Reviewed on March 3, 2026
Apply for a residence permit for job-seeking after a stay in Germany
After studies, vocational training or research in Germany, you can take time for your job search.
At a glance
How can you look for a job after your training or research in Germany?
Have you studied in Germany, completed vocational training or done research? Then afterwards you can apply for a residence permit for job-seeking. The authority must grant it to you if you meet all the requirements.
The residence permit is normally valid for 18 months. During this time you may take up any kind of work. You may both work as an employee and be self-employed. An extension for further job-seeking is not possible. After that, you can only apply for a residence title for another purpose.
This residence permit is available in specific cases. You have completed studies with a residence permit under § 16b or § 16c AufenthG. Or you have completed a research activity under § 18d or § 18f AufenthG. Or you have completed qualified vocational training under § 16a AufenthG. Or your foreign vocational qualification has been recognised under § 16d AufenthG. Or you have completed an assistant or helper training programme in the health and care sector.
For the application, you need a few things. You must have your main residence in Berlin. A secondary residence is not enough. Your livelihood must be secured. You also need a German health insurance. A foreign health insurance is not enough. There must be no indications of a threat to public safety. Even fines can prevent the permit from being granted. If a criminal investigation is ongoing against you, the authority is not allowed to process your application.
Note: Does your spouse or your child live with you in Berlin and also need a residence permit? Enter these family members directly in the online application. Don''t submit a separate application for them. The State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) will then contact you about their residence permits.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You have successfully completed training, the recognition of a foreign vocational qualification, or a research activity in Germany and now want to look for a job.
- You have your main residence in Berlin. A secondary residence is not enough.
Additional requirements
- You need a valid residence permit, a secured livelihood and health insurance in Germany – either statutory or in a comparable private insurance. A foreign health insurance is generally not enough.
- You may not pose a threat to public safety, public order or the free democratic basic order. Even fines can prevent the permit from being granted. During an ongoing criminal investigation, your application may not be processed. You must not be involved in politically or religiously motivated violence and must not publicly call for it or threaten it.
- You need a current email address since the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) will contact you that way. Check your spam folder regularly as well. To submit the application online, you must consent to the electronic payment process – you can pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or PayPal.
How to apply
Check whether you meet the requirements: Have you studied, done research or completed training in Germany? Is your main residence in Berlin? Is your livelihood secured and do you have a German health insurance?
Collect all required documents: copy of your current residence permit, colour copies of the data pages of your passport, proof of your residence, proof of the size and cost of your living space, proof of secured livelihood and proof of your health insurance — and, depending on your situation: graduation certificate, training certificate, recognition decision, or documents on the completed research activity
Submit your application exclusively online to the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) — consent to the electronic payment process and pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or PayPal
Save the PDF you receive after applying and, if possible, print it out — it certifies the continued validity of your current residence permit beyond the previous expiry date
Wait for the response from the Landesamt für Einwanderung by email — check your spam folder regularly as well; if you have family members, enter them directly in the online application and don''t submit a separate application for them
Done! The authority must grant you the residence permit for job-seeking for 18 months if you meet all the requirements — during this time you may take up any kind of work, including self-employment
Issuance of the residence permit as a sticker
- Issuance of the residence permit as an electronic residence title (eAT)100,00 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to age 2427,60 EUR
- Turkish nationals aged 24 and over46,00 EUR
- Creation of a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal (additional)6,00 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 a residence permit for job-seeking after a stay 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.