Once you’ve finished your studies in Germany, you may decide you’d like to stay in the country longer and start looking for somewhere to work. First, you will need to consider whether you’re eligible to look for work in Germany - especially if you’re an international student on a German student visa. (Luckily for you, the job opportunities in Germany after graduation are good and the chances of international students getting employment are pretty high!) In this guide, we’ll take you through all of your options as a newly-graduated international student and let you know the steps to work in Germany after graduation. This will include how you can get a working visa in Germany if you need one. How do I find a job in Germany after graduating? How long does it take to find a job in Germany after graduation? How to increase your chances of getting a job in Germany after graduation? Working in Germany after graduation for EU students Working in Germany after graduation for non-EU students Seeking work in Germany after returning to your home country Can I stay & work in Germany when I complete my studies? Yes. If you want to stay in Germany after you’ve graduated, you can. You’re making a good decision to stay in Germany after your studies as we have the largest economy in Europe - so there’s no better place to start your career! If you arefrom non-EU and non-EEA countries and currently hold a residence permit in Germany, you can apply to have it extended for a further 18 months, which should be enough time for you to find a job. During this time, you can also look for temporary jobs to earn money until you find something more permanent. If you want to start preparing for employment, it’s time to start getting all of your documents (qualifications, residence permits, etc.) ready as you'll be asked to submit these during the interview process. You should also start working on your resume/CV that will showcase your skills, previous experience, and qualifications to prospective employers. If you already know what company you want to work for, you can look for jobs directly on their website - most companies will have a ‘Careers’ or ‘Jobs’ section where new jobs will be posted. You can also find jobs on online portals where lots of different companies will post positions they’re recruiting for. These portals are great because you can filter the results to only show positions that are relevant to the field you want to work in and your qualifications. Here are the most popular job portals in Germany:Working in Germany after graduation
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How do I find a job in Germany after graduating?
If you’re studying with us at CBS, we also organise careers fairs on campus so our students can network directly with companies they may be interested in working for. We regularly invite experts from the business world to present their companies and tell their own success stories. First-hand. How often do you get the opportunity to meet a respected founder personality anyway? Career Events are there for you to broaden your horizons, get ideas for your own future and perhaps even find inspiration for a thesis.
In addition, we have our own job portal theCBS CareerCenter where you can directly apply for part-time and full-time positions in Germany and Europe. Our Career Service advises our students on which internships, companies, and departments at home or abroad best match their qualifications and career goals as well as when and how they should apply. We also assist our students in evaluating offers, optimizing application documents, and giving them plenty of tips to prepare for job interviews.
Check out 22 tips for living in Germany as an international student
How long does it take to find a job in Germany after graduation?
The time it takes to find a job in Germany will depend on your skills and qualifications, as well as how much demand there is for in your field at the time you’re applying.
Normally jobs like business, marketing, health care practitioners, engineers, and IT specialists are more in-demand, so if you’re applying to these roles you can expect to find a job quicker.
Even if you’re not applying for jobs in these fields, you shouldn’t need to worry too much. In Germany, we have an aging population so there are always plenty of companies looking for recent graduates to recruit.
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How to increase your chances of getting a job in Germany?
If you want to make yourself more attractive to employers and get a job quicker as an international student, having a degree from a German university will help increase your chances of employment. If you’re looking to start a degree, you can take a look at the wide range of English-taught undergrad and graduate study programmes that we offer at CBS.
It also helps if you can speak some German. Even though there are many English-speaking jobs in Germany, having some German language skills will set you apart from other applicants and increase your chances of getting employed.
Here are some tips to learn German fast
At CBS we focus our study programmes around future employment for our students by integrating language classes into all courses, to help them improve their German skills by the time they graduate. We also integrate business projects where students experience working with big German companies.
We also have a great careers service on campus that gives our students advice and support when trying to find a job.
Working in Germany after graduation for EU students
If you’re planning to get a job in Germany after graduation and you’re from the EU (or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), you don’t need to obtain a work permit in order to find employment.
You’ll be in the same situation as German graduates when it comes to employment, working conditions, and taxes.
