA is the recognition body for foreign qualifications comparable to IHK professions. As a nationwide competence center of 76 Chambers of Industry and Commerce, we carry out the recognition procedure.

 We show who is a skilled worker

With the IHK FOSA equivalency notification, people having acquired professional qualifications abroad can show that they are skilled workers. This enables entrepreneurs assessing qualifications acquired abroad more easily. 
Lupe, die auf einer Laptop-Tastatur liegt und Bücherregal auf dem Bildschirm Laptop mit auf der Tastatur liegenden Lupe und Bild eines Bücherregals auf dem Bildschirm
What is our mission?

Based on the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG), the recognition of foreign professional qualifications comparable to IHK professions is assessed. Relevant professional experience and certificates of competence are taken into consideration in this process. This is relevant in case there are material differences between the foreign professional qualification and the corresponding German reference profession.
Aus Papier geschnittene menschliche Umrisse, rechts und links geschützt von zwei Händen Scherenschnitt von im Kreis angeordneten menschlichen Umrissen aus Papier, links und rechts von zwei Händen geschützt
How do we work?

IHK FOSA is a centralized body standing for consistent and high quality decisions. Our organization combines country expertise on training systems worldwide with the multilingualism of our team. This knowledge base strengthens our work in a special way.
Sechs Mitarbeitende aus verschiedenen Nationen stehen hintereinander Sechs Mitarbeitende aus verschiedenen Nationen hintereinander stehend
Who uses our process?

Tens of thousands of skilled workers from all over the world have already made use of the legal opportunities and submitted an application to IHK FOSA. More and more companies are recognising the value of the procedure as a transparency tool. An equivalency notification from IHK FOSA is therefore a solid component for securing the skilled labour needs of the German economy.
Videomontage verschiedener Menschen und Berufe, die lächelnd vor der Kamera stehen Videomontage verschiedener Menschen und Berufe, die lächelnd vor der Kamera stehen
Skilled worker immigration 

Recognition - important and correct

The recognition procedure is an instrument of transparency. The recognition notification provides international skilled workers with a legally binding notice allowing to show on the German labour market what they've learned. A notice about full or partial equivalence also opens up  the way for immigration to Germany, e.g. to take up or seek employment. Find out how recognition helps you to immigrate here.

IHK FOSA in figures

Mehrere Hände, die auf ineinander greifenden Zahnrädern liegen

Prepare the recognition procedure

Make use of the exisiting counselling services before submitting your application. Get familiarised with the recognition procedure. Find out which documents have to be submitted in any event and save preparation time.
Oberkörper einer unscharfen männlichen Person, deren Hände auf einem Laptop tippen. Über der Tastatur sind weiße Kacheln mit verschiedenen Symbolen abgebildet, z.B. Glühbirne, drei Zahnräder, eine Lupe

Application for Recognition

In case you have all documents to be submitted ready and there are no further questions about the recognition procedure, you can jump directly to the application process here.