Germany || Employment

While pursuing the course
Foreign students  are permitted to work 90 whole days per year or 180 half-days. In addition to this, foreign students are permitted to work as student assistants at a university. In order to undertake any other work, a foreign student must apply to the appropriate office for a work permit (the Foreign Nationals’ Authority and the Employment office - “Arbeitsamt”). Such a permit will be issued only if it is clear that the work proposed will not substantially affect a person’s studies.

On completion of the course
The new Immigration Act has been in force in Germany since 1 January 2005 . For international students who have completed their studies in Germany, i.e. graduated, the act states: After ending your studies, you can extend your stay and spend up to one year looking for a job in Germany that is appropriate to your qualifications. Highly-qualified foreigners who have a job offer in Germany, can receive a (permanent) Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) without the need for any labour market checks or the approval of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).