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Germany Job Seeker Visa: Find Work on a 6-Month Permit

2026-06-20

Learn the Germany job seeker visa requirements, proof of funds, the 6-month search window, and how to convert it into a work permit.

Germany Job Seeker Visa: Find Work on a 6-Month Permit

If you hold a recognized degree and dream of building a career in Germany, the Germany job seeker visa gives you a legal six-month window to land a job on the ground. Unlike applying for roles from abroad, this permit lets you attend interviews in person, network locally, and prove your commitment to German employers. This guide walks you through every requirement, cost, and step needed to turn your job search into a long-term work permit.

What Is the Germany Job Seeker Visa?

The Germany job seeker visa (officially the "Visum zur Arbeitsplatzsuche") is a long-stay national visa that allows qualified professionals from non-EU countries to enter Germany and look for employment for up to six months. It does not permit you to start working immediately—it is purely a search permit. Once you receive a job offer matching your qualifications, you convert it into a work visa or EU Blue Card without leaving the country.

This route is ideal if you:

• Hold a university degree or vocational qualification recognized in Germany
• Want to attend in-person interviews and explore cities before committing
• Have enough savings to support yourself during the search

Citizens of countries like India, the Philippines, South Africa, and Nigeria commonly use this pathway. Note that nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, and a few other states can enter visa-free and apply for a residence permit after arrival, so they often skip this visa entirely.

Germany Job Seeker Visa Requirements

The German missions abroad and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit set clear eligibility criteria. Meeting them carefully is the difference between approval and rejection.

Recognized Degree or Qualification

Your foreign degree must be either:

• Listed in the anabin database (run by the Kultusministerkonferenz) as equivalent to a German degree, or
• Officially recognized through a Zeugnisbewertung issued by the ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen)

You can check your university and degree status for free at anabin.kmk.org. If your institution is rated "H+", your degree is generally accepted. A Zeugnisbewertung costs around €200 and takes several weeks, so apply early.

Proof of Funds

You must show you can financially support yourself for the entire stay without working. As of 2024, the benchmark is roughly €1,091 per month, meaning about €6,546 for six months. You can prove this through:

• A blocked account (Sperrkonto) with the required balance
• A formal Verpflichtungserklärung (declaration of commitment) from a sponsor in Germany
• Bank statements showing sufficient personal savings

A Sperrkonto with providers such as Fintiba, Expatrio, or Deutsche Bank is the most reliable proof for consular officers.

Health Insurance

You need valid travel or expat health insurance covering your entire stay in Germany. Standard travel policies from providers like DR-WALTER (Care Concept), Mawista, or Hanse Merkur typically cost €30–€60 per month and are widely accepted for the application.

Other Documents

Prepare a complete file including:

• Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond your stay)
• Two recent biometric photos
• Completed national visa application form
• Cover letter explaining your career plan and search strategy
• CV in European format and reference letters
• Recognized degree certificates and transcripts
• Proof of accommodation for at least the first weeks
• Visa fee payment receipt (currently €75)

The 6-Month Search Window: How It Works

Once your visa is approved, the clock starts the day you enter Germany. You have a maximum of six months to find a suitable position—and you cannot extend it. Here is how to make the most of that window.

Plan Your Arrival and Anmeldung

Within two weeks of finding a permanent address, you must complete your Anmeldung (address registration) at the local Bürgeramt. Cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg often have waiting times for appointments, so book online immediately. Your Anmeldung certificate (Meldebescheinigung) is needed for nearly every official step, including opening a regular bank account and signing a job contract.

Run an Active Job Search

Six months passes quickly. Use these channels:

• Bundesagentur für Arbeit job portal (arbeitsagentur.de)
• StepStone, Indeed.de, LinkedIn, and XING
• Industry-specific portals and recruitment agencies
• Career fairs in major cities and direct company applications
• The Make it in Germany official portal for shortage occupation listings

Focus on roles that match your qualification level, since the work permit conversion depends on the job fitting your degree.

Important Limits During the Search

Remember that the job seeker visa does not allow you to work full-time. You may, however, undertake trial work (Probearbeit) of up to ten hours per week to demonstrate your skills to a potential employer