Working in Germany after graduation for non-EU students
If you want to find employment in Germany after your graduation and you’re not from an EU country, you don’t need to worry as there are a few different options you can choose from.
Your next steps will depend on whether you have a job offer from a German company at the time of your graduation.
We’ll take you through all of the different routes that are open to you, depending on your situation.
Graduating without a job offer
If you don’t have a job offer when you graduate, but still want to stay in Germany, you’ll need to extend your German residence permit. You’ll be allowed to extend this for a maximum of 18 months from the date of your final exam, which should give you plenty of time to find a job.
During the 18 months, you can also work any other job you’d like to get you by until you’re able to find permanent employment in the field of your studies.
To apply for an extension of your residence permit, you’ll need the following documents:
The visa extension form
ID and Passport
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Proof of graduation from a German university
Proof of your finances
Proof of health insurance
Accommodation Contract
When you get a job offer in the field related to the field of your studies that you would like to accept, you should apply for a German residence permit orEU Blue Card(similar to the US Green Card). You can remain in Germany while your application is pending.
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Graduating with a job offer
Once you’ve been offered a job, with a minimum of a 1-year contract, you can apply for either an EU Blue Card, or a German residence permit.
What is the EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is similar to the green card in the US. The EU Blue Card is a work- and residence permit for international students and professionals from non-EU/EEA countries.
To be eligible for an EU Blue Card you will need a degree from a German university and an employment contract with a company in Germany that pays at least €56,800 a year. In some fields that have a shortage of skilled workers, this may be €44,304 a year.
EU Blue Cards are normally issued for 4-year periods, but if your work contract is shorter than this, you will be issued a card for just the period of your contract - plus an additional 3 months.
How to apply for an EU Blue Card?
To obtain an EU Blue Card, you need to make an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) in your state and submit the following documents:
Copy of your passport
A recent passport-style photo of yourself
The application form
Declaration of Employment Relationship (which your employer fills out)
Employment contract or job offer
University certificate
Proof of residence in Germany
The Certificate of Evaluation (Zeugnisbewertung), if required
Occupation practice permit, if required
Proof of health insurance
When your application has been submitted, you have to wait for confirmation of your Blue Card before you start working.
Alternatively, if you find a job with a salary lower than €56,800, you can apply for a German residence permit, which would allow you to live and work only in Germany. Usually, it gets granted for 1 year with the possibility of extension if your situation doesn’t change.
When you apply for a temporary German residence permit, you have to state the reason you would like the permit (e.g. to work) and you will be allowed to do that, but you can’t engage with any activity outside of what your permit was granted for (that means that you can only work for the company stated in your work permit).
Most students will choose the EU Blue Card as it’s for a longer amount of time and will allow them to live and work not only in Germany but also in another EU state.
Once you’ve been a German resident for 33 months, you can then apply for a settlement permit which will let you settle permanently in Germany.
Seeking work in Germany after returning to your home country
If you’ve decided to go back home after graduation, you can still apply for jobs in Germany if you decide to come back. In this case, you can apply for a job seeker visa.
What is a job seeker visa?
A job seeker visa is a type of Germany work visa that allows people to stay in Germany for up to 6 months while they try to find employment.
What are the requirements to apply for a job seeker visa?
To be eligible for a job seeker visa, you must be over 18, have a degree from a German university, have 5 years of work experience in the field of your studies, proof of your financial stability, and travel or medical insurance for your entire stay in Germany.
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What are the required documents for a job seeker visa?
Like a student visa, you have to submit an application to the German embassy/consulate in your country with the following documents:
Printed and signed application forms
Copy of a valid passport
3 passport-format photos
Proof of health insurance
Proof of your finances (either in form of a blocked bank account or from a sponsor living in Germany)
Your CV and a cover letter
Diploma of your degree (or any other proof of academic qualification from a German or non-German university) as well as any certificates of previous work experience
Proof of accommodation in Germany
Confirmation of payment of visa fees (€75)
A Job Seeker Visa Germany cannot be extended over the 6 months. If you’re not able to find work within this time, you will, unfortunately, have to return home.
You are also not allowed to take on any employment while on a German Job Seeker Visa. Once you have found a job, you need to apply for a residence permit to gain employment.
