So you are thinking about starting the next chapter of your life? Do you need some time to figure out if Germany is really the place for you and also weigh in your career options? Job seeker visa Germany are then words that might ring sweet to your ears.
Citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway have it easy; they can come here with just an id card, few bags and a pinch of motivation to start the adventure here.
For the rest of us, it’s not that easy however. Options are limited to find a job in Germany. Although it is possible to find a job remotely and then move to Germany, chances of success are much higher if you can meet potential employers here directly.
Enter the German job seeker visa, a permit that allows you to enter the country to find the job of your dreams.

I know that finding jobs can be tough and now on top of all the struggles, you need to deal with German bureaucracy. It’s not fun, but fear not for I am right here to talk you through all the steps necessary to get you a job seeker visa in Germany.
What is a job seeker visa for Germany?
The legal basis about the German job seeker visa can be found here under section 18c. The full name for it is “Temporary residence permit for qualified skilled workers seeking employment”.
This permit allows the holder to stay in Germany for up to 6 months to look for employment. The natural “conclusion” of this permit is then to switch to a more standard employment visa or an EU blue card, once you have found a job here.
Where to start: job seeker visa Germany requirements
You need to tick a few boxes to increase your chances to obtain the job seeker visa for Germany.
A recognized diploma or recognized qualifications
Diploma recognition
Holders of bachelor or master’s degree are eligible to apply for a job seeker visa in Germany, but is your degree recognized here? There is this handy online tool made by the German government to assess that exactly.
You can check the online portal to see if your degree is recognized here. If your degree has been rated H+, your chances increase substantially.> If you are unable to find detailed information about your diploma, you can also turn to the central office for foreign education. They will assess your degree and provide a statement that it is comparable to local German degrees in your field for a small fee.
On that note; If you have graduated from a German university, you are eligible to apply for a different kind of residence permit which allow you to find a job related to your field up to 18 months from your graduation. You can more information about that here.
Qualification recognition
Some professions in Germany are protected by a certain status (often crafting jobs), and only those with the right qualification can obtain the right license to work those jobs. For other non-regulated professions, you may still need to you have your qualifications recognized, just for the purpose of being issued a visa.
More information about how to do that here.
Experience
Although, the official guidelines don’t mention it, eligibility is also based on your experience in your particular field of study. This is because Germany wants to welcome workers with high chances of employment. These naturally increase with a bit of experience. For occupations with a big shortage of workers, experience becomes therefore a little less important.
Proof of livelihood and health insurance coverage
As for any other permit, Germany will let people in on the basis that they can support themselves during the job hunting process. So in short, you need to have enough money for that six months period (currently, at least 720€/month for that whole period), as well as appropriate health insurance.
Most job seekers use the so-called expat health insurance in Germany (or incoming insurance) for their initial visa application. It’s a policy specifically designed to get approval from German authorities.
Language skills
This should put a smile on your face. Knowing German is actually not a requirement! But it certainly helps to show efforts to learn it. Consider even taking a basic A2 or A1 class to boost your chances.
What documents should i bring?
Your job seeker visa application Germany starts with gathering all the requireddocuments. This may vary from consulate to consulate, so do check again, but in general:
- A valid passport
- A completed application form which you can find here.
- Biometric photo
- An updated CV
- University degree + statement that it is recognized in Germany
- Health insurance certificate, travel insurance is also accepted. Ask your provider for that.
- Bank statements, salary slips, or other proof of income showing that you would be able to cover your expenses during your stay here
- Proof of available accommodation in Germany if you are abroad, or an Meldebescheinigung if you are in Germany already.
- A motivation letter. This document details what your exact plan is to find a job in Germany. More info on that here.
Make sure to collect every document and make copies. You are required to bring originals, but they will keep the copies in some cases.

Booking an appointment
If you are in Berlin
Once you have gathered all the documents, make sure to make an appointment online here.
I do not recommend risking for walk-in appointment, as they only give out limited slots every day -which means you have to be at the foreigners office mad early. I’m talking 3-4 AM to be one of the first one to get there, so when the gate is open at 6 AM you could get one of the waiting numbers. After collecting the ‘number’ you have to wait until 7 where they officially open their doors to enter the building and wait for your number to be called.
Bring all the documents and copies, your biometric photo, and the €56 application fee which you can pay in cash or using EC (bank card, not credit card). Turkish citizens can apply for the visa at no cost.
