Residence permit - Job search
<p>With a visa or residence permit to look for a job for skilled workers, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for a job, depending on your training/previous stay in Germany.</p>
<p><strong>Visa procedure</strong><br>
 Before entering Germany, you must apply for a visa at the relevant <a href="https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/visa-und-aufenthalt" target="">German diplomatic mission abroad</a>. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America can also enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit before starting their stay.</p>
<p>EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa, residence permit or work permit.</p>
<p><strong>After entering the country</strong><br>
 You must first register your place of residence at the <a href="https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/wohnsitz-anmelden-oder-ummelden/1063475/n0/" target="">Citizens' Registration Office</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Application for a residence permit</strong><br>
 Before your visa expires, you must apply for a residence permit. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must submit the application within 90 days of entering the country. To apply, please send us your application form and the required documents online or by post. After we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment from us.</p>
Diploma Profession Professions Purpose Qualification Qualifications Search Skilled Starting Students Wissenschaftler Working country procedure purposes

# Residence permit - Job search

## Summary

This residence permit is for people who are looking for work in Germany that corresponds to their qualifications.
## Description

With a visa or residence permit to look for a job for skilled workers, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for a job, depending on your training/previous stay in Germany.

**Visa procedure**  

Before entering Germany, you must apply for a visa at the relevant [German diplomatic mission abroad](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/visa-und-aufenthalt). Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America can also enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit before starting their stay.

EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa, residence permit or work permit.

**After entering the country**  

You must first register your place of residence at the [Citizens' Registration Office](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/wohnsitz-anmelden-oder-ummelden/1063475/n0/).

**Application for a residence permit**  

Before your visa expires, you must apply for a residence permit. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must submit the application within 90 days of entering the country. To apply, please send us your application form and the required documents online or by post. After we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment from us.

## Responsible Department

KVR
## Required Documents

**In addition to the special requirements, the following documents are required:**

* [registration](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/wohnsitz-anmelden-oder-ummelden/1063475/n0/) of main residence in Munich
* Fully completed [application form](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/antragaufenthaltstitel.pdf)
* Valid **passport or passport substitute**
* **A current**[biometric passport photo](https://www.bundesdruckerei.de/de/produkte/produkte_dokument/dok_eAT/dok_passbild/index.html)(photo booths can also be found at the Foreigners' Registration Office)
* Valid **visa** for entry (if required)/ residence permit
* Proof of **health insurance**(insurance card of your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy of a private health insurance company)
* Proof of **secure means of subsistence**:  
  
  For example, bank statements, [declaration of commitment](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/hauptabteilung-ii-buergerangelegenheiten/1063743/) by a third party, scholarship certificate, employment contract (part-time job)
* Proof of the current **monthly costs for the flat**.  
  
  In the case of rented flats, a current confirmation from the landlord or bank statements showing the amount of rent; in the case of owner-occupied flats, proof of instalment payments for loans and monthly housing benefit.
* For minors: Written declaration of consent from the person authorised to take care of the person (parents)

## Prerequisites

**Special requirements Qualification, previous stay, duration of issue and work permit:  
  

Skilled worker with vocational training:**

* Proof of German language skills required for the intended occupation
* Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment or according to § 16e (study-related internship EU) AufenthG (if foreigner is already in Germany)
* Training certificate/training certificate  
  
  In the case of foreign vocational training: Certificate or certificate of qualified vocational training and recognition of [vocational training](https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/anerkennung-bekommen.php?mtm_campaign=grundrauschen-de&mtm_kwd=Anerkennung-Berufsaus%C3%BCbung&mtm_source=google&mtm_medium=paid-search&mtm_group=deutsch&gad_source=1)
* Maximum issuing period 6 months
* The residence permit authorises the holder to carry out trial employment for a maximum of 10 hours per week, which the skilled worker is qualified to do. Self-employment is not permitted.

**skilled worker with an academic qualification**

* Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment or according to § 16e (study-related internship EU) AufenthG (if foreigner is already in Germany)
* University degree certificate  
  
  For foreign certificates: certified German or English translation and for recognition [an](https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html) extract from [anabin](https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html)(H+ for university and degree) or [certificate evaluation](https://zab.kmk.org/de/zeugnisbewertung) from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
* For regulated professions: Confirmation of a licence to practise the profession
* Maximum issuing period 6 months
* The residence permit authorises the holder to carry out trial employment for a maximum of 10 hours per week, which the skilled worker is qualified to do. Self-employment is not permitted.

**Successful completion of studies in Germany**

* Residence permit according to § 16b or § 16c AufenthG
* Certificate, degree certificate or certificate from your university confirming the successful completion of your studies
* Maximum duration of 18 months
* The residence permit authorises gainful employment.

**Completion of research activities in Germany:**

* Residence permit according to § 18d or § 18f AufenthG
* Documents on the completed research activity
* Maximum duration of 12 months
* The residence permit authorises gainful employment.

**Qualified vocational training in Germany:**

* Residence permit according to § 16a AufenthG
* German training certificate
* Maximum duration 12 months
* The residence permit authorises gainful employment.

