Procedure descriptions
Looking for work following a stay in Germany
As a national of a non-EU and non-EEA country, you may be granted a residence permit for up to 18 months to look for work, provided you previously held a residence permit for training, study, research or the recognition of a foreign professional qualification. The job you are seeking must be a skilled position.
Responsible authority
- for the issue of a national visa prior to entry into Germany: the German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
- For the issue of a residence permit after entry: the Foreigners’ Registration Office
- The Foreigners’ Registration Office is
- if you live in an urban district or a district town: the city council
- if you live in a town or municipality within a district: the district administration
Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of the Federal Republic of Germany’s diplomatic missions abroad on its website.
Details
Prerequisite
The requirements for being granted a residence permit are:
- You must comply with passport and visa requirements.
For the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you hold a substitute identity document. - You have sufficient means to support yourself.
Your means of support are considered secure if you have an income amounting to- the basic social security rate and
- the costs of accommodation and heating, as well as
- any health insurance contributions.
- There are no grounds for your deportation.
- Your presence does not endanger or adversely affect the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You are not residing in Germany for any other purpose on the basis of a residence permit.
Procedure
You must apply for the residence permit in writing to the Foreigners’ Registration Office before your current residence permit expires and you have completed your training, studies, research work or the recognition of your foreign professional qualification in Germany.
The period of validity of the residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment depends on your professional qualifications and any previous relevant stays in Germany:
- after completing your studies in Germany: up to 18 months
- after completing your research work in Germany: up to 18 months
- upon completion of a recognised vocational training programme in Germany: up to 18 months
- upon completion of the assessment of the equivalence of your professional qualification or the granting of a licence to practise your profession: up to 18 months
- upon completion of training as an assistant or support staff in a state-recognised or comparably regulated vocational training programme in a profession within the health and care sector: up to 12 months, with a one-off possibility of extension by up to 6 months
An extension of the residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment beyond these periods is not permitted.
Deadlines
none
Required documents
- Proof of compliance with passport and visa requirements
- Proof of sufficient means of support
- Proof that there are no grounds for your deportation
- Proof that you do not endanger or undermine the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Proof of professional qualifications or a university degree, or
- Proof of completion of research work or
- Proof of successful completion of an ‘ ’ assistant or support role training programme in a profession within the health and care sector
Costs
100.00 EUR
Miscellaneous
none
Detailed information
The residence title is the size of a credit card and it incorporates additional electronic functions. For more detailed information, see "Electronic residence title (eAT) - application".
Legal basis
Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG):
- § 5 Allgemeine Erteilungsvoraussetzungen
- § 7 Aufenthaltserlaubnis
- § 20 Arbeitsplatzsuche im Anschluss an Aufenthalte im Bundesgebiet
Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV):
- § 45 Gebühr
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 14.08.2026