If you are abroad:
Book an appointment with your local German mission. You can find your local one here.
How to find a job in Germany once you arrived
Obtaining a job seeker visa is a great opportunity but it only gives you a limited time to achieve your goal. I’ve rounded up tips & resources about finding a job in Berlin which applies to the rest of Germany as well for the most part.
It should save you some time and give you a head start on your mission.
FAQ
Can I work with a German job seeker visa?
As stated here by the immigration office, only skilled workers with vocational training or academic education may work up to 10h/week for the purpose of trial employment, in which you are qualified. This basically means that you cannot take on a small part-time job (not related to your qualifications) to sustain yourself during your time in Germany. Job seeking visa is purely intended for you to seek and apply for jobs you qualify for. Once you have a job offer, you should be able to change your job seeker visa to a work permit.
What is a good time to start the application when i’m already in Germany?
If you have entered the country already and you are using this as a way to extend your Initial 3 months visa, ideally, allow around 4 to 6 weeks before your current visa runs out to book for an appointment online.
How can i write a compelling motivation letter?
The motivation letter is very important and shouldn’t be underestimated. It should lay the plans for your job search, the action points and the scope of it. Ideally, it should also demonstrate how you can develop a solid situation/career in the future as well. It should also give detail on what your alternative plans are, in case your search doesn’t work out. This is probably to make sure you can go home if you aren’t successful.
Are there any experiences about applications i can read about?
You can read this one, this one, or this one. They are pretty informative about to best approach your Germany job seeker visa application.
How long do i have to wait to hear about my case?
Expect 3 to 4 weeks after submitting your application to hear from your local German mission.
How i can get help or guidance?
You can of course decide to talk to immigration specialists. For more general questions, you can also call a dedicated hotline setup by in cooperation with many different German administrations. They can answer your questions in English. More info about this hotline this way.
You can also turn to this Facebook group: Problems and Challenges with Ausländerbehorde and Einbürgerungsamt (Berlin). It may not replace professional advice, but it’s a good starting point to get real-world advice from people in the same situation as you.
Extra tips:
- If you have any doubt at all, don’t hesitate to call your local German mission to clear them up. They’d rather give you info on the phone than discovering you misunderstood something during your appointment.
- Contact your health insurance provider and ask them to give you a confirmation letter that you are insured.
- Print out bank statement over a few months as proof of income or sufficient fund during your stay.’
- On the day of your appointment, dress appropriately and be on time. It’s a pretty grim place and I know no one is keen to be hanging out there, but it’s better to be early and have enough time to ask around and find where you have to be.
- Hand in all your documents and explain your situation. If you have all the documents needed, they would then ask you to go downstairs to pay the application fee at the machine. After the payment, you would get the job seeking permit stamped into your passport.
- This permit can not be extended and is primarily intended for foreign graduates to seek employment in Germany. However, if you currently have a residence permit which allows you to work here (employment or freelance), you can change it to job seeker visa.
I hope this short intro to the whole Germany job seeker visa topic helped to clear the path ahead of you. Don’t hesitate to share your experiences in the comments. or ask anything. Good luck to you!
Hi Bastien,
Thanks for the care and detail with which you have written the above article! I am a graduate of a joint double-degree master (1st yr in Germany and 2nd yr in France). I have a full degree from two universities. Currently, I possess a residence permit for France, but I want to apply for a job-seeking visa in Germany. So, my question is- Do you think I am eligible for the 18month job-seeking visa after graduation?
I know its a question specific to my case. I am going to contact the Consular Services in Paris. But, I would like to know your opinion. Thanks!
Best,
Meenakshi
Hey Meenakshi. That is such a specific question that I can’t really reply to it. I’d call this official hotline directly. https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/ueber-das-portal/kontakt/hotline/
We as a couple (Myself & Spouse) are looking to start with the ground-work for coming from India to Germany on a Work seeker visa. Request a clarification out of your experience. I have pursued my Master of Business Administration in Marketing & Finance and B-Tech Engineering Degree in Electronics & Communications. I have industry work experience working as a Business Analyst, which means I am into totally different profession versus my educational/ study courses which I have completed.
Kindly suggest, if I can still apply for the Work seeker visa to Germany because the Pre-requisite of Job Seeker visa states that the applicant should “Have a minimum of 5 years of experience in your related field of study”. Could there be any rejection basis this during my visa interview at the German Consulate?
I would love to hear from you.
