Working in Münster?

The opportunities available in Münster ensure that you can take up paid employment in many different areas. However, in order to find a suitable job, it may be necessary to conduct job interviews and to seek direct contact with possible employers.

If you are not a German citizen or a citizen of an EU member state, your stay in Germany is governed by the German Residence Act (AufenthG).

The following pages thus contain a summary of the requirements stipulated by the German Residence Act in connection with the granting and extension of a residence permit for the purposes of seeking employment.

If you have already completed your studies in Germany, you can find more information here.

If you have completed qualified vocational training in Germany, you can find more information on seeking subsequent employment here.

If you are currently in Germany for research purposes and your research activity is coming to an end, you can find further information on seeking subsequent employment here.

If you are staying in Germany for the recognition of your professional qualification completed abroad, you can find further information on seeking subsequent employment here.

If you are staying in Germany for the purpose of employment and are now planning to stay to look for a job due to the termination of your recent employment contract, you will find important information about your stay below.

If you have a university degree or a professional qualification or have professional experience, are currently staying in your home country and would like to enter Germany to look for a job or to seek a measure to recognize your professional qualification, please contact the German diplomatic mission abroad for information regarding the Issuance of a visa.

Please bring the following with you…

If you wish to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment ("Opportunity Card"), please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):

• Your valid passport
• A current passport photo
• A completed application form
• Proof that you are able to cover your living expenses: Blocked account or letter of intent according to Section 68 AufenthG (German Residence Act)
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of qualified vocational training (e.g. certificate of completion)
• Fee: up to € 100.00

Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.

Please note: An appointment is required for the granting and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.

Period of validity of the residence permit

A residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment is usually granted for a period of up to twelve months.

After the maximum period of stay for this purpose has expired and if you do not yet meet the requirements for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker but have an employment contract for employment as a skilled worker, you can apply for a follow-up opportunity card for a maximum of two years. If you have not met the necessary requirements within this time and do not fulfill any other purpose of your stay according to the Residence Act, you will generally have to leave the federal territory.

Re-entry to look for a job is possible if you have stayed abroad for at least as long after leaving the country as you previously stayed in Germany to look for a job with the opportunity card.

 

Change in purpose of stay

If you have found a suitable job, you can change your purpose of stay to that of a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker or a measure for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification.

Furthermore, changing the purpose of stay is also possible if you fulfill the requirements, e.g. vocational training or family reunification.

Paid employment

This residence permit allows you to perform probationary employment for up to two weeks per week each, if it is qualified, aims at starting vocational training or is suitable for being accepted as part of a measure for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. You are also allowed to have a secondary job for an average of a maximum of 20 hours per week.

No paid employment is permitted beyond this.