HERE YOU LEARN ...
... what the Jobseeker Visa is and what the difference is to the Opportunity Card
... under which conditions you can apply for the Job Seeker Visa and the Opportunity Card and which documents you need
... how to apply for a jobseeker visa after terminating your employment contract
... how to apply for a jobseeker visa after completing your studies
Written by:
Attorney
Publication date:
02.04.2024
Reading time
9 mins
Table of Content
1. What is a jobseeking visa (Germany)?
2. Applying for a jobseeking visa from abroad
2.1 Jobseeking visa Germany 2024 requirements
2.2 Recognition as a skilled worker
2.3 Livelihood
2.4 Other general requirements
2.5 Jobseeker visa application process
2.6 Necessary documents Jobseeker Visa Germany
2.7 Appointment booking and visa interview
3. Jobseeker visa after termination of the employment contract
4. Jobseeker visa after completing studies in Germany
1. What is a jobseeking visa (Germany)?
The job-seeker visa (also known as a “job-seeker visa” or “job-search visa for skilled workers”) is a residence permit for Germany that allows skilled workers to enter Germany and stay here for the purpose of looking for a job. The visa is also very suitable for bridging periods of short-term unemployment (e.g. job-seeking visa after studying or after termination of the employment contract). In fact, the job-seeker visa is applied for much more frequently in Germany in the form of a residence permit than abroad in the visa version. However, it can be expected that this trend will be reversed with the introduction of the new opportunity card from June 1, 2024.
In many countries, a work contract is a prerequisite for long-term residence for foreigners. In Germany, however, legal residence is possible under certain conditions even if there is no work contract. However, a person's livelihood must still be secured. Residence is therefore generally only possible if there are financial means to support oneself for several months without a job.
The job-searching visa exists in several variants:
Job search visa for skilled workers with academic qualifications (up to 6 months),
Job-seeking visa for skilled workers with vocational training (up to 6 months),
Job-seeking visa for foreigners with German vocational or higher education qualifications and scientists (between 6 and 18 months),
Job search with the Opportunity Card (from 01.06.2024)
The job-seeking visas have different requirements, depending on whether the visa is applied for from abroad (e.g. from India or Pakistan) or from within the country (e.g. after studying or after termination of the employment contract) and what qualification the applicant has. The most relevant case scenarios for job-seeking visas in practice are presented below.
2. Apply for a jobseeking visa from abroad
The constellation originally intended by the legislator for applying for a residence permit to look for a job is the job seeker visa from abroad. Skilled workers (especially those from the IT sector) should be given the opportunity to immigrate to Germany without having already signed an employment contract abroad.
2.1 Requirements for Jobseeking Visa Germany 2024
To apply for a job-searching visa from abroad (e.g. as an IT professional from India or Pakistan), two main requirements must be met: You must be a professional (i.e. have a recognized professional or academic qualification) and you must be able to secure your livelihood for the duration of your stay in Germany.
2.2 Recognition as a professional
Until the Opportunity Card is introduced on June 1, 2024, it is only possible to apply for a Jobseeker visa if you are a skilled worker with a recognized degree. You must therefore check how you can have your vocational training or university degree recognized or whether the degree is already recognized before applying for the visa. If you have completed vocational training in your home country, you can use the Federal Government’s portal for the recognition of vocational training (anerkennung-in-deutschland.de ) to find out whether you have to have your training recognized before applying for a visa and how the recognition process works. If you are a qualified professional with an academic degree (university or college), you can use the so-called Anabin to check whether your university and university degree are recognized in Germany . If this is not the case, you must apply for a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) before applying for a visa.
2.3 Livelihood
Another requirement for applying for a jobseeker visa for Germany is that you are able to secure your livelihood. In concrete terms, this means that you must have sufficient financial means to stay in Germany for several months. In this respect, the job-seeking visa does not allow you to prove that you have a livelihood through an employment contract, since you are not yet working. You must secure your livelihood for the entire period for which you are applying for the visa. To calculate the amount of money you need for this, you must first determine your monthly needs and then multiply this by the number of months you intend to stay. The monthly needs usually include at least the following expenses:
Rent
Health insurance
Demand rule rate
So if, for example, you need 1,500 euros per month for these costs and want to stay in Germany for six months with the jobseeking visa, you must prove savings of at least 9,000 euros when submitting your application (1,500 euros per month x 6 months).