Hey Prashanjeet. I cannot comments on individual cases for stuff like this, sorry.
Hello everyone!
My current job is based on my jobseeker visa, but after almost a year, I would like to change my job. To be precise, I would like to work in profession which is not related to my University degree, but in which I have experience. I don’t know is that regulated the same in every German state. I’m currently in Thuringia and my current Aufenthaltstitel ist related to my employer. So my question is, am I allowed to change my job and to work in other filed different from my University degree?
Thank you for answer.
Hi
I’m a mechanical engineer and I’m not finding my occupation in the occupation list. Please advise if my occupation is in demand.
Thank you so much I got my job seeker’s visa. I combined what you wrote here and what I also got from another blog site.
. Only this virus thing is now stopping me from moving to Germany.
Thank you so much for your help
Hi,
If I’m in Germany with language Visa, Can I search job side by side in this VISA?
Kind Regards,
Ruchi
Hey Ruchi. Not EU citizens that have a student visa may be able to work only 120 days a year. that’s about 20h a week during a semester.
Hey dear
Recently germany embassy accepted my visa request as a job seeker. But I dont want to get my visa rightnow because of life situation and coronavirus. I want to know how long my visa is valid and if I can postpone my visa for 6 monhts or more? And I read before that this visa will be count down from the day I stamp it in embassy. Is it true or not? Thanks
Hey Peyman. Check with your local mission what the last update is. Your permit might automatically be prolonged as long as you cannot travel to Germany, due to the current situation.
Hi, thank you for that your post, it’s really helpful!
As a background, I came from Indonesia and I’m currently in my last semester in Germany for a master’s degree. I got a dilemma due to my previous employer offering me a job in Singapore. The problem is that I am not that sure yet if the business will go big. So I am having a dilemma whether I should just stay in Germany to not miss an opportunity to work in Europe or go back to Asia and maybe go back to Europe sometime later. However, I heard that getting the job-seeking visa is as easy as a blink of an eye if I just graduated.
I have a question that might be too specific and I don’t really find the answer just yet (maybe because it’s very specific). So my question is if let’s say I went back to Asia and things didn’t end well after a year, can I still apply for the job-seeking visa in Germany as easy as if I just graduated? Any information is appreciated! Thanks!
Hey Haydar. I have no idea. I guess it depends on your profile, and maybe even the Beamter processing your case…
Hello Reader and Admin,
I have a query. I have Job seeker visa (from 21 jan till 20 july). I am in Cologne.
1) I am trying to seek to job. If in case i could not land on to job then can i extend this visa.
If yes then how ?
2) Furthermore if i will get job within this duration what should i do becuase i am confused with temporary resident permit and blue card are both of them are same or different.
3) Is Blue card related application is being done by employee or employer
If you can give me tips and tricks to find job in germany.
Thanks and Regards,
sanjay
Hey Sanja. You can ready more about the blue card this way. Visa extensions maybe granted on a case by case basis. I can imagine you could obtain an extension if you could prove you already have a serious offer and you just need more time to process your work visa/blue card.
Hello I am from African
Holding a human resources degree,
Is it possible for the one who hold a job seeking visa, failing to get a jobs of his/her professional to seek employment in any casual jobs like in construction, cafe,cleaner etc
Hey Godfrey. Yes.
Hello,
Thank you very much for this information.
Currently, I am a student of MSc. Data analytics at Ireland and Want apply for a job seeking Job of Germany.
I have two major questions,
1. As I am a fresher and studying from Ireland, Can I apply for it?
2. Can German language student apply for the Job Seeking Visa from Berlin ?
Regards,
Rajan Baraiya
Hey Rajan. 1. The prerequisites are clearly stated in the post. 2. ?
i need to german job seeker visa if any budy know please guide me
Hi – I need some guidance.
I have German work visa valid till Feb 28, 2020. But currently I am residing in my home country as the employer who offered me job has some issue and currently he has no assignment for me in Germany. Please suggest me should I travel to Germany and apply for Job Seeker visa there or my current visa status can be converted to Job Seeker. I am too much depressed as I got chance to own this visa but now I couldn’t travel due to unavailability of work with my employer. Please suggest me should I stay here in my home country and apply for job seeker visa here or should I travel to Germany and convert my visa to Job seeker visa there.
Please note that the employer name is mentioned in my visa and it is also mentioned that I am eligible for the Blue card.
Kindly respond me as soon as possible as I have very short time to make decision.