Some companies may allow you to apply and go through the interview process without being in Germany. If this is the case, you can just apply for a residence permit or EU Blue Card once you have a job offer.
If you need to be in Germany to find a job, you should apply for a Job Seeker Visa which will allow you to stay in Germany for 6 months while looking for a job.
Check out all the reasons why Germany is the best place to study
Conclusion
If you have any questions about your future in Germany after graduating, please get in touch with our international office, career service or schedule an appointment with one of our friendly student advisors.
Check out all the regulations about working as an international student in Germany
Looking for an internship? Check out our complete guide on internships in Germany
Learn more about German student visas
FAQs
Is IT easy to get a job in Germany after graduation? ›
Because the job market in Germany is widely open for international students, especially those who graduated with master's degrees, they have golden opportunities as the country has a desirable job market for qualified workers due to its highly competitive companies.
Is IT easy to get job in Germany on job seeker visa? ›But not everyone needs this type of visa to search for employment in Germany. You will find out the details in no time. Obtaining a job seeker visa to Germany is not easy, you will have to be eligible and fulfil all the requirements and go through the application process with a lot of precision.
Is IT easy to get job in Germany after bachelors? ›Germany is one of the top countries for expats to work in. You can find jobs in various industries, from IT and Finance to Science and Law. The employment rate has been steadily increasing over the past few years, making it a great time to look for a job.
Is IT easy to find a job in Germany as a foreigner? ›Although it's possible to find a job in Germany with only speaking English, knowing German will skyrocket your chances. Of course, there are plenty of international job positions that only require the English language, but these tend to be more competitive, so speaking at least some German is a huge asset.
Can I convert my student visa to work visa in Germany? ›Staying in Germany after obtaining your degree
You are allowed to perform any job while searching for qualified employment. As soon as you have received a job offer, you can apply to have your residence permit for study purposes converted into a work permit for qualified professionals or into an EU Blue Card.
If you apply for a Blue Card, your salary must be at least 56,400€ per year (before taxes). If there is a shortage of skilled workers in your field, your salary must be at least 43,992€ per year. This list shows which fields have a shortage of skilled workers. If you can, find a job before you come to Germany.
Which country gives work visa easily? ›Germany. Germany is an easy country to get a work visa because of its labor shortage.
Which job is easy in Germany? ›- Electronics Engineer.
- Computer Science, IT professionals and Software Developers.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Account Managers / Business analysts.
- Civil Engineer / Architecht.
70%-90% Success rate / 100% for Engineers with 4 years BE/BS/BCS degree in any Cadre other than Civil Engineering. The Work Permit is extendable and transferable to Permanent Residence (PR) in Germany as per German Immigration Rules.
Which subject is best for job in Germany? ›- Medicine and Dentistry. ...
- Law. ...
- Industrial Engineering. ...
- Engineering: ...
- Business Management: ...
- Humanities: ...
- Maths and Computer Sciences: ...
- Fine and Applied Arts:
What is the highest paying part-time job in Germany? ›
- Research scholars.
- Research assistants/academic assistants.
- Support staff.
- Teaching English as an English tutor.
- Industrial production assistants.
With an unemployment rate of only 3.1%, Germany provides an average salary of 76,000-103,000 EUR/year (INR 66,27,743 to 89,82,336 per year) for master graduates.
How long does it take to get a German work visa? ›Applications take about 1-3 months to be processed. After the application has been approved by the Aliens' Authority and –if applicable- by the Work Office (Arbeitsagentur), the Embassy or Consulate General will issue a residence permit in the form of a visa, which will include the authorization to work in Germany.
Do I need to speak German to work in Germany? ›In short: yes, there are English-speaking jobs in Germany. Foreigners who look for jobs in tech startups or digital departments have a higher chance of finding work in Germany without speaking German.
Do German companies hire foreign workers? ›Germany is with a labour force of 45.5 million, including 3.5 million foreign employees, and with 1.9 million job vacancies the largest job market in Europe and one that is among the most open to foreign job seekers.
How many years visa does Germany give for students? ›Prospective student visas are valid for three months and can be extended by six months if you are accepted to a higher education institution or enrol in a foundation course or a preparatory German language course within this period.