2.4 Other general requirements
Finally, the general visa requirements must also be met. Specifically, these include the following:
valid passport available,
no previous convictions,
no interest in deportation.
2.5 Jobseeker visa application process
If you meet the general requirements for a visa, you can apply for it at the embassy responsible for you. Which embassy is responsible for your application depends on where you live. For example, if you live in India, you can enter your district on the website of the German embassies in India to find out which embassy is responsible for your district .
2.6 Necessary documents Jobseeker Visa Germany
You can then find out from the website of the respective embassy which documents are required to apply for a job-seeking visa and in what form these documents must be presented (see, for example , the information sheet of the German Embassy in India on applying for a job-seeking visa ).
As a rule, at least the following documents are required:
passport
2 biometric passport photos
Copies of the passport data page
Professional qualification certificate or university degree certificate
Proof of recognition of the qualification in Germany (e.g. Anabin )
Proof of livelihood (e.g. blocked account or declaration of commitment)
CV
Proof of health insurance
References from previous employers (if available)
Professional license (if necessary)
The necessary documents vary depending on the country and embassy. For example, the embassies in India often require additional documents such as proof of accommodation (e.g. invitation letter or rental agreement), a birth certificate and a letter of motivation. It is therefore advisable to follow the guidelines on the respective embassy website. If in doubt, you can also book an initial consultation with an immigration lawyer.
2.7 Appointment booking and visa interview
If you have the necessary documents to apply for a jobseeking visa, you can book an appointment online (see e.g. here for RK visas from the German Embassy in India/New Delhi ). At the appointment, your documents will be checked for completeness and you will have to provide your biometric data and pay the fee. In cases where the applicant has to prove German language skills, the embassy employee may also check your language skills in a short interview.
If the documents and information are complete, the embassy will decide on your application for a job-seeking visa. The embassy has a certain degree of discretion in the legal and plausibility check when making the decision. A positive decision is therefore not guaranteed even if the documents are complete. Processing usually takes several weeks or months. From a legal perspective, the immigration authorities have up to three months to decide on the application for a job-seeking visa. After three months, the applicant can file a so-called action for failure to act with the administrative court in Berlin with the help of a visa lawyer. This usually significantly shortens the processing time.
Once a decision has been made on your application, you will receive the visa. This visa can then be used to enter Germany.
3. Jobseeker Visa after termination of the employment contract
The job-searching visa is also often applied for when a short period of unemployment needs to be bridged (e.g. after termination of the contract, after signing a termination agreement or when changing employers). Here too, proof of a livelihood must be provided in order to apply for a residence permit after termination of the employment contract. So, for example, if you want to apply for a job-searching visa for six months after termination of the employment contract, you must prove that you have financial resources for around six months.
For further information on securing a livelihood, please see our guide to applying for a residence permit.
In contrast to the jobseeking visa, you do not have to apply for a residence permit to look for a job after termination of your employment contract at the embassy, but at your responsible immigration office. On the website of the relevant immigration office you can find out which documents are necessary and how the application process will work (see, for example, the guide on the homepage of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin on applying for a jobseeker visa ).
When applying for a job-searching visa after termination of the contract in Berlin, the following documents must usually be submitted:
Application form for a residence permit in Berlin (PDF)
Registration certificate from Berlin
valid passport
biometric photo
Professional qualification certificate or university certificate
Proof of recognition of the qualification (e.g. Anabin )
Proof of health insurance
Proof of financial stability
References from previous employers (if available)
Professional license (if necessary)
You can submit the application by email to your responsible clerk or via the online service of the immigration office in Berlin . Further information on applying for a job-searching visa in Berlin can be found on the homepage of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) .
In contrast to the jobseeking visa, you do not have to apply for a residence permit to look for a job after termination of your employment contract at the embassy, but at your responsible immigration office. On the website of the relevant immigration office you can find out which documents are necessary and how the application process will work (see, for example , the guide on the homepage of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin on applying for a jobseeker visa ).
