What this permit is
After you finish your degree in Germany, you do not have to leave straight away. Non-EU graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for qualified employment. This is the job-seeker permit under Section 20 of the Residence Act, and it is one of the main reasons students choose Germany.
The permit cannot be renewed, so the 18 months is a fixed window. Plan how you will use it before it starts. Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not need a permit to live and work in Germany.
What you need to apply
The official Make it in Germany guide lists three requirements:
- Proof that you completed your studies successfully
- Proof of health insurance cover
- Proof that you can secure your livelihood during the search
The documents your foreigners authority wants can differ, so contact it before you apply. Some authorities publish their document lists online. Apply before your current study permit expires, so there is no gap in your status.
What you can do during the 18 months
During the search you may take up any type of job. That means you can cover your costs with work that is not in your field while you look for something qualified, and there is no hour limit stated in the official guide.
Use the time to apply widely and to build a record of work in Germany. A part-time or short-term job can help your income and your German, but keep your main aim in view, which is a qualified job that lets you switch to a work permit.
Finding a job and switching permits
When you find a job, you can apply for a residence permit for qualified employment or an EU Blue Card. The job does not have to match your degree, except for the Blue Card, which needs a job at the level of your qualification. If you work in a regulated profession, you need a licence to practise.
For the switch you need proof of completed studies, proof of health insurance, and a concrete job offer. A part-time job can qualify if the expected salary covers your living costs. The foreigners authority makes the final decision on which residence title applies, so ask it for advice when you apply.
Choosing between the Blue Card and the work visa
If your job pays at or above the Blue Card threshold and matches your degree, the EU Blue Card has the best terms, including a faster route to permanent residence. If your job does not meet the threshold, or does not match your degree, the work visa for qualified professionals may suit you better. Our guides on both explain the rules.
Recent graduates can also benefit from the lower Blue Card threshold. The official portal applies 45.3% of the pension insurance ceiling to academic graduates who finished their degree less than three years ago.
Planning your 18 months
A simple plan helps. In the first month, update your CV for the German market, check that your health insurance is in place, and list the employers and sectors you are targeting. In the following months, apply steadily, and note down which applications need your degree recognised or a licence.
Keep proof of your savings or income, because the foreigners authority may ask you to show that you can support yourself. If you receive a job offer, send it to the authority early so it can tell you which permit fits and what documents it needs.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not wait until the last week of your study permit to apply. Foreigners authorities can be busy, and you want your status to continue without a gap.
Do not assume the permit can be extended. The official guide says it is not renewable, so a job offer has to arrive inside the 18 months if you want to stay.
Do not let your health insurance lapse when you stop being a student. You need proof of cover for this permit, and again for the switch to a work permit.
Do not accept a job before you know which permit it fits. Ask the foreigners authority early, because it makes the final decision on which residence title applies, and a job that looks fine on paper may not meet the rules for a Blue Card or for qualified employment.
If you studied elsewhere
This permit is for graduates of German study. If you studied outside Germany and want to look for work, the Opportunity Card is the route to look at. See our guide for the points system and the rules.
Common questions
Can I extend the 18 months?
No. The official guide says the permit is not renewable. If you find a job before it ends, you switch to a work permit.
Can I work any job during the search?
Yes. The official guide says you may take up any type of job during the 18 months.
Does the job have to match my degree?
For a residence permit for qualified employment, no, except in regulated professions. For the EU Blue Card, yes, the job must be at the level of your qualification.
When should I apply?
Before your study permit expires. Ask your foreigners authority for its document list first.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often. We last checked it on 31 October 2026, so please confirm the details on the official page before you apply.