All the facts.No promises.
Costs, timelines, process – transparent and honest. So you can decide if this is right for you.
Is This Right for Your Company?
We tell you directly when international skilled workers make sense – and when they don't.
This makes sense if:
- You haven't found suitable applicants for 3+ months
- You have at least 6 months planning horizon
- You're ready to support onboarding
- Your company is stable (no acute insolvency risk)
- You want to keep the worker long-term, not just for one project
This does NOT make sense if:
- You need someone in 1-2 weeks (with EU candidates, 4-6 weeks is possible)
- You're only looking for a helper for simple tasks
- Your company has no time for onboarding
- You want to pay minimum wage
- You expect the worker to speak perfect German from day 1
Straight talk: International skilled worker placement is not a magic bullet. It's one option among several. Right for some companies, not for others. In the initial call, we clarify if it makes sense for you – free and non-binding.
Costs – Transparently Broken Down
per placed skilled worker
Payment Structure:
50% (€5,000)
Upon mutually signed employment contract
Covers: Candidate search, quality check, pre-selection
50% (€5,000)
After start of employment
EU workers: After 3 Monate
Third countries: After 6 Monate
What WE cover:
- •Visa fees
- •Certified translations
- •Recognition fees at HWK / IHK FOSA
What the CANDIDATE pays:
- •Travel costs to Germany
What YOU as employer may support:
- •Accommodation – We try to secure housing based on employment contracts. This doesn't always work. Some landlords require a rental guarantee, or you provide accommodation yourself.
Calculation Example:
An unfilled position typically costs you €2,500-4,000 per month – through lost revenue and overtime for existing staff. With €10,000 placement costs, you'll recover that in 2-4 months.
Estimate based on industry averages.
Timeline – Realistic, Not Optimistic
| Origin | Typical Duration | Why |
|---|---|---|
| EU (Poland, Romania, Croatia...) | 4-8 weeks | No visa needed, only search + check + relocation |
| Western Balkans (Serbia, Kosovo...) | 4-5 months | Simplified procedure, but visa required |
| Third countries (India, Philippines...) | 5-7 months | Full visa process + possibly recognition |
What influences the time:
This speeds up:
- Quick feedback on candidate presentation
- Complete documents from your side
- Flexibility with interview dates
- Clear idea of who you're looking for
This slows down:
- Authority processing times
- Missing documents from candidate
- Recognition process for regulated professions
- If you want to see multiple candidates
Important: Promises of 6 weeks usually only refer to candidate search – not the entire process until actual start of work.
How It Works
7 phases from your inquiry to the first working day
Pre-Qualification (runs upfront)
What we do:
- •Document verification (certificates, diplomas)
- •Verification with issuing institutions
- •Language test (standardized per CEFR)
- •Technical video interview
- •References from previous employers
Initial Call
What we do:
- •Phone or video call (30-45 min)
- •We clarify: What qualification, language level, when
- •Honest assessment if we can help
What you do:
- •Job description (informal is fine)
- •Define your minimum requirements
Candidate Search
What we do:
- •Matching from our pre-qualified pool (EU + third countries)
- •If needed: targeted search on specialized portals
- •Pre-selection of matching candidates
What you do:
- •Nothing – we'll get back to you with results
Presentation
What we do:
- •You receive 2-4 candidate profiles
- •Each profile: CV, certificates, language cert, video
- •Video call with candidates of your choice
What you do:
- •Review profiles (within 1 week please)
- •Conduct interviews
- •Make decision
Visa & Authorities
What we do:
- •Prepare all documents
- •Support visa application
- •Coordinate with authorities
- •Weekly status updates to you
What you do:
- •Sign employment contract
- •Pre-approval – we handle this with a power of attorney from you
Arrival & Start
What we do:
- •Coordinate arrival
- •Support with registration, bank account, etc.
- •Handover to you
What you do:
- •Accommodation for the first weeks (or help with it)
- •Onboarding at the company
- •Patience with language barriers at first
Follow-up
What we do:
- •Check-ins after 30, 60, 90, 180 days
- •Contact person for problems
- •Mediation in conflicts
How We Ensure Quality
6 stages. 77% fail. Only the best reach you.
Document Check
- •ID/Passport (authenticity check)
- •Vocational certificate (original + translation)
- •Work references (min. 2 years experience)
- •Criminal record (max. 3 months old)
Verification
- •Direct inquiry at training institutions
- •Cross-check with professional registers in home country
- •If needed: Pre-check for IHK recognition
About 12% fail here due to forged documents
Language Test
- •Standardized according to CEFR (A1 to C1)
- •Oral + written
- •By certified examiner
Technical Interview
- •45-60 minutes via video
- •Technical questions about tools, standards, methods
- •Practical scenarios: "How would you solve...?"
- •Conducted by industry experts
Reference Check
- •Call min. 2 previous employers
- •Standardized questions: punctuality, quality, teamwork
- •Verify employment history
Motivation Check
- •Why does the person want to go to Germany?
- •Family situation (anyone coming along?)
- •Realistic expectations? (salary, cost of living, weather)
- •Does the person plan to stay long-term?
Why so thorough?
Because we only collect 50% after employment starts. If the candidate doesn't fit, we earn less. So it's in our own interest to only place people who are really good.
Visa & Legal – Quick Overview
You don't need to understand this in detail. That's our job. Here's an overview anyway.
EU Freedom of Movement
No visa needed. Can start working tomorrow. Only registration at local office after arrival.
Countries: Poland, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, etc.
Western Balkans Regulation
Simplified procedure since 2016. Visa required, but no qualification recognition for most construction trades.
Quota: 50,000 per year nationwide
Countries: Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Montenegro
§18a Skilled Worker Immigration
For skilled workers whose qualification is already recognized in Germany. Standard pathway.
Countries: All third countries
§16d Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications
Paragraph 1: For measures to recognize foreign professional qualifications. Paragraph 3 – Recognition Partnership: The person can enter Germany even without a recognition application filed yet. The application must be submitted within one year of entry.
Countries: All third countries
What does "recognition" mean?
Germany checks if the foreign qualification is equivalent to the German one. For most construction trades (masons, concrete workers, etc.) this is usually not a problem. For regulated professions like electricians it can be more complex.
Important: We check this BEFORE placement and honestly tell you if recognition is needed and how long it takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? Just Call.
Free initial consultation. No obligation. We'll honestly tell you if we can help.