When applying for a job-searching visa after termination of the contract in Berlin, the following documents must usually be submitted:
Registration certificate from Berlin
valid passport
biometric photo
Professional qualification certificate or university certificate
Proof of recognition of the qualification (e.g. Anabin )
Proof of health insurance
Proof of financial stability
References from previous employers (if available)
Professional license (if necessary)
You can submit the application by email to your responsible clerk or via the online service of the immigration office in Berlin . Further information on applying for a job-searching visa in Berlin can be found on the homepage of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) .
Registration certificate from Berlin
valid passport
biometric photo
Professional qualification certificate or university certificate
Proof of recognition of the qualification (e.g. Anabin )
Proof of health insurance
Proof of financial stability
References from previous employers (if available)
Professional license (if necessary)
You can submit the application by email to your responsible clerk or via the online service of the immigration office in Berlin . Further information on applying for a job-searching visa in Berlin can be found on the homepage of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) .
4. Jobseeking Visa after completing your studies in Germany
Another situation in which a job-seeking visa can be applied for in Germany is when looking for a job after completing a degree in Germany. Compared to other variants of the job-seeking visa, the job-seeker visa after completing a degree in Germany has clear advantages.
the Jobseeking Visa is issued for up to 18 months (instead of six),
any type of employment (including self-employment and freelancing) is permitted (with the normal job-seeking visa only trial employment is permitted),
the qualification does not have to be recognised by a certificate evaluation,
the foreigner is entitled to be granted a job-searching visa (normally the immigration authorities have discretion).
These advantages mean that the jobseeking visa is very popular after completing a degree in Germany and is applied for by many foreigners. It is expected that the number of applications will increase after the introduction of the Opportunity Card on June 1, 2024.
Once you have successfully completed your studies, you must submit the application directly to the immigration authority responsible for you. The authority is determined by your place of residence and can be determined using the authority finder of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) (determining the authority) .
the Jobseeking Visa is issued for up to 18 months (instead of six),
any type of employment (including self-employment and freelancing) is permitted (with the normal job-seeking visa only trial employment is permitted),
the qualification does not have to be recognised by a certificate evaluation,
the foreigner is entitled to be granted a job-searching visa (normally the immigration authorities have discretion).
These advantages mean that the jobseeking visa is very popular after completing a degree in Germany and is applied for by many foreigners. It is expected that the number of applications will increase after the introduction of the Opportunity Card on June 1, 2024.
Once you have successfully completed your studies, you must submit the application directly to the immigration authority responsible for you. The authority is determined by your place of residence and can be determined using the authority finder of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) (determining the authority) .
As a rule, at least the following documents are required to apply for the Jobseeker Visa after completing your studies:
Registration certificate
valid passport
biometric photo
Certificate of university degree
Proof of health insurance
Proof of securing livelihood (e.g. bank statements)
Depending on the authority and the clerk, additional documents may be required. You can find more information on applying for a jobseeker visa after completing a degree in Germany on the website of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) on the job-searching visa in Berlin. Although the information only applies to the state of Berlin, it has a certain general validity, as the State Office for Immigration (LEA) is the largest immigration authority in Germany.
5. Opportunity Map Germany 2024
The Opportunity Card (not to be confused with the Opportunity Residence Right pursuant to Section 104c of the Residence Act) is one of the major new introductions of the reform of the Skilled Immigration Act in 2023. It was created based on the Canadian model and is intended to enable well-trained or experienced skilled workers to stay in Germany under certain conditions. In contrast to other residence permits, the Opportunity Card is not tied to mandatory requirements that must be met, but allows missing requirements to be compensated for by other features. The legal regulations for the Opportunity Card will come into force on June 1, 2024. The Opportunity Card will partially replace the Jobseeker Visa. At the moment, the Jobseeker Visa is still being issued to all skilled workers. This area of application will be restricted from June 1, 2024. From June 1, 2024, only foreigners with a domestic educational qualification (so-called educational nationals) and domestic researchers will be able to apply for the Job Searching Visa. All others (especially visa applicants from abroad) must apply for the Opportunity Card. Requirements for issuing the Opportunity Card
Securing livelihoods
Just like the Jobseeking Visa, the requirement for issuing the Opportunity Card is that you can secure your livelihood. In concrete terms, this means that you are able to finance your rent, health insurance and your daily needs during your stay in Germany. These expenses usually amount to around 1,500 euros per month. So if you apply for the Opportunity Card for 6 months, you must have financial resources of 9,000 euros. You must therefore prove this amount when applying for the Opportunity Card (for example by submitting bank statements). Securing your livelihood is a mandatory requirement for applying for the Opportunity Card. The immigration authorities cannot deviate from this.
