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Job search following a stay in Germany

As a national from a non-EU and non-EEA country, you can obtain a residence permit for up to 18 months to look for a job if you previously held a residence permit for training, study, research or recognition of a foreign professional qualification. The job you are seeking must be a qualified job.

Related forms and processes

Prerequisite

The requirements for obtaining a residence permit are:

  • You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
    For the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement identity document.
  • Your livelihood is secured.
    Your livelihood is considered secure if you have income in the amount of
    • the basic social assistance rate and
    • the costs of accommodation and heating and
    • any health insurance contributions.
  • There are no grounds for deportation against you.
  • Your stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • You are not staying in Germany on the basis of a residence permit for any other purpose.

Responsible department

  • for the issue of a national visa before entering the federal territory: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
  • for the issue of a residence permit after entry: the foreigners authority
  • The foreigners authority is
    • if you live in an urban district or a large district town: the municipal administration
    • if you live in a district town or municipality: the district administration office

Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of German missions abroad on its website.

Procedure

You must apply for the residence permit in writing at the Foreigners' Registration Office before your previous residence permit expires and you have completed your training, studies, research activities or the recognition of your foreign professional qualification in Germany.

The period of validity of the residence permit for job-seeking purposes depends on your professional qualification and relevant previous stays in Germany:

  • after completing your studies in Germany: up to 18 months
  • after completion of your research activities in Germany: up to 18 months
  • after completing a qualified vocational training programme in Germany: up to 18 months
  • after completion of the assessment of the equivalence of the professional qualification or the granting of a licence to practise: up to 18 months
  • after completion of assistant or helper training in a state-recognised or comparably regulated training occupation in a profession in the health and care sector: up to 12 months, with a one-time extension option of up to 6 months

Deadlines

none

Required documents

  • Proof of fulfilment of passport and visa requirements
  • Proof of secure means of subsistence
  • Proof that there is no interest in deporting you
  • Proof that you do not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Proof of professional qualification or university degree or
  • Proof of completion of research activities or
  • Proof of successful completion of aassistant or helper training programme in a profession in the health and care sector

Costs

EUR 100.00

Detailed information

The residence title is the size of a credit card and it incorporates additional electronic functions. For more detailed information, see "Electronic residence title (eAT) - application".

Miscellaneous

none

Appeal

  • Objection
  • Action before the administrative court

Legal basis

Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG):

  • § 5 Allgemeine Erteilungsvoraussetzungen
  • § 7 Aufenthaltserlaubnis
  • § 20 Arbeitsplatzsuche im Anschluss an Aufenthalte im Bundesgebiet

Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV):

  • § 45Gebühr

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 01.10.2024