Thanks
Hey Mak. It seems like you know all the parameters to take into account yourself. Applying for a job seeker visa seems certainly possibly and nothing speak against ist. It seems like a personal decision to me in your case.
Thanks for this useful information. I have Higher National Certificate From Polytechnic which is equivalent of Bachelor’s degree. I want to know if the certificate will be accepted
Also what’s the maximum age for this
Thanks
Hello everyone,
I am working in cybersecuritya ND I have 3.5years of experience. Am I eligible for Jobseeker visa. Is there any minimum specific requirement ?
Hey Ramse. I cannot comment on individual cases on so little info. Please get in touch with an immigration expert.
I have Higher National Certificate in Insurance From Polytechnic which is equivalent of Bachelor’s degree. I want to know if the certificate will be accepted
Also what’s the maximum age for this
Thanks
Can I leave Germany for a whale and come back with job seeker visa?
Hey Yvonne. I suppose yes. Hard to say on so little details?
Hello All,
I need guidance to know that Is there any AGE LIMIT to apply for the Germany Jobseeker visa. Kindly guide. Thank you so much. Regards, JAGMOHAN
Hi,. Is it possible to apply job seeker visa when I’m in Berlin? Currently on a visit visa
Hey Charla, have you seen this?
Hey Bastian,
Many thanks for your helpful blog!! Some great info! I just got offered a contract for a job starting in March next year working in Quality Management/Business Analyst. If an employer is willing to sponsor you, does this improve your chances of securing a work visa? Do you know whether you have to provide your qualification details and other documentation in German?? Or will English suffice?
Cheers Omar
Hi, I will be in Belgium for a business meet in December, can I apply for job seeker visa by travelling to Germany. I will be on Schengen via,will I get a reply with in the 90 days
Hey Vaddy. I can’t confirm you’d get a positive response within 90 days. Depends on each case.
Hi!
I am a Filipino CPA currently working as an accountant here in Dubai. Can I found a job in Germany under the job seeker’s visa? What city is most likely to hire non EU accountants? Thank you.
Hey Jayson. I cannot comment on the chances of success for individual cases. This is your responsibility to make the proper research. I am no immigration lawyer.
Hello
I have more than 10 years of experience in SAP FICO. Will i have any opportunity there
I have my bank acccount in my home country and I am working in Saudi Arabia, can I use the bank account in my home country or do I have to put the money in my bank account in Saudi Arabia before proceeding.
Please advice
Hey Ibrahima. Before proceeding to what? The question is a bit confusing.
Hi Bastien,
I am currently in UAE, working as secretary, I’m a Filipino Citizen. I am thinking of applying for a JSV, I am a graduate of Bachelor’s in Secondary Education (major in Social Studies). I taught in the Philippines for 7 years, but in UAE im working as a Secretary for 10 years now.
Will it be possible for me to get a job as a secretary there also? Or do I need to study again to be able to teach in Germany?
Thanks ina dvance for your reply.
Hey Grace. Teachers are in demand but you’d probably need to have excellent German skills to get a job here as one. Secretary is not really a shortage occupation atm.
Hallo Bastien,
Danke für die informative Artikel. Habe eine Frage: Waere ich waehrend des Visums des Jobsuches ein Praktikum gefunden, würde ich zur Arbeitserlaubnis berechtigt?
Hey Alper. Nein.
Hi Bastien,
I am currently in Germany with Jobseeker Visa. Receblty my wife got a job in Germany(She was studying here). Can i convert my jobseeker VISA to family reunin from Germany?
Hey Firos. Probably best to ask a specialist but in my opinion, the only outcome of a job seeker visa is the obtainment of a work visa. You’d need to probably make a separate application for a family reunion visa.
Hi Bastien, I’ve read that for the job seeker visa you need at least 5 years of experience in your field, is this quite a strict policy? If I only have 3 years in my field, would I be disqualified? Also are there certain industries which are accepted over others (I work in marketing)? Thanks!
Hey Maia. Experience is not a hard requirement but it is in fact playing a big part in how your file will be processed. In my opinion, it depends on how big the shortage of profile currently is in Germany for your field/industry. In doubt, you can call the hotline to get more details. Marketing would not be a field where Germany needs more workforce at the moment.
Hello Bastien, I am pretty impressed with all the information you put togehter, definitely one of the most informative sites I have came across.