The second important requirement for applying for the opportunity card is that you are a skilled worker (opportunity card for skilled workers) or that you have enough points according to the points table (points opportunity card). If you are a trained skilled worker (i.e. have a qualification recognized in Germany), you do not have to achieve the minimum number of points. Your training then replaces the necessary points. The points are therefore only relevant if you do not have any training recognized in Germany. If you do not have any training recognized in Germany, you must achieve at least 6 points according to the following list:
1. (partially recognized) degree or training abroad - 4 points
2. B2 knowledge of the German language - 3 points
3. B1 knowledge of the German language - 2 points
4. A2 German language skills - 1 point
5. C1 English language skills - 1 point
6. 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field in the last 7 years - 3 points
7. 2 years of professional experience in a relevant field in the last 5 years - 2 points
8. Qualifications in a STEM field - 1 point
9. not older than 35 years old - 2 points
10. not older than 40 years old - 1 point
11. 6 months of legal residence in Germany in the last 5 years - 1 point
12. have a spouse who meets the requirements for the opportunity card - 1 point
The second important requirement for applying for the opportunity card is that you are a skilled worker (opportunity card for skilled workers) or that you have enough points according to the points table (points opportunity card). If you are a trained skilled worker (i.e. have a qualification recognized in Germany), you do not have to achieve the minimum number of points. Your training then replaces the necessary points. The points are therefore only relevant if you do not have training recognized in Germany. If you do not have training recognized in Germany, you must achieve at least 6 points according to the following list:
1. (partially recognized) degree or training abroad - 4 points
2. B2 knowledge of the German language - 3 points
3. B1 knowledge of the German language - 2 points
4. A2 German language skills - 1 point
5. C1 English language skills - 1 point
6. 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field in the last 7 years - 3 points
7. 2 years of professional experience in a relevant field in the last 5 years - 2 points
8. Qualifications in a STEM field - 1 point
9. not older than 35 years old - 2 points
10. not older than 40 years old - 1 point
11. 6 months of legal residence in Germany in the last 5 years - 1 point
12. have a spouse who meets the requirements for the opportunity card - 1 point
Furthermore, it is a requirement that you have A1 German language skills. In addition to these requirements, the general visa requirements must of course always be met (in particular, a valid passport must be available). Rights with the new Opportunity Card (2023)
The opportunity card will make it possible to work up to 20 hours a week. If this option is used, it will make it much easier to secure a livelihood. The opportunity card is generally issued for one year (so-called search opportunity card) and can be extended to two years under certain conditions (so-called follow-up opportunity card).
6. FAQ (Jobseeker Visa)
Is the Opportunity Card the same as the Job Seeker Visa?
No, the Opportunity Card is different from the Job Seeker Visa.
What is the difference between Opportunity Card and Job Seeker Visa?
The difference between the Opportunity Card and the Job Seeker Visa is that since the last reform, the Job Seeker Visa can only be applied for by people who have been trained in Germany.
What do I have to do after being fired as a foreigner?
As a foreigner, you usually have to inform the immigration authorities and the Federal Employment Agency after termination.
Will my residence permit become invalid after termination?
No, your residence permit does not automatically become invalid after termination. You can continue to use it until the immigration authorities revoke the residence permit.
Can I apply for unemployment benefits as a foreigner?
Yes, since unemployment benefit is an insurance, you can apply for ALG I. However, this does not apply to social assistance.
When am I entitled to ALG I as a foreigner?
Foreigners are also entitled to ALG I after 12 months of employment.
Do I have to provide a living wage for the Job Seeker Visa and the Opportunity Card?
Yes, in order to apply for the JSV and the Opportunity Card you must secure your livelihood (Section 5 Paragraph 1 No. 1 of the Residence Act).
THIS MAY ALSO INTEREST YOU
Information about the Opportunity Map at make-it-in-germany.com
Information from the Federal Government on the Opportunity Map
Literature: BeckOK AuslR/Breidenbach, 42nd Ed. 1.7.2024, AufenthG § 20 Rn. 1 - 9
Literature: Huber/Mantel AUfenthG/Dippe, 3rd edition 2021, AufenthG § 20
