In Berlin, Germany, the Blue Card requirements says the following:
When engaging in employment
- with an annual gross income of at least EUR 52,000 (or gross income of EUR 4,333 monthly) or,
- in shortage occupations, an annual gross income of EUR 40,560 (or gross income of EUR 3,380 monthly), and when in possession of a German university or university college qualification,
no approval is required from the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
However, when
- holding a foreign university or university college qualification and
- engaging in employment in a shortage occupation,
the Federal Employment Agency must provide approval.
The first and second parts seem contradictory.
So my salary is above 52k and I'm in a shortage occupation with a foreign degree.
Going by the first part, it would seem like I don't need approval (income is above 52k - check, no approval necessary). I would expect this part to say "in non-shortage occupations" (or some variant of that), if that were true. Since there's no condition, it should apply for everyone above that income.
Going by the second part, it would seem like I do need approval (since both of those things are true).
So... which is it? Do I need approval?
If this question should be asked to some official entity instead, I'd appreciate some advice about who to ask.