My question is, is it necessary to hold a certain level of german for this visa? I have heard people say that they were not asked in the interview and were granted the visa (not even knowing german at all) but I called the Embassy in my country and the lady that picked up said that if I don’t have at least B1, my papers are gonna get sent back, I took A2 but I am not certified and that is causing me some stress.
Hey Marili. It is not a hard requirement but it certainly is going to increase your chances a lot if you do have some German skills. They will always favor people with German skills, which makes sense. So i think the person you talked was being realistic that’s all. However, if your profile is really rare and really demanded for Germany, maybe A2 would be enough.
Hey Bastien,
I am a TU Munchen graduate and currently hold a job search visa. I have got an offer for a 3-month internship. Do you know if it is possible to work in an internship during the period of job seeking visa? Or do I need to fill out a form or obtain a new visa?
Thank you,
Duc
Hey Duc. As mentioned in the post, you cannot work with a JSV. Good luck with it all.
Hi, DUC,
I have the similar problem. Did you talk to the HR about it? Or how do you solve it. Thanks in advance.
Hello Bastian!
I have a question, would you happen to know if there are high chances to get a job in Germany without a IT Profile? I have B2 level of German (currently styuding C1). However, my background is not entirely related to IT and I´m scared not getting a job in 6 months 🙁
Hey there. Sorry, i can’t really make a judgement call on this on so little details. Depends on your experience i suppose, people tend to look at actual experience instead of degrees.
Hi Bastien,
I need some advice.
I’m on Job Seeker Visa. I was offered employment contract by two companies in April 2019. I chose one of them, took several weeks to move from Berlin to Bayern, and to settle and wait for the joining date; booked an appointment with Auslanderbehorde (in Bayern). Auslanderbehorde took two weeks only to respond to the email and to give appointment date that’s just 2 days before my visa expiry.
Now it turned out the company decided not to pursue with me. That is, I’m terminated even before filing an application for the blue card. So I have only 2 weeks to search for another job and get a contract (which is almost impossible).
Since this company gave me false hopes, and I turned down another contract due to it in April, what course of action should I take to extend my stay? You mentioned that Job Seeker Visa is not extendable. However, I didn’t fail in finding a job since I already got two contracts during my search, but how do I explain this to the Auslanderbehorde at my appointment date?
I also need to know what happens if a company terminates an employee when that employee’s blue card application processing had just started and had not completed yet. Would that employee still get 6 months time to search for another job?
I’d highly appreciate if you guide me on this and maybe direct me to the right resources of profound legal advice.
Thank you !
Hey there. Sorry to hear about your troubles. That’s not an easy situation. This is beyond my knowledge. I suggest you call this hotline so they can give you some pointers and ask if there is some tolerance due to your case. Good luck with it all.
1. I plan to apply for JSV. I am from Nigeria and do not reside in germany. Can i use hotel booking as a temporal proof of residence in germany. I also plan to rent an apartment within one week i entered germany.
2. I hold nursing/midwifery certificates. Am i qualified to apply for JSV?
Hey Agwu. 1. Only if the hotel would accept to let you do the Anmeldung there by providing the right documents. 2. Nursing is part of the official whitelist of where there are not enough labor on the local market, so that could increase your chances. Good luck with it all.
Hello Team,
Is it compulsory to have 5 years of experience before applying for Jobseeker visa?
No. it’s not a hard requirement but it does improve your chances to have a bit of experience.
Hi
My friend is in Germany, but he is not German National, so my question is can I live with him during my JSV? Or do I need to arrange a separate accommodation?
Hey Muhammad, if his/her landlord is ok with it, and you can register there with a proper subtenancy contract, it should not be a problem.
From when six-month period starts? From the day of stamp or from the day we land in Germany?
Hey Krishna. The stamp.
Hello, thanks for all the information, I am Bachelor of Education of science, and Biology teacher, from Chile fortunately my career is accredited, but After I graduated I only have worked in the medical sales field. I’ll apply for a JSV and I have the following question. Can I go through this process even if I’ll Look for a job different than my Bachelors degree? “Medical sales representative” I do have experience and I speak English fluently. Thanks a lot
Hey Camila. Yes, you can try but it would probably not increase your chances. You need to convince the German authorities that you have chances to find a job here, so probably a relevant experience in a sought-after field is the best way to go.
Dear Bastien,
Thank you for the informative article. Such articles prove to be helpful especially when one is desperately looking for answers. Could you please help me with a couple of queries ?
