Following graduation, students who complete their studies in Germany are eligible to work in the country. This period of time is in addition to the time allotted for study in your German Study Visa. Students can apply for an extended 18-month Job Seeking Visa, also known as a post-study work visa in Germany, to find work related to their education. During these 18 months, the candidates are free to work as much or as little as they want and to pursue any job they want to support themselves.

What is a Post Study Work Permit in Germany?

A candidate who wants to work in Germany while studying or after completion of their studies can opt for a post study work permit. He or she has to apply for a visa at the Foreigner’s Registration Office. Then they have to apply for a residence permit for work after completion of their studies. Many job opportunities are available to students after the completion of their degree in various roles. It will be wonderful if the candidate has relevant work experience as it enhances one's CV and chances of getting a work permit increase.

Types of Work Permits

  1. Working during studies:

International students can work while studying at a German University. They can freelance or are employed by any company. If a student takes the role of student assistant or research assistant at the university then the 20 hours limit doesn't matter. They can earn up to EUR 450 per month.

  1. Working after studies:

International students who are willing to take up a job after graduation must apply for a normal residence permit extension. The extension can be of 18 months. If a job is offered then one has to apply for the EU Blue Card or German Residence Permit. If one would like to settle in Germany permanently then one has to apply for a settlement permit before completing 2 years of getting the EU card.

Popular courses in Germany:

MBA in Germany MS in Germany
MBBS in Germany MS Data Science in Germany
MS Mechanical Engineering in Germany BTech from Germany

When to Apply for a Post-Study Work Permit in Germany?

The German Student Visa which is offered to students when they are accepted to any German university expires when they complete their degree. An 18-month work permit starts once the candidate receives their final university results.

List of Documents Required for Post Study Work Permit in Germany

While applying for a Post study work permit in Germany one must have the following documents -

  • University Degree - One must have a valid university degree from a German university. It is important as it says that one has completed their education in Germany.
  • Valid Passport - The candidate must have a valid passport in order to apply for the post-study work permit.
  • Health Insurance - One requires to possess valid health insurance in order to be eligible for a student visa during the entire period of time in Germany.
  • Proof of Funds - One has to prove that one can afford to stay back in the country and for that she or he might show bank statements.

Time Period for Post Study Work Permit in Germany

Before completion of studies in Germany, one can apply for an extended work permit. It is usually for a duration of 18 months. Students should apply for jobs relevant to their skill set and the subject they are graduating in. A person with a finance degree can work almost in any job. However, that is not the same in the case of an arts graduate. The work permit doesn't include a student visa and is completely a separate entity.

Checkout: Jobs after studying in Germany

Temporary Resident in Germany After Getting Job

After securing a job using the work permit, one is entitled to get a temporary residence permit for employment purposes. One can not start working without first obtaining this permit. In order to get this permit, one has to get employment approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

The duration of the temporary Resident permit depends on the contract of your employment. Suppose your employment is of 4 years then the temporary resident permit will also be of that same duration. One can add on as many extensions as desired if he/ she continues to be employed.

FAQs

Ques. How to get a work visa in Germany?

Ans. In order to get a work visa in Germany, one has to secure a job offer. Then they can apply for a temporary work resident permit from the Foreigner’s Registration Office. Additionally, their employment status must be approved by the Federal Employment Agency (BA). They also have to submit relevant documents at the Foreigner's Registration Office and pay a visa fee for German Employment Work. Finally attend an interview and wait for their permit.

Ques. Is IELTS required for a German work permit?

Ans. No, IELTS is not required for a German work permit. The requirement for the English language depends on the work one is applying for and is not a mandatory prerequisite. However, it will be useful if the candidate knows the German language.

Ques. What is a Post-Study Work visa for Germany?

Ans. The post-study work visa for German is a temporary work visa permit via which a candidate can work in Germany. It is applied to students who want to work in Germany after the completion of their degree. One has to apply for the permit at the Foreigner's Registration Office.

Ques. How long can I stay in Germany after graduating?

Ans. You can stay back in Germany after completion of your studies if only you have a valid job offer. After the expiration of a student visa, one has to apply for a post-study work permit in order to work in Germany. The duration of the visa depends on the working years mentioned in the contract.

Ques. Can I work in Germany with a temporary residence permit?

Ans. Yes, one can work in Germany with a temporary residence permit. One should have all the required documents in order to be eligible for this permit.

Ques. How much does a post-study work visa in Germany cost?

Ans. The post-study work visa in Germany cost around 75 EUR (90 USD).

Ques. Is getting PR in Germany easy?

Ans. There are various factors affecting your permanent residency in Germany. They are listed below -

  • Length of stay-
    • Candidates who have stayed in Germany for more than 5 years or longer can apply for permanent residency in the country. You can be working in Germany and must have a legal permit for your stay.
    • You are also eligible if you have graduated from a German University and have worked for at least 2 years with a Residence permit. EU blue card holders can also apply if they are working for 21-33 months. For self-employed individuals, they can apply after 3 years of working in the country.
  • Qualification and income-
    • If you are a skilled, valuable worker with a steady income, you can apply for a PR. It is of extra advantage if you have a particular skill set needed in the country.
  • German Language Proficiency-
    • In order to get PR in Germany, it is a must for the candidates to have Proficiency in the German language. They should be able to communicate in German. The level of the language required is B1.
  • Pension Fund Contributor-
    • One must be a contributor to the pension fund of the German government. For the general group, one must have paid into the pension fund for at least 60 months. For EU blue card holders, they must have contributed for at least 33 months and as for the graduates, it is 24 months.