Frequently asked questions

IT-Forward is a German recruitment agency with extensive experience in recruiting highly qualified IT experts from Iran. We combine your technological expertise with personalized support to connect you with leading businesses in the German IT sector. Our customized matchmaking processes and deep industry insights ensure that we pair you with companies eager to establish long-term, valuable, and trusting relationships with their skilled employees.

The German Job Market: A Landscape of Opportunities and Challenges.

Germany offers a wealth of opportunities across diverse sectors including Information Technology (IT), Engineering, Healthcare, and Finance. As the home to a myriad of multinational corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the nation consistently seeks skilled professionals. Germany's dedication to innovation and its robust industrial base make it a highly attractive destination for job seekers from around the globe.

With a strong economy, Germany attracts talent worldwide, becoming a dynamic melting pot of professionals eager to advance their careers. The allure of working in an environment that not only fosters professional growth but also provides a high standard of living is compelling. This creates a significant opportunity for Iranian specialists looking to make impactful career strides.

Engineering roles, particularly in the IT sector, are highly sought after, with IT experts topping the list of needed professions. Presently, there are over 200,000 job opportunities available in the IT field.

Germany offers a wide array of opportunities in the IT sector, encompassing various disciplines. These include roles such as software engineers, programmers proficient in multiple programming languages, developers, network specialists, backend developers, web designers, and IT architects, among others.

Yes, hiring an employee from abroad has become straightforward for German employers. They no longer require a permit or license to do so. The only requirements are to provide foreign candidates with an employment contract and complete the necessary government documentation related to the immigration process and skilled worker visa.

The salary for an IT Specialist in Germany varies based on the position. Typically, it ranges from a minimum of 45.000 € to a maximum of 80.000 € annually, gross before tax and insurance deductions.

Due to the economic and social challenges in Iran, many skilled workers are seeking new career opportunities abroad, with Germany being a popular destination. The German government actively supports the recruitment of skilled workers from Iran, offering valuable guidance on employing Iranian IT specialists. This initiative helps bridge the demand for skilled labor in Germany's robust IT sector.

Yes, you can, but based on our experience and feedback from many Iranian job seekers, the likelihood of success is quite low. Navigating through all the recruiting processes and interviews alone can be challenging. There are several factors that could hinder your progress without you even realizing, such as:

• Whether your resume is properly formatted
• Whether your resume will be accepted by applicant tracking systems
• Whether you are applying for jobs that match your experience
• Whether your language skills are sufficient
• Whether you can successfully navigate the interview process
• And many other factors

Given these complexities, seeking professional guidance can significantly improve your chances of securing a job in Germany.

We focus on the IT sector, typically possess a more profound understanding of specific industries or geographic markets. This expertise allows us to offer more customized recruitment solutions that cater effectively to the needs of both employers and job seekers.

We work closely with companies to comprehend their staffing requirements and then align these needs with suitable candidates from their extensive database. In conclusion, our role as a specialized recruitment agency in Germany is crucial in easing the transition for job seekers into the German job market. By understanding the unique services our agency provides, job seekers can make well-informed decisions and choose the agency that best supports their career goals.

Yes! We specialize in helping candidates find fulfilling jobs in Germany's IT sector. We offer pre-employment skills assessments to ensure you're well-prepared to meet the demands of potential employers. Our job placement services are designed to connect you with suitable employers and identify the best job matches based on your skills and aspirations. If you're actively seeking employment, we provide comprehensive support throughout the process, ensuring you have all the resources you need to succeed.

As a well-established German recruitment agency, IT-Forward boasts extensive experience in placing IT specialists with top German companies. Our dedicated teams in Iran and Germany guide you seamlessly from the initial stages of application to your first day at work, covering every step from A to Z.

Understanding the role of a recruitment agency like IT-Forward is key. We provide a vital link to a broad spectrum of job opportunities that match your skills and career goals. Moreover, we offer invaluable guidance and support throughout your job search, ensuring you are well-prepared and strategically positioned to capitalize on the right opportunities.

Here's how our process works once you register and provide all the necessary information:

• Step One in Iran: Our local manager will review your resume, English proficiency, academic credentials, and professional experience. This stage includes coaching and preparation for professional interviews with potential employers, including role-play scenarios. If you're serious about relocating to Germany as a skilled worker, now is the time to prepare your documents for translation and legalization.
• Step Two in Germany: Having successfully completed the initial procedures, our technical managers in Germany will assess your technical and German language skills (if required) through interviews and tests. We then promote your polished resume to prospective employers with suitable job openings.
• Step Three in Germany: Upon receiving positive feedback from businesses or partner recruitment agencies, we will prepare you for your first interviews with the HR or technical departments of potential employers. Our support continues unabated during this crucial phase. Success in these interviews leads to a concept contract from the employer, which you will review and sign, confirming your new position. We also assist with the submission of your job contract and academic documents to ZAB for the evaluation of foreign qualifications.
• Step Four in Iran: You should start your visa process through the Visa Metric Office.
• Step Five in Germany: Once your visa is approved, we will help you finalize your start date with your employer.

For a comprehensive understanding of how IT-Forward can facilitate your career advancement in Germany, please contact us directly. Your new career awaits!

No, there are absolutely no fees. Our comprehensive services, including consultation, advice, interview preparation, employer outreach, and resume review, are entirely free of charge from the initial meeting in Iran until the contract signing with your new employer. However, please note that other expenses such as settlement services in Germany, visa fees, translation and legalization costs, and travel and accommodation expenses are not covered by IT-Forward.

