Residence permit - job search for skilled workers
This residence permit is for people who are looking for work in Germany that corresponds to their qualifications.
Description
With a visa or 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 training/previous stay in Germany.
Visa procedure
Before entering Germany, you must apply for a visa at the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America can also enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit before starting their stay.
EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa, residence permit or work permit.
After entering the country
You must first register your place of residence at the Citizens' Registration Office.
Application for a residence permit
Before your visa expires, you must apply for a residence permit. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must submit the application within 90 days of entering the country. To apply, please send us your application form and the required documents online or by post. After we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment from us.
Section 20 AufenthG will be amended by law on 1 June 2024.
From 1 June 2024, the new job search will be based on Section 20 AufenthG (job search following stays in Germany) or Section 20a AufenthG ( opportunity card).
Prerequisites
Special requirements Qualification, previous stay, duration of issue and work permit:
Skilled worker with vocational training:
- Proof of German language skills required for the intended occupation
- Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment or according to § 16e (study-related internship EU) AufenthG (if foreigner is already in Germany)
- Training certificate/training certificate
In the case of foreign vocational training: Certificate or certificate of qualified vocational training and recognition of vocational training - Maximum issuing period 6 months
- The residence permit authorises the holder to carry out trial employment for a maximum of 10 hours per week, which the skilled worker is qualified to do. Self-employment is not permitted.
skilled worker with an academic qualification
- Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment or according to § 16e (study-related internship EU) AufenthG (if foreigner is already in Germany)
- University degree certificate
For foreign certificates: certified German or English translation and for recognition an extract from anabin(H+ for university and degree) or certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) - For regulated professions: Confirmation of a licence to practise the profession
- Maximum issuing period 6 months
- The residence permit authorises the holder to carry out trial employment for a maximum of 10 hours per week, which the skilled worker is qualified to do. Self-employment is not permitted.
Successful completion of studies in Germany
- Residence permit according to § 16b or § 16c AufenthG
- Certificate, degree certificate or certificate from your university confirming the successful completion of your studies
- Maximum duration of 18 months
- The residence permit authorises gainful employment.
Completion of research activities in Germany:
- Residence permit according to § 18d or § 18f AufenthG
- Documents on the completed research activity
- Maximum duration of 12 months
- The residence permit authorises gainful employment.
Qualified vocational training in Germany:
- Residence permit according to § 16a AufenthG
- German training certificate
- Maximum duration 12 months
- The residence permit authorises gainful employment.
Determination of the equivalence of the professional qualification or the granting of a licence to practise in Germany:
- Notification of successful recognition from the competent authority
- For regulated professions: additional authorisation to practise the profession
- Maximum duration of 12 months
- The residence permit authorises gainful employment.
Assistant or helper training in a state-recognised or comparably regulated training occupation in a health and care sector in Germany:
- Training certificate/training certificate for nursing assistant in the health and care sector
- Maximum duration of 12 months
- The residence permit authorises gainful employment.
Required documents
In addition to the special requirements, the following documents are required:
- registration of main residence in Munich
- Fully completed application form
- Valid passport or passport substitute
- A currentbiometric passport photo(photo booths can also be found at the Foreigners' Registration Office)
- Valid visa for entry (if required)/ residence permit
- Proof of health insurance(insurance card of your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy of a private health insurance company)
- Proof of secure means of subsistence:
For example, bank statements, 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)
Legal basis
§ Section 20 Residence Act
Questions & Answers
It is not possible to extend a residence permit to look for a job beyond the maximum period if no suitable gainful employment could be found within the period of validity.
A renewed issue of a residence permit to look for a job as a skilled worker with vocational training/skilled worker with academic training is only possible after leaving the country. The stay abroad must be at least as long as the previous stay to look for a job in Germany (maximum 6 months).
A regulated profession is a professional activity for which access to or exercise of the profession is bound by legal and administrative regulations to the possession of certain professional qualifications; one type of exercise is in particular the use of a professional title.
Example: a doctor needs to be recognised in order to practise her profession in Germany. An engineer may also work as an engineer without being recognised. However, he may not call himself an engineer. They are only authorised to use the professional title once they have been recognised.
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. We will be happy to inform you about the advantages and disadvantages of a premature change of purpose of residence on a case-by-case basis.
Qualified vocational training is 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.
A list of recognised training occupations can be found on the website of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training.
Your qualification must be recognised in Germany or be comparable to a German university degree. If you would like to work in a regulated profession, for example in a healthcare profession, you will need a licence to practise.
The professional licence includes the legal authorisation to practise the profession and the granting of permission to use the professional title. Third-country nationals who wish to work in regulated professions must have a professional licence before a residence permit for the purpose of employment can be issued. Your qualification must be recognised before a permit to practise a profession can be issued. You can find more information online.
Equivalence can be determined through the recognition procedure. You can find more information online.
You can also find out where you can have your qualification recognised on the Recognition in Germany page.
Employment is non-self-employed work, especially in an employment relationship. Gainful employment includes employment as well as self-employment and freelance work.
Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung II Bürgerangelegenheiten
Ausländerangelegenheiten
Service-Center für internationale Fachkräfte
Phone
Postal address
Landeshauptstadt München
Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung II Bürgerangelegenheiten
Ausländerangelegenheiten
Service-Center für internationale Fachkräfte
Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München
Fax: +49 89 233-44284
Address
Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München
Only with appointment