Working in Germany After Graduation: The 18-Month Job-Search Permit

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Germany gives non-EU graduates of its universities a residence permit to look for a job after the degree. It is one of the most generous post-study rules in Europe, but it is a one-off period: it cannot be extended once the maximum is used. This guide follows the Residence Act and the state and city service portals consulted in October 2026. Fees and waiting times differ between offices, so confirm them with your local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde).

Who it applies to

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can live and work in Germany without a permit, so this guide is for students from other countries who hold a residence permit for study. How to get that permit is explained in the student visa guide for Germany.

What the law says

Section 20 of the Residence Act, titled job search following stays in the federal territory, says that a foreign national is granted a residence permit to look for work after successfully completing a course of study in Germany under the study provisions of sections 16b or 16c. The main conditions are:

• your subsistence must be secured
• the permit is issued for up to 18 months
• an extension beyond these periods is excluded

The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern service portal adds that the 18 months run directly after your studies, and that if you did not use the whole period the first time, the permit can be extended up to the 18-month maximum. If you do not find a job within the period, you must leave Germany. The same portal says that the permit allows work without restriction. Ask your office whether anything is noted on your card.

What you submit

The state portal lists a valid passport, proof of secure means of subsistence, proof of health insurance, your degree certificate or a transcript confirming completion, and a biometric photo. The Munich city page lists similar documents and adds a landlord's confirmation or rent statements as proof of housing costs, and says that you must first register your address with the citizens' office. For subsistence, both pages accept bank statements and a commitment declaration, and Munich also names a scholarship certificate or a part-time employment contract. Your office may ask for more, so check its page before the appointment.

Fees and timing

• Where: at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence. The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern portal says you apply in person and not online. The Munich page says you apply online or by post and then receive an appointment, so procedures differ.
• When: before your current permit expires. The state portal recommends applying four to six weeks in advance.
• Fee: the state portal names EUR 93 to 96 and the Munich page EUR 100 for adults.
• Processing time: the state portal quotes about five to six weeks and the Munich page up to six months. Because of this spread, apply as early as the office allows.

After you find a job

When you have an offer for qualified employment, or plan to be self-employed or freelance, you apply for a residence permit for gainful employment, which the Munich page calls a change of purpose. The requirements depend on the job type, so ask the authority which permit fits your offer before you sign a contract. The Munich page also notes that after graduating in Germany this job-search permit generally fits better than the opportunity card, which would give only one year.

Practical plan

1. In your last semester, note the expiry date of your permit and ask your university when it can issue proof of completion.
2. Check your health insurance. See health insurance for students in Germany for what changes after graduation.
3. Prepare evidence of funds and your address registration.
4. Book the appointment early, because offices can take weeks.
5. Search for jobs in your field and keep records of applications.

Where to look next

• Student visa for Germany
• How much it costs to study in Germany: our catalogue lists 4,435 programmes at 354 institutions

Official sources

• Residence Act, section 20 (Gesetze im Internet)
• Service portal: residence permit to look for a job after studies (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
• City of Munich: residence permit for job search

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.