How long can international students stay in Germany after graduation? ›If a qualified job is not yet available at the time of graduation, graduates can be granted a residence permit to seek employment §20 (3) no. 1 AufenthG (German Residence Act) in Germany. This entitles them to stay in Germany for up to 18 months.
Does German student visa get rejected? ›What are the chances of German student visa rejection? Ans. Despite having a 92% selection rate, German immigration officers might reject your visa based on the above-mentioned pointers. So ensure to avoid them regardless and not become a part of the Germany visa rejection rate percentage (8%.)
How much bank balance is required for Germany work visa? ›German embassies and consulates generally require that you provide a bank statement of an escrow/blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a balance of at least €720 for each month of the visa. For a six-month Job Seeker Visa, this is €4,320 (although this may vary depending on where you apply).
What is the age limit to work in Germany? ›There is no maximum age for an apprenticeship. As a German or a foreigner, you can apply for vocational training at practically any age. Traditionally, it is still common in Germany for apprentices to be of a younger age: most are between 15 and 25 years old.
What are the 4 types of visa? ›
Which type of visa do you need? Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
Which country gives Schengen visa easily? ›Lithuania. This country is the easiest one to get a Schengen visa. As per the reports, officials grant visas to almost 98.7% of applicants.
How much does a work visa cost in Germany? ›The cost for a German work permit (employment visa) is 75 EUR (90 USD). You will need to complete Germany's work permit visa (or employment permit) application form, called Antrag auf Erlaubnis einer Beschäftigung, and get a residence permit or Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels.
Which country in Europe is easiest to get a job? ›1. Germany. Germany has remained consistently at the top of many lists for the past three years, and rightly so. It sits at number 2 with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the whole of Europe, at 3.6%.
Which profession has shortage in Germany? ›According to this survey, skilled workers in the construction and skilled trades (349,275 jobs) and technical specialists (282,941 jobs) are currently the most in demand on the German labor market.
Which job is most demand in Germany? ›- Electronics Engineer.
- Computer Science, IT professionals and Software Developers.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Account Managers / Business analysts.
- Civil Engineer / Architect.
Cost of living in Berlin
Despite being the capital, Berlin is one of Germany's cheapest cities. Rental prices vary massively, but as a rule of thumb, the west remains much more expensive than the east. You can rent a one-bed flat in Berlin for €00 upwards.
You can get the permanent residence permit after 5 years in Germany with an employment visa. With this visa, you can bring your family with you through the Family Reunion Visa. To do so, you and the family members must fulfill the requirements for this type of visa.
How long does it take to get German work visa after interview? ›German visas take around 6–12 weeks to be processed from the time of an interview with the German consulate. This means you should start the process of your visa application around 4–5 months before your trip to Germany.
How long does it take to get job seeker approved? ›You can expect to hear from us within 21 days of submitting your claim. It's best to submit your claim as soon as possible after your circumstances change, or you stop getting another payment from us. This way there may be less time between your last payment from your employer and your first payment from us.
Which degree is best in Germany? ›
Engineering is by far the most popular and one of the best degrees to study in Germany, and it usually leads to an MS degree. Mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, and electrical engineering are among the engineering disciplines chosen by students.
Which company pays highest salary in Germany? ›German Firms with the Top Ten Highest-Paid Employees
Siemens (industrial) - €80,720. BASF (industrial) - €76,684. Robert Bosch (industrial) - €75,675. Bayer AG (industrial) - €70,630.
The minimum wage has been revised in Germany, with effect from 01 July 2022. The minimum wage has increased from €9.82 to €10.45 per hour. Note: This minimum wage increase might not reflect the inflationary trends.
How many hours is a full-time job in Germany? ›An average working week in Germany as a full-time employee is between 36 and 40 hours, with daily working weeks in Germany between seven and eight hours five days a week. Speaking for students, this means that you are allowed to work 2.5 hours per week in addition to your studies.
Which city in Germany has more job opportunities? ›Berlin - one of the economic hubs of the world
The capital city of Germany offers some of the best employment opportunities in Berlin. It is one of the economic hubs of the world and attracts a growing number of expats each year that come in search of better career options.