I am a German Language Expert with relevant academic and vocational background. I am currently employed with a renowned IT organization in India for the past 20 years and have worked on several Germany-based client-projects (a couple of these onsite) requiring German language support.
I would like to work in Germany and need clarification on some fundamental aspects of Job Seeker’s Visa.
a) Is it mandatory or advisable to look for a job in Germany while being physically present in Germany with a JSV? Or can one also apply for jobs while being present in one’s country?
b) Will I need to first quit my existing job in order to apply for a job seeker’s visa or to travel to Germany on JSV? Please advise.
c) Since I do not possess any so-called IT or programming skills as such but do have vast experience in IT industry, do you think, I stand a good chance to find a job in Germany?
Thank you in anticipation.
Regards,
Fachbereiter
Hey there. a)Compulsory no, but this is the point of a JSV. b)Your current employment status is not relevant for the JSV to German authorities c)Being fluent in German is definitely a major plus but i can’t judge of your chances on so little infos, within a comment section, sorry. Good luck with it all.
Hello,
My interview for job seekers visa to Germany is scheduled next week. I have a question regarding the “valid passport”. According to the official website, the passport has to be valid for 12 months from the scheduled return, but my passport would be valid only for 10 months. I cant renew my passport as I have my interview next week. I am worried, if it has to be really valid for 12 months from the scheduled return?
Hey Deeksha. The rules are the rules but there is a chance the representative closes a eye on it. But who knows? Nothing is for sure. Either you reschedule your appointment or you go anyway and try your luck. Not much else to do, don’t you think?
HELLO , I am from india. I graduated in B.TECH FOOD PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY IN 2016. I have 2 years of experienced in related field. How many possibility to get job in germany according my study & experienced. I am looking for germany job seeker visa.
Hey Dave, maybe you should have a look at this website, detailing professions in demand.
hi! I have a job seeker visa for Germany, I have planned to travel to Spain for a few days, but I was wondering if I can leave the country , or if the Visa just applies for my stay in Germany. Thanks!
Hi Bastien!
I have a job seeker visa and i have found a job here in Germany but it is not a qualified job. Is that a problem ? Am I allowed to work any kind of job or should i serach only for qualified jobs?
Hey Sara. You should refer to my post about work visa in Germany. It certainly increases your chances if the job is part of the “shortage occupations” type, where there are not enough candidates in Germany. Qualification is then not directly a concern, although it’s most often linked to it.
Hi Bastien!
Thanks a lot for your answer!
Hi Sara, i’m about to apply for Job seeker visa, so my question is how come you found proof of accommodation in Germany, can you suggest me some tips to get accommodation proof to show while applying JSV.
Thank you
Babu
Hi Babu !
Actually my sister lives in Germany so this part was easy for me. So if someone you know (relatives or a friend) who lives here in Germany, can help you with Meldebestätigung (accomodation proof). That’s all i know . I wish you the best of luck on your application!
Hi Bastien,
thank you very much for all the information, it is very helpful!. I have two additional questions, hopefully, you can help me with them. I am from south America and we currently don’t need a visa to go to Germany as visitors. Do you happen to know if I can apply for the job seeking visa in Berlin once I enter the country as a visitor?, and the other question is, in what language do I have to submit the documents (CV, motivation letter, diploma, etc) is English ok or does it have to be in German, and if so, do they have to be translated by an official translator? thanks in advance for all your help.
Hey Jules. Well, you still need to submit a proof of residence, as mentioned in the post.
Hi Bastien,
Hope you are doing well. I have lost my job 4 month ago and lost also my Eu blue card and they gave me ‘Job seeker visa’. I found recently new job but it is under 52000 but it IT. I went to Auslanderbehorde in Frankfurt and she just got contract copied and said that she will send it to Arbeitsganetur. I even didnt apply for Blue card or any residence permit. Based on Contract i should start 1 st of April but Auslanderbehorde wrote me that they sent it already to Arbeitagenture. I called today to Arbeitagneture and they didnt still receive soemthing. How can i speed it up? or can i get temporary workingpermit or something? beucase i am afraid that company cna reject it….Thank you in advance
Hey Tural. There is unfortunately not much you can do to speed it up. You could however call that official hotline to ask for alternatives.
Hello Bastien,
My name is Sanket. I have applied for JSV and my interview is scheduled on May 19. one of my friend is sponsor-er for my accommodation during my stay. My question is what are the document i should carry from while going for an visa interview .Also do we have example/sample of invitation letter so i would get more idea.
