How to Use the New Work and Stay Agency: 2026 Guide for Skilled Workers
Germany’s Work and Stay Agency (Work-and-Stay-Agentur, WSA) is the planned central digital platform for skilled-worker immigration. It is designed to bring visa and residence procedures, document uploads, and status tracking into one place instead of dealing with many separate authorities. The WSA is being rolled out in phases; in the meantime you still use existing routes (Make it in Germany, consulates, Ausländerbehörde). This guide explains what the WSA is, who it’s for, the 2026 timeline, and what to do now.
What the Work and Stay Agency Is
The WSA is a federal one-stop shop for skilled immigration: one digital platform for applications, documents, and status, instead of coordinating consulates, the Federal Employment Agency, and local immigration offices yourself. Planned features include:
- Single application: Visa and residence permit applications through one portal.
- “Once-only” documents: Upload diplomas, contracts, proof of housing, etc. once; relevant authorities access them via a shared system.
- Status tracking: See the status of your case online.
- Relocation support: Signposting to housing, language courses, and integration programmes.
Procedure-supporting tools (e.g. for document checks) are planned to speed up processing. The exact scope and timing depend on the rollout.
Who Can Use It
Skilled workers and trainees from outside the EU (with vocational or academic qualifications) — e.g. IT, healthcare, engineering. Employers in Germany can use the WSA to start and support procedures for future employees. Students who want to move from study to work can use it for the transition to a work-based residence title. The WSA is intended to work alongside existing systems during the transition.
Timeline (2026 and Beyond)
Rollout is phased:
- By 1 March 2026: Federal government to publish a detailed time and cost plan for WSA implementation.
- During 2026: Tenders for central IT; platform starts initial operation.
- Late 2026: Pilot phase expected; gradual expansion into following years.
- By 2029: Full operation planned (including digital recognition procedures and end-to-end residence title handling).
Until the WSA is fully in place, use the current visa and residence procedures (see “What to do now” below).
Related 2026 Rules
- EU Blue Card: Minimum salary €50,700 per year (or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations such as IT, STEM, healthcare). See EU Blue Card 2026.
- Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Points-based job-search permit (e.g. A1 German or B2 English; six points required). Details on Make it in Germany.
- Employer duty (from 1 Jan 2026): Employers must inform third-country nationals they recruit about their right to free labour and social law advice (e.g. “Faire Integration” service).
What to Do Now (While the WSA Is Rolling Out)
- Use current official sources: Make it in Germany for visa types, requirements, and procedures; Federal Foreign Office visa service and Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de) for online national visa applications.
- Prepare documents in PDF/A: So they’re ready for digital upload when the WSA (or other portals) require them.
- Check eligibility: Confirm your qualifications match skilled immigration rules (vocational or academic).
- Follow WSA updates: Check workandstayagentur.de and government announcements for the March 2026 implementation plan and pilot start.
The WSA is intended to complement existing systems during the transition, not replace them overnight. Keep using Make it in Germany and the visa portal until the WSA is clearly available for your procedure.
Reference (Official Sources)
For the WSA and current procedures:
Last checked: February 2026.
Next Steps
Use Make it in Germany and the visa service / Consular Services Portal for your application now. Prepare documents in PDF/A and watch workandstayagentur.de and government news for the WSA rollout and March 2026 plan. For salary thresholds: EU Blue Card 2026.
