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Here you will find information on the following question:

What requirements do I have to meet to be able to look for a job in Germany?

Please do not forget that you always have to meet the general requirements for your stay in Germany. You can find information about this here.

Prerequisites for finding a job for skilled workers in Germany (§ 20 AufenthG)

Table of contents:

Purpose of the stay
Requirements
Specifics
Legal background

1. Purpose of Stay

The purpose of a residence permit for skilled workers to look for a job is to give foreign skilled workers with vocational training or academic training the opportunity to stay in Germany in order to look for a job here and, if necessary, to take up a trial job of up to 10 hours per week.

The period of time for which the residence permit for finding a job for skilled workers is granted depends on the type and origin of the qualification. In the case of foreign qualifications, it is usually a maximum of 6 months. If you have qualifications obtained in Germany or have been found to be equivalent, the residence permit may be issued for a longer period of time.

In order to receive a residence permit to look for a job, skilled workers usually have to prove that they have vocational training with the necessary German language skills or an academic education and that they are financially secure.

With the residence permit to look for a job, skilled workers can stay legally in Germany without having to apply for a visa. If you have found a job that matches your vocational training or academic education, you can have the job search title converted into a residence permit for skilled work in Germany. If you don't find a suitable job, you have to leave the country again.

2. Requirements

For skilled workers with vocational training
Vocational training recognized in Germany that qualifies you for the job
Language skills that correspond to the desired activity, at least level B1 (GER)
Secure livelihood, proven, for example, by a blocked account or a declaration of commitment

For skilled workers with academic training
Academic training recognized in Germany that qualifies you to work
Secure livelihood, proven, for example, by a blocked account or a declaration of commitment

Passport
Proof of education
Proof of language skills

3. Specifics

The residence permit is generally granted for up to 6 months.

If the academic training was completed as part of a stay in Germany according to § 16b or § 16c AufenthG, then the residence permit is issued for up to 18 months.

If the specialist has completed research work as part of a stay in Germany in accordance with Section 18d or Section 18f, the residence permit will be issued for up to 9 months.

If the qualified vocational training was completed as part of a stay in Germany according to § 16a AufenthG, the residence permit can be issued for up to 12 months.

If the equivalence of the vocational training acquired abroad or the granting of a professional practice permit in Germany within the framework of a stay in accordance with § 16d AufenthG has been determined, then the residence permit can be granted for up to 12 months.

The residence permit for skilled workers to look for a job does not entitle them to work beyond a trial job and does not entitle them to work outside the area covered by their professional or academic training. The residence permit cannot be extended beyond the stated maximum limits.

Special feature for skilled workers who are already in Germany: Here, a residence permit to look for a job can only be issued if the skilled worker was in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment or a residence permit in accordance with Section 16e of the Residence Act immediately before the granting of the permit.

4. Legal Background

According to Section 20, Paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of the Residence Act, the most important prerequisites for the granting of a residence permit to look for a job for skilled workers are: (a) appropriate professional or academic training; (b) the necessary language skills; (c) a secure livelihood. According to Section 20, Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act, the residence permit can be granted for a period longer than 6 months in certain cases.