Regards
Sanket
Hello Sanket,
My name is Osama. I have couple of question for you please.First, is it compulsory to have experience for JSV. Second things is it required to have German language course.
thanks in advance
Hi Bastien,
I would like to know if it is possible to go with my wife to Germany with a Job Seeker Visa??
Partner’s are allowed to go to Germany with other partner’s Job seeker visa?? if it is possible, then What would be the bank balance i need to show.
Please let me know if you have any information.
Thank you very much in advance for your valuable information.
Hey Kishore. No that would not be possible. She would need to apply for her own visa.
Hello..
Can i submit a sponsorship letter (proof of funds and stay) from a German citizen for my entire period of job search??
you mentioned euro 720/month ..so can i show my uncle will sponsor my entire stay until i find a job or return to my country?
Hey Sango. This is definitely an option but it requires a bit of work for your sponsor. Make sure to double check with your local German mission. More info here.
I am a non-EU permanent resident of Italy (I have permanent residence card). If I want to work in Germany, I need to find the job, get a job offer and apply for a working visa in Germany embassy in Italy which takes quite long time and I might miss my chance to work in Germany.
1. Does this type of visa help me to get the job and contract easier in Germany?
2. If with this type of visa I find a job in Germany, can I apply for a resident permit directly in Germany (convert my residence type) or I need to get a working visa from the German embassy in Italy?
thanks
Hey Alex. 1. Hard to tell. Probably up to perception of your prospective employer; they might be reassured that you are already on EU soil or maybe it makes no difference at all. 2- If you were on a Blue card in Italy, then probably yes. For you current case, i honestly don’t know.
Hi Batstien,
Thank you for an incredibly useful and informative site.
Hi Harpeet,
I am considering a job seekers visa, but I’m wondering if, once it’s granted, you have to secure employment that offers a €53,600 per annum? Or there no minimum salary required?
Regards,
Kerry
Hey Kerry. Once you have found a job, the normal requirements/conditions for the employment visa apply, as described in this post about work visa for Germany.
hello
i m harpreet singh
i got job seeker visa which starts from april first week
kindly advice me how i can extend my job seeker visa
Dear Sir
I am from uk non eu residence , I am graduated in MSc IT computer and Networking security professional and have IT job in UK . I want to come germany , here in UK i have visa application pending home office , but given right to work , can I apply from UK ?
Hey Anoni. As mentioned in the post, you can apply from a local German mission yes.
Hi,
I am going to apply for jobseeker visa & having 12 years experience in the food and beverage industry possible I can get a job for my experience past six years I’m working in Singapore.
Hey Anand. That’s a large amount of experience so it does definitely improve your chances. You’d need to check your chances in local job portals to see if there any openings in your carreer area.
Hi .. I planning to apply for JSV. I am a sales professional (Sales Account Manger) with 10+ years of experience in beverages and consumer electronic industries.
What are the chances to get JSV approval and also chance to get job there. I am still trying to learn some basic German language.
Hey Asim. I cannot really comment on the specifics of your profile. The question is always: is your profile rare enough in Germany to justify a positive answer?
Dear Sir
What is difference between work visa and job seeker visa
Job seeker visa allows you to come to Germany to look for a job here. A work visa is granted if you have found a job already.
Hi, thanks for informative article . i am from marketing background and have experience of more than 4 years . my qualification is MBA marketing . do Germany has requirement of marketing profile people . so that i can apply for same .
Hey Seema. You can use the tool linked in the article to check if your diploma is recognized in Germany. As for your chances, i’d say the following; ask yourself if your profile is asked for/rare in Germany in your field.
With this visa, can I apply for any kind of job or just the jobs related to my experience?
Hey Shima. This visa grants you a residence permit to search for a job, that question would be more appropriate for the post about employment visa in Germany for example.
Hello,
If I got a JSV based on my IT experience, do I have to get a job in IT to get work permit?
Hey Amit. IT is a shortage occupation in Germany, so you would improve your chances by sticking to IT.
Hi Bastien,
I want to apply for the JSV am a professional photographer, a fork lift operator and also a HSE officer but stuffed computer science. Which profession do you feel is better for me to apply
Hey Sammi. You have way more chances to apply as developer/IT professional in my opinion.
With the Germany job seeker visa, am I eligible to apply any job in Germany, or it have to be a sponsored job only?
