Visa for job search
Many companies in Germany are looking for qualified workers. If you have a relevant professional qualification, this may also be an opportunity for you to work and live in Germany. However, it is often not easy to find a job in Germany from abroad. That is why there is a visa or residence permit for job-seeking according to §20 of the Residence Act. This allows you to enter Germany legally and then look for a suitable job locally.
Please note:On July 7, 2023, a new law was passed regarding the immigration of skilled workers to Germany. It contains numerous changes and innovations as well as simplifications to make Germany more attractive for skilled workers. It is not yet clear exactly when the various changes and innovations will be introduced. When the time comes, we will publish updates on our website. We recommend that you visit our website regularly to stay well informed.
If you have any further questions, you can also contact our community platform "Together in Germany", our community managers will be happy to answer your questions!
What do I need to know?
What can I get a visa / residence permit for to look for work?
You can apply for a visa / residence permit for Germany if you are a skilled worker looking for a qualified job in Germany. Skilled workers are persons with a qualified vocational training recognized in Germany or a university degree recognized in Germany. A qualified job is a job for which qualified vocational training or a degree is required. You can find out more about this in our chapters"Dual training" and"School-based training".
Where do I apply for a visa?
If you need a visa to enter Germany, you must first apply for a visa at the German embassy/consulate in your home country or a neighboring country.
Please note that it may take several months to process your visa application.
If you do not need a visa to enter Germany, after entering the country you should report to the immigration office in your new place of residence and apply for a residence permit for the purpose of seeking work.
Whether you need a visa depends on your country of origin. You can find a list of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Germany at auswaertiges-amt.de.
What documents do I need for the visa / residence permit?
In our chapter"National visa" you will find a list of all the documents that all third-country nationals need for a national visa.
You will also need the following documents for a visa to look for work:
- Proof that you have completed vocational training recognized in Germany or a course of study recognized in Germany.
- Proof of sufficient German language skills for the desired job. The level you need depends on the nature of your work.
- Proof that you will be able to support yourself for the entire duration of your job search. If you do not have enough money yourself, a third person can submit a so-called declaration of commitment on your behalf. You can find out more about this in our chapter"Declaration of commitment for a national visa".
What happens after entry?
After entering Germany, you must report to the immigration office at your new place of residence within three months and apply for a residence permit there. To do this, you must submit the above-mentioned documents and, as a rule, a police registration and a tenancy agreement. The authorities will check your papers and then decide whether you will be granted a residence permit.
You may stay in Germany for up to six months. During this time, you can look for a suitable job. During your job search, you are allowed to work a maximum of 10 hours per week on a trial basis with potential employers. As soon as you have found a suitable job, you must apply for a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment. You can do this at your local immigration office. You may only work with this residence permit. You can find out more about this in our chapter"Visa as a skilled worker".
What happens if I can't find a job?
If you are unable to find a suitable job within the six months, you will have to leave the country again. After six months in your home country, you can then reapply for a job-seeking visa at the German embassy.
Important
You can find out more about finding a job in our chapter"Job search and application".
Applicants with professional qualifications seeking employment opportunities in Germany can apply for a visa under §20 of the Residence Act, also known as a visa for job-seekers. Even after entering Germany with this visa, jobseekers must report to the immigration office and provide necessary documents to secure a residence permit, allowing them to continue their job search within Germany.
Source: handbookgermany.de
