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When a talent’s B.Sc. degree title does not exactly match the Anabin entry, HR must clarify the program details or request ZAB recognition to ensure eligibility for the EU Blue Card. Early alignment saves weeks in the visa process.
Evaluating Degree Recogniion for EU BLue Card
The Question
The Answer
If the Anabin listing differs from the degree title or refers to another university, ZAB recognition is usually required. HR teams should confirm whether Electro-Optic Engineering was part of the employee’s study program. If not, initiating the ZAB evaluation is recommended.
For EU Blue Card applications, a ZAB assessment can be submitted under the Blue Card category to shorten processing time (about 2–3 weeks). While the KMK receives the work contract, it rarely verifies degree–job relevance closely, so submitting under the EU Blue Card category poses no risk and may expedite results.
Bachelor of Science ( Physics) Degree Recognition for EU Blue Card
Context & Background – The Challenge
An HR manager faces uncertainty when a talent’s degree in Physics is listed in Anabin as “Physics / Electro-Optic Engineering.” Since the database entry differs by field and possibly by awarding institution, it’s unclear whether the degree is accepted automatically or requires additional recognition.
Jobbatical’s Approach / Applicable Regulation
Under German regulations, foreign degrees must match Anabin entries for EU Blue Card eligibility. If they do not, HR should advise the talent to obtain a ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education) recognition. ZAB verification under the EU Blue Card category can shorten processing to 2–3 weeks compared to up to three months through standard evaluation.
The Outcome
In this case, the HR team evaluated the degree content with the employee. Since Electro-Optic Engineering was not part of the curriculum, they submitted the degree for ZAB recognition under the EU Blue Card route. The degree was successfully recognized, allowing the visa process to proceed smoothly. Even if the job role does not fully align with the degree, there is generally no penalty in submitting the ZAB request as EU Blue Card to speed up processing.
Employer or Talent Steps
- Verify if the degree title and awarding university exactly match the Anabin entry.
- If not, request ZAB recognition under the EU Blue Card category.
- Provide the employee’s work contract and credentials to KMK/ZAB.
- Monitor processing times (2–3 weeks for Blue Card category).
Key Learnings
- Degree mismatches in Anabin require ZAB evaluation.
- Applying under the EU Blue Card category can significantly reduce processing time.
- Mismatched titles do not pose risks if documentation is complete.
- HR teams should confirm the study program’s focus early.
- Early checks prevent visa delays.
This covers the following use cases:
- How can HR verify if a foreign Physics degree listed differently in Anabin is acceptable for the EU Blue Card?
- What should employers do if an employee’s degree title differs from the Anabin database entry?
- When is ZAB recognition required for foreign degrees during visa applications in Germany?
- Can a candidate apply for ZAB under the EU Blue Card category even if their degree does not fully match their job role?
- How long does ZAB recognition take for EU Blue Card applicants compared to standard processing?
- Does a mismatch between study program titles in Anabin automatically mean the degree is not recognized?
- How can HR teams guide employees when their foreign degree is partially aligned with Anabin listings?
- What impact does the degree title discrepancy have on German visa processing and eligibility?
- Can submitting ZAB applications under the EU Blue Card category speed up recognition times?
- How does the KMK evaluate degree-job alignment when reviewing recognition requests?
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