Apply for Residence Permit for Job Seeking After Residence in Germany
After completing your qualification in Germany, you may search for employment or self-employment for up to 18 months.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit for job seeking?
You have successfully completed a degree programme, vocational training, a recognition procedure, or a research activity in Germany. Then you have a statutory right to a residence permit for job seeking. The authority must grant it to you.
With this permit, you may search for employment or self-employment in Germany. During the search, you may take up any gainful activity.
The residence permit is generally valid for 18 months. An extension beyond 18 months is excluded.
Note: If you have a spouse or a child, include them in your application. They do not need to submit a separate application.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You have successfully completed in Germany a degree programme (under Section 16b or 16c AufenthG), a qualified vocational training (under Section 16a AufenthG), a recognition procedure (under Section 16d AufenthG), a research activity (under Section 18d or 18f AufenthG), or an assistant/auxiliary training in the healthcare and nursing sector
Additional requirements
- You need a valid residence permit, a secured livelihood, and sufficient health insurance.
- You must have your primary residence in Berlin. There must be no indications of a threat to public safety or order.
How to apply
Submit the online application for a temporary residence title for employment and have your documents ready in PDF format
Pay the processing fee before submitting the application by credit card or PayPal
Upload your qualification certificate, passport, registration certificate, and all other documents
Wait for the review by the LEA. If needed, the authority will request further documents
Attend your appointment at the authority and bring all documents listed in the invitation letter
Done! The authority must grant you the residence permit. It is valid for up to 18 months.
Issuance as sticker
- Issuance as electronic residence title100,00 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to 24 years22,80 EUR
- Turkish nationals from 24 years37,00 EUR
- Digital passport photo at self-service terminal6,00 EUR
Good to know
With this residence permit, you may take on any form of work. This also applies to self-employment. Your title must contain the entry "employment permitted".
Soweit die AE zur Suche eines Arbeitsplatzes erteilt wird, ist jede Form der Erwerbstätigkeit – auch die selbstständige Tätigkeit – zu gestatten. Der Titel ist daher zwingend mit dem Eintrag „Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt" zu versehen.
VAB A.20, S. 239-241
Every new university degree triggers a new 18-month period. The period applies in full each time. You therefore receive the full 18 months again.
Jeder neue Abschluss löst erneut die Rechtsfolge des Absatzes 1 Nr. 1 aus, d.h. die Frist von 18 Monaten gilt jedes Mal in vollem Umfang.
VAB A.20, S. 239-241
Due to the time limitation, you may use public funds. These count as securing your livelihood. You thereby meet the requirement.
Auf Grund des zeitlich befristeten Charakters der Titel zur Arbeitsplatzsuche dienen öffentliche Mittel im Sinne des § 2 Abs. 3 S. 2 Nr. 6 ebenfalls der Lebensunterhaltssicherung
VAB A.20, S. 239-241
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Apply for Residence Permit for Job Seeking After Residence in Germany
If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment. A residence permit as a sticker can be issued on site at the appointment. If issued as an electronic residence title (eAT), it takes 4 to 6 weeks until it can be collected.