Working in Münster?

The opportunities available in Münster ensure that you can take up paid employment in many different areas. However, in order to find a suitable job, it may be necessary to conduct job interviews and to seek direct contact with possible employers.

If you are not a German citizen or a citizen of an EU member state, your stay in Germany is governed by the German Residence Act (AufenthG).

The following pages thus contain a summary of the requirements stipulated by the German Residence Act in connection with the granting and extension of a residence permit for the purposes of seeking employment.

If you have already completed your studies in Germany, you can find more information here.

If you have completed qualified vocational training in Germany, you can find more information on seeking subsequent employment here.

If you are currently in Germany for research purposes and your research activity is coming to an end, you can find further information on seeking subsequent employment here.

If you are staying in Germany for the recognition of your professional qualification completed abroad, you can find further information on seeking subsequent employment here.

If you are staying in Germany for the purpose of paid employment and now wish to stay to seek employment due to the termination of your employment relationship, you will find important information on your stay below.

If you have a professional qualification, are currently living in your home country and would like to travel to Germany in order to seek employment, please obtain information from the German diplomatic mission abroad after a visa has been issued.

Please bring the following with you…

If you wish to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of seeking 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
• Proof that you are able to cover your living expenses: Blocked account or letter of intent according to Section 68 AufenthG (German Residence Act)
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of qualified vocational training (e.g. certificate of completion)
• Sufficient knowledge of the German language (at least B1 level)
• 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

A residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment is usually granted for a period of six months. If you do not find a job appropriate to your professional qualification within the period allocated to you to seek employment, you must generally leave the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Re-entry is possible if, after leaving the country, you have remained abroad for at least as long as you previously stayed in Germany to look for a job.

Change in purpose of stay

If you have found a suitable job, you can change your purpose of stay to that of a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker.

Furthermore, changing the purpose of stay is only possible if there is a legal entitlement (for example, in the case of family reunification).

Paid employment

This residence permit allows you to perform probationary employment (corresponding to your professional qualification) for up to ten hours per week.

No paid employment is permitted beyond this.