If I don’t get a job in 6 month, can I re-apply for the VISA?
Thanks for the informative article, could you please help me with the time taken to convert JSV to work permit in germany?
Hey Sam. The simple and unfortunate answer is: it depends. Several weeks is probably needed.
hi team.im from albania and i dont have a diploma only driving licence c+e.do i have a chance to live and work there?thank you
Hey Albert. I can’t possibly answer this within the comments’section of this blog. I suggest you approach a consultant instead.
Hi Team,
I have the company work permit till feb 2020 and a company visa for 6 months. I would like to know if I resign this company how long can’t I stay here and do I need to change the visa status, please let me know the process to find another job and settle.
Hey Abdul, as mentioned in the post, it is possible to change your current visa to a job seeker visa. The timeline after you resign is unknown to me, it is sometimes case by case and should be written in your documents somewhere.
Hi ,
I got a Job seeker VISA. If i find a job in Germany then how soon i can start working ? . If i apply for blue card after getting a job offer then should i wait to start working until Blue card is approved ?. Whether i am allowed to J while blue join new job while my blue card application is in process ?
Hey JC. You can start working as soon as you have a obtained an employment visa or blue card. Always wait to have your visa approved before starting on your new job.
Hi,
I would like to know the probability or chances of getting a job in the Event and Exhibition industry in Germany on Work seeking Visa.
I need this answer seriously because I have very limited amount as saving in my account and I’m not in the position to take any risk of leaving my current job in hunt of a new one without homework. I working in the representative office of German Messe (Exhibition center) for Asia region.
Your answer will be highly appreciated and will affect my future.
Regards,
J K
Hey J. Unfortunately, those are industry-specific questions that i cannot answer. Since you belong to that industry, you are actually in much better position to answer that question than me. From my general knowledge, Germany is THE country in Europe for conferences, Messen and exhibitions, so that’d be a first sign i guess. Good luck with your search!
Hi,
If a person is unable to find a job on JSV within 6 months can he extend his visa? So that he can search for jobs some more time in Germany?
Your answer will be appreciated as I couldn’t find any answer fir this query in the web.
Thanks
Rahul
Hey Rahul. As far as i know, that can only be done if you have graduated from a German school/university. Then it can be until 18 months. Source.
Hello! I already got the Job seeker Visa. I would like to know about the next step in Germany. Do I have to do Anmeldung or register to Ausländerbehörde? Am i obligated to? Due to job interviews i am not going to live in one place for a long time. Thanks
Hey Anna. I’d advise you to register at the Bürgeramt yes. Book an appointment at the Behörde 4 to 6 weeks before your visa runs out as to have one in time when you’ll get a job.
Hello, my name is kiran kumar, have applied for Germany job seeker visa from india and having visa interview on this 31st july, i am it person and having 11+ years of experience in SAP domain, can someone help me to share the sample covering letter.
Kumar.bsob@gmail.com
Thanks in advance,
Kiran
With this visa, can I get a job and study at the same time? like the duales studium?
Hey Ana. You may want to check with an expert but if you are referring to vocational studies, this official resource here tells me that it would be best to apply for a student visa (more info that there) instead.
I am currently applying for this visa from within the UK. I was wondering what additional documents I could provide as “Proof of main residency in Berlin” since I am still in the UK and unable to provide Anmeldung or a lease. Would a letter from someone living there granting me permission to stay with them be suffiecient?
Hey there. The requirements are very clear as you can see there. It’s either a Meldebescheinigung or a lease with written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord.
Dude, click the links on the ‘experiences’ part of the article. They had to book a hotel for that. Anmeldung you can only do when you are already in Germany. If you know somehere in Germany they can apply for Verpflichtungserkärung.
Hey Bastien, there’s an error in the last bullet point of your extra tips. If you’re already living here on a residence permit that allows you to work you CAN go straight onto the job seeker visa. This is a condition, not an exclusion. So if you’re here on a working holiday you can switch to the job seeker visa but if you’re on a student or family visa you may not. I just confirmed it in my appointment at the Auslanderbehorde today!
(Second paragraph under prequisites)
https://www.berlin.de/labo/willkommen-in-berlin/dienstleistungen/service.271950.php/dienstleistung/324661/en/
Hey Lachlan. Thanks very much for the insights. I will amend the article accordingly.
Hey Lachlan! When you switched your visa over to a JSV, was that change also 6 months OR were you able to keep the original length of your visa?
Thanks!