Unskilled employment

If you have not completed qualified vocational training or if your professional training acquired abroad is not recognised in Germany and you would like to pursue employment here, important information about your stay is included on this page.

Please bring the following with you…

If you would like to apply for or extend a residence permit for the purpose of unskilled employment, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):

• Your valid passport
• A current passport photo
• A completed application form
• Employment contract
• Tenancy agreement
• Proof of health insurance
• Fee: up to € 100.00

Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.

Please note: An appointment is required for the granting and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.

Period of validity of the residence permit

The residence permit granted for the purpose of unskilled employment usually expires on the termination date of your fixed-term employment contract. Should the approval for employment by the Federal Employment Agency be valid for a shorter period of time, the duration of your residence permit will be based on the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

If you have a permanent employment contract, the residence permit can be issued or extended for a maximum of two years.

Paid employment

The residence permit entitles you to pursue the unskilled employment for which you applied for said residence permit.

Permission must be obtained from the immigration authority before changing employer. Please also note that the change of employer must be checked. Therefore, please inform us in good time if you wish to change your employer (at least three weeks before the planned change).

Settling down

If you are staying in Germany as an unskilled employee, you can apply for a settlement permit (permanent residence permit) after five years. You can find further information here.