In partnership with a reputable German service provider, we've expanded our services to include a "Settlement Service". This service is designed to offer exceptional support and amenities, ensuring a seamless and stress-free transition to your new home in Germany. While there is a fee, the value and comfort it provides are incomparable.

Here's how it works: Once you've signed your contract and confirmed your move to Germany, you'll receive a curated list of rental properties in your future work area—both furnished and unfurnished options are available. You can select your preferred accommodation and proceed with the rental agreement before leaving Iran.

Additional services include:

• Airport pick-up and transportation for you and your family to your new home.
• Comprehensive orientation, including information about your town, your legal rights, registration at the local municipality, securing German health insurance, opening a bank account, using public transportation, and exploring educational facilities if you have children.
• Introduction to your employer.

All these services are meticulously overseen by us to ensure everything is arranged smoothly and efficiently.

Yes! To streamline your hiring process, we recommend the following steps:

• Legalization of Academic Documents: Upload your university diplomas, such as BS or MS, and academic transcripts to the Iranian website SAJAD for legalization. Ensure you retain the approval.
• Translation of Documents: Translate all necessary documents into German (preferred) or English. This includes diplomas, technical certificates, birth certificates (yours, your spouse's, and your children's if applicable), marriage certificates, language certificates, and other relevant documents.
• Legalization of Translated Documents: Take all your documents to the VSA METRIC Office in Tehran for further legalization.
• Submission to ZAB: Once you have signed your job contract, send it along with all translated and legalized documents to the ZAB institute in Germany for compliance and confirmation. Important Note: To expedite the process, send your documents to ZAB (Zentralstelle Für Ausländisches Bildungswesen or Central Office for Foreign Education) together with your job contract. Typically, this will take about 2 weeks for approval, whereas sending them separately could take up to 3 months. For more details, visit ZAB’s website.
• Visa Application Preparation: Consult the website of the VISA METRIC Office (VISA METRIC) and the German Embassy in Tehran to download the checklist of required documents for a skilled work visa application for you and your family members.
• Visa Application Process: Proceed to the VISA METRIC Office with all the aforementioned documents and your passport to begin the visa application and interview process. As an IT skilled worker, you are not required to schedule appointments for the visa process.
• Submission of Documents to Employer for Labor Office Pre-confirmation: Send all your approved documents by ZAB to your employer (PDF received from ZAB is enough). Your employer needs them to send to the LABOR OFFICE for getting a pre-confirmation letter which is very important.

Following these steps meticulously will ensure a smoother transition and faster processing of your employment and visa applications.

University Admissions and Academic Recognition:

In Germany, universities are tasked with recognizing degrees and academic credits for university admissions and further studies. The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) within the Standing Conference of German Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) offers country-specific guidelines for evaluating foreign higher education qualifications. These guidelines are accessible in the ZAB database under the "Zeugnisbewertungen" (assessment of qualifications) section. You can find the ZAB database here: https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html

Professional Qualification Recognition:

For recognition of foreign degrees for professional purposes, the relevant authorities are the certification bodies (Anerkennungsstellen) of the German state where you reside or plan to reside. The Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act, effective from April 1, 2012, facilitates this process. This act expands the rights of applicants to have their qualifications assessed for approximately 350 non-regulated professions, ensuring a clear and consistent process. More details are available on the "Recognition in Germany" page of the Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung, also listed in the ZAB database under "Dokumente" (documents) and "Zuständige Stellen in Deutschland" (responsible authorities in Germany). For more information, visit the Federal Ministry of Education and Research website.

Assessment of Qualifications:

Since January 4, 2010, the ZAB has offered a qualification assessment service to private applicants. This service, which incurs a fee, is based on the Lisbon Convention and provides a certificate detailing the potential uses and contents of the qualifications assessed. For details about the assessment process and to access the application form, please visit the KMK website.

For comprehensive information on the recognition of school and university diplomas in academic and professional fields, please visit the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) of the KMK through the links provided above.

The timeline from signing up on our website to commencing work in Germany can vary significantly due to multiple steps and procedures involved. Typically, the process takes between 3 to 5 months, although this can fluctuate based on numerous factors such as your personal circumstances, the recruitment process, job offers, and visa processing times. It is challenging to pinpoint an exact duration as each case is unique.

Yes, if you are an Iranian national planning to work in Germany, you will require a skilled worker visa before entering the country. This visa is necessary for employment and cannot be substituted by a Schengen (tourist) visa. The type of visa you need depends on various factors, including your qualifications and the nature of your job.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following resources:

• Visa Navigator from the Federal Foreign Office
• Make it in Germany, the Federal Government's portal
• Federal Foreign Office
• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)

Yes, German visa regulations for skilled workers permit you to apply for family visas for your spouse and children concurrently with your own application. This allows you to travel to Germany together.

Yes, health insurance is mandatory for employment in Germany, irrespective of your circumstances. Germany enforces strict regulations to ensure all residents are covered by health insurance, boasting one of the world's top healthcare systems. This requirement applies universally, not only to foreign workers but also to anyone planning to stay in Germany for any length of time.

Foreign workers are automatically eligible for public health insurance as stipulated by German law. If your gross salary exceeds €69,300 annually (as of 2024), you may also qualify for private health insurance. For more detailed information, please visit this link: Health Insurance for Foreign Employees in Germany .