After completing your studies

Once you have successfully completed your studies, you have several options. On the one hand, you can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment as a skilled worker if you have already found a job. You can find further information here.

Furthermore, you can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment if you would like to become self-employed in your field. You can find further information on this here.

Secondly, you can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment. You can find more information on this page. The residence permit is issued in order to give you time to find a job that corresponds to your degree.

Please bring the following with you…

If you wish to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment after graduation, 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 of sufficient funding (employment contract and salary statements / letter of intent in accordance with Section 68 AufenthG (German Residence Act) / blocked account)
• Your tenancy agreement
• Proof of health insurance
• Certificate of completion of studies
• 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 issue and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.

Period of validity of the residence permit

The residence permit can be issued for up to 18 months (calculated from the day of your graduation).

If you have found a job, you can also apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker before your residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment expires.

Change in purpose of stay

It is only possible to change the purpose of your stay on your residence permit in the following cases:

• In order to carry out employment as a skilled worker
• In order to pursue research activities
• In order to carry out freelance work on a self-employed basis
• In order to obtain a residence permit to which you are legally entitled (e.g. in the case of family reunification)

If you are unable to find a job appropriate to your degree within the period allocated to you to seek employment, you must generally leave the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Paid employment

The residence permit issued to you for the purpose of seeking employment after graduation permits paid employment. This means that you can take up any form of employment you wish or become self-employed.