In Germany, graduates have the best chances of getting a job in the STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, as well as Medicine and Nursing. All professions from these disciplines are included in the shortage list of occupations in the German job market.
What is entry level salary in Germany? ›| Federal state | Starting salary (vocational qualification) | Starting salary (academic qualification) |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 28.546 euros | 43.725 euros |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 27.330 euros | 42.116 euros |
| Thuringia | 25.128 euros | 38.731 euros |
| Saxony | 24.691 euros | 38.192 euros |
The average management trainee gross salary in Germany is 41.879 € or an equivalent hourly rate of 20 €. In addition, they earn an average bonus of 1.495 €. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Germany.
Is it easy to get a job in Germany as a student? ›International students from other countries are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. They are not allowed to be self-employed or work as freelancers . Students who want to work more need permission from the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office).
Can I get a job before graduation in Germany? ›If a qualified job is not yet available at the time of graduation, graduates can be granted a residence permit to seek employment §20 (3) no. 1 AufenthG (German Residence Act) in Germany.
Does Germany give work permit after study? ›
During these 18 months, you are allowed to take up any type of job. Please note that this type of residence permit cannot be extended. The following requirements must be met in order to obtain a residence permit for 18 months: Proof of successfully completed studies.
Can I work after study in Germany? ›To find work related to their education, students can apply for an extended 18-month Job Seeking Visa, popularly known as a post-study work visa. This extra 18-month period is known as a post-study work permit in Germany.
How much do Germany pay per hour? ›| Date | Minimum wage (gross) |
|---|---|
| January 1 - June 30, 2021 | 9,50 euros per hour |
| July 1 - December 31, 2021 | 9,60 euros per hour |
| January 1 - June 30, 2022 | 9,82 euros per hour |
| July 1, 2022 onwards | 10,45 euros per hour |
- Research scholars.
- Research assistants/academic assistants.
- Support staff.
- Teaching English as an English tutor.
- Industrial production assistants.
An average working week in Germany as a full-time employee is between 36 and 40 hours, with daily working weeks in Germany between seven and eight hours five days a week. Speaking for students, this means that you are allowed to work 2.5 hours per week in addition to your studies.
Which job is easy in Germany? ›- Electronics Engineer.
- Computer Science, IT professionals and Software Developers.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Account Managers / Business analysts.
- Civil Engineer / Architecht.
With a huge range of professional opportunities and roles throughout Germany, securing a job isn't as hard as it may be in other countries around the world.
Which course is best for job in Germany? ›- International Horticulture. ...
- International Mechatronics. ...
- Distributed Software Systems (Master of Science) ...
- Materials Science. ...
- Mechatronics. ...
- Environmental Engineering. ...
- Computational Mechanics. ...
- Mechanical Engineering.
Yes. After you have completed your studies you can stay in Germany while you are looking for a job. Students from non-EU and non-EEA countries who hold a residence permit can apply to have it extended for another 18 months while they search for a job in Germany.
What happens to student visa after graduation in Germany? ›The moment you complete your studies, your student visa also expires however students can get 18 months of work visa after obtaining your German university degree. You need apply for this permit before your student visa runs out otherwise you will need to return to your home country.
Does German student visa get rejected? ›
What are the chances of German student visa rejection? Ans. Despite having a 92% selection rate, German immigration officers might reject your visa based on the above-mentioned pointers. So ensure to avoid them regardless and not become a part of the Germany visa rejection rate percentage (8%.)
How long is a student visa valid in Germany? ›Prospective student visas are valid for three months and can be extended by six months if you are accepted to a higher education institution or enrol in a foundation course or a preparatory German language course within this period.
Can I work in Germany with a language course visa? ›The visa or residence permit for language acquisition is issued for the duration of the language course and for a maximum of 12 months. During this time, you cannot obtain employment.
How much does a student earn in Germany? ›The classic among the part-time jobs is the minijob. You may earn up to 450 euros per month. With a minimum wage of 9.50 euros per hour (as of Jan. 2021), you have to work a maximum of around eleven hours per week or around 47 hours per month for this amount.