Residence permit - Job search
The job search is for people who are already in Germany.
Course description
With a residence permit to look for a job for skilled workers, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for a job, depending on your education/your previous stay in Germany.
The extension of the residence permit for job search beyond the maximum period is excluded if no suitable work could be found within the validity period.
Work permit:
During the validity of the residence permit to look for a job, you may work part-time without restriction.
Register your place of residence in Munich:
You must first register your residence at the Citizens Office.
Application for a residence permit:
Before your residence permit expires, you must apply for a residence permit. To apply, please send us your application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. After your application has been checked, you will receive an appointment from us.
To find a job, you can apply for a residence permit directly after obtaining your qualification in Germany. Alternatively, in certain cases you can apply for an opportunity card to look for a job or for measures to recognise a foreign professional qualification
Prerequisites
- You are registered with your main residence in Munich.
- You are looking for a job.
- Your livelihood is secured for the duration of your job search.
- You have acquired one of the following qualifications during your previous stay in Germany:
- Successful completion of a degree programme or qualified vocational training
- Completion of a research activity
- Determination of the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification
- Granting of a licence to practise a profession
- Successful completion of assistant or helper training in a state-recognised or comparable regulated training occupation in the health and care sector
- You have a valid residence permit for the above qualification.
Required documents
- Fully completed application form
- Valid passport or passport replacement
- current biometric passport photo submitted digitally by a certified photo studio or drugstore. Alternatively, you can use one of the photo terminals at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Centre for a fee.
- Proof of completion of the qualification:
For example, a degree certificate, notice of assessment, a licence to practise a profession or a licence to practise medicine - Proof of health insurance(insurance card of your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy of a private health insurance company)
- Proof of secure livelihood:
For example, bank statements, submission of a declaration of commitment by a third party, scholarship certificate, employment contract (part-time job) - Proof of the current monthly costs for the flat.
In the case of rented flats, a current confirmation from the landlord or bank statements showing the amount of rent; in the case of owner-occupied flats, proof of instalment payments for loans and monthly housing benefit. - For minors: Written declaration of consent from the person authorised to take care of the person (parents)
Questions & Answers
if you have successfully completed your studies in Germany and have a residence permit for studying (§ 16b or § 16c AufenthG), then the residence permit for job search is better for you when looking for a job. This gives you the opportunity to look for a job for up to 18 months. With the opportunity card, you would only receive a residence permit for 1 year
In order to practise a regulated profession (e.g. medical or educational professions), a state licence to practise is mandatory. In the case of non-regulated professions (e.g. software development), however, proof that the foreign qualification is comparable to the respective German reference qualification is sufficient for practising the profession.
As soon as you have found a job offer for qualified employment or wish to become self-employed/freelance, you can apply for a corresponding residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment.
Qualified vocational training is defined as vocational training in a state-recognised or similarly regulated occupation for which a training period of at least two years is stipulated by federal or state law.
Employment is non-self-employed work, in particular in an employment relationship. Gainful employment includes employment as well as self-employment and freelance work.
You can also find out where you can have your qualification recognised on the Recognition in Germany page. For advice on the recognition of professional qualifications, you can contact the Service Centre for the Development of Foreign Qualifications.
Legal basis
§ Section 20 Residence Act
Studenten
Phone number
Postal address
Studenten
Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München
Address
Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München
Only with appointment