**Determination of the equivalence of the professional qualification or the granting of a licence to practise in Germany:**

* Notification of successful recognition from the competent authority
* For regulated professions: additional authorisation to practise the profession
* Maximum duration of 12 months
* The residence permit authorises gainful employment.

**Assistant or helper training in a state-recognised or comparably regulated training occupation in a health and care sector in Germany:**

* Training certificate/training certificate for nursing assistant in the health and care sector
* Maximum duration of 12 months
* The residence permit authorises gainful employment.

## Please Note

Section 20 AufenthG will be amended by law on 1 June 2024.

From 1 June 2024, the new job search will be based on Section 20 AufenthG (job search following stays in Germany) or Section 20a AufenthG ( [opportunity card](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/visum-aufenthalt/fachkraefteeinwanderungsgesetz?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkuqvBhAQEiwA65XxQIuGcBgaUuy92EnbTsiTWI_L-dW4LIOpTQF0e9EQXi8sRZF8OzvohBoCSroQAvD_BwE)).

## Fee Range

Adults: 100 Euro

Minors: 50 Euro

## Processing Time

10-12 weeks

## Legal Basis

§ Section 20 Residence Act

## Questions and Answers

 
### Can I obtain a job search permit again?

 

It is not possible to extend a residence permit to look for a job beyond the maximum period if no suitable gainful employment could be found within the period of validity.   


A renewed issue of a residence permit to look for a job as a skilled worker with vocational training/skilled worker with academic training is only possible after leaving the country. The stay abroad must be at least as long as the previous stay to look for a job in Germany (maximum 6 months).   


   
### What are regulated professions?

 

A regulated profession is a professional activity for which access to or exercise of the profession is bound by legal and administrative regulations to the possession of certain professional qualifications; one type of exercise is in particular the use of a professional title.   


Example: a doctor needs to be recognised in order to practise her profession in Germany. An engineer may also work as an engineer without being recognised. However, he may not call himself an engineer. They are only authorised to use the professional title once they have been recognised.   


   
### When is a change of purpose possible?

 

As soon as you have found a job offer for qualified employment or wish to become self-employed/freelance, you can apply for a corresponding residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment. We will be happy to inform you about the advantages and disadvantages of a premature change of purpose of residence on a case-by-case basis.   


   
### What is qualified vocational training?

 

Qualified vocational training is vocational training in a state-recognised or similarly regulated occupation for which a training period of at least two years is stipulated by federal or state law.   


   
### What is a state-recognised or comparably regulated training occupation?

 

A list of recognised training occupations can be found on the website of the [Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training](https://www.bibb.de/dienst/publikationen/de/19128).   


   
### When am I qualified to practise a profession as a skilled worker?

 

Your qualification must be recognised in Germany or be comparable to a German university degree. If you would like to work in a regulated profession, for example in a healthcare profession, you will need a licence to practise.   


   
### How do I obtain a licence to practise?

 

The professional licence includes the legal authorisation to practise the profession and the granting of permission to use the professional title. Third-country nationals who wish to work in regulated professions must have a professional licence before a residence permit for the purpose of employment can be issued. Your qualification must be recognised before a permit to practise a profession can be issued. You can find more information [online](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/anerkennung).   


   
### How is the equivalence of professional qualifications determined?

 

Equivalence can be determined through the recognition procedure. You can find more information [online](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/anerkennung).  


   
### Which body is responsible for recognising my professional qualification?

 

You can also find out where you can have your qualification recognised on the [Recognition in Germany](https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/anerkennung-bekommen.php?mtm_campaign=grundrauschen-de&mtm_kwd=Anerkennung-Berufsaus%C3%BCbung&mtm_source=google&mtm_medium=paid-search&mtm_group=deutsch&gad_source=1) page.   


   
### What is the difference between employment and gainful employment?

 

Employment is non-self-employed work, especially in an employment relationship. Gainful employment includes employment as well as self-employment and freelance work.   


   
## Further Links

* [Contact form](https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/abhkontakt/index)
* [General Data Protection Regulation](https://stadt.muenchen.de/infos/dsgvo-datenschutzgrundverordnung.html)
* [Declaration of commitment](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/hauptabteilung-ii-buergerangelegenheiten/1063743/)
* [Register residence](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/wohnsitz-anmelden-oder-ummelden/1063475/n0/)
* [Information on the biometric passport photo](https://www.bundesdruckerei.de/system/files/dokumente/pdf/Fotomustertafel-72dpi.pdf)
* [Application for a residence permit](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/antragaufenthaltstitel.pdf)
* [Visa for job search - Make it in Germany](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/visum-aufenthalt/arten/arbeitsplatzsuche)
* [Apply online](https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/kontaktabhaufenthaltfuerstudienzwecke/index)

## Keywords

* Diploma
* Profession
* Professions
* Purpose
* Qualification
* Qualifications
* Search
* Skilled
* Starting
* Students
* Wissenschaftler
* Working
* country
* procedure
* purposes
