The Work-and-Stay Agency: what it is and when it starts
Germany's planned one-stop agency for skilled immigrants, where it stands in October 2026, and what to do today instead.
Short answer
Not livestatus of the Work-and-Stay Agency in October 2026
The Work-and-Stay Agency is a planned federal agency and digital portal meant to handle skilled immigration in one place. As of October 2026 it has not launched: the federal cabinet agreed key points in late 2025, but there is no law, no portal and no start date. Until it exists, you apply for work visas through the German mission and the Consular Services Portal, as before.
Many websites, including an earlier version of this one, described the Work-and-Stay Agency as if it already existed. It does not. This guide explains what is planned and what you should do now.
What the agency is meant to be
The Work-and-Stay Agency (Work-and-Stay-Agentur) is the government's plan to bundle skilled immigration in one place. The ideas include:
- one digital portal for visa, recognition and residence applications
- documents submitted once and shared between authorities
- faster recognition of foreign qualifications
- a central contact point for employers and applicants
Where it stands in October 2026
- Late 2025: the federal cabinet approved key points (Eckpunkte) for the agency.
- March 2026: the deadline the government set itself for a detailed implementation plan passed without one. The National Regulatory Control Council published a position paper on how to build it.
- September 2026: reporting shows officials still debating basic questions, such as whether residence procedures move from local immigration offices to the federal level.
There is no law setting up the agency, no portal you can use and no start date.
What to do today
- Choose your route: the EU Blue Card, a skilled worker permit, the experience-based route or the Chancenkarte. The skilled worker visa guide compares them.
- Check recognition of your degree in the anabin database, or apply to the ZAB for a statement of comparability.
- Apply for your visa through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal and the German embassy or consulate in your country.
- Ask your employer about the fast-track procedure (beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren). The employer starts it at the local immigration office in Germany, which can shorten the wait for a visa appointment.
Questions people ask
Is the Work-and-Stay Agency portal available?
No. As of October 2026 there is no portal. Be careful with websites that ask you to register or pay for "WSA" access.
Will the Work-and-Stay Agency change my visa requirements?
The plans are about procedures: who handles your case and how documents are shared. Salary thresholds and visa categories are set by law and published each year.
When will the Work-and-Stay Agency start?
No start date has been announced. We will update this guide, and the Durchsage newsletter, when there is one.
Sources
Information only. Not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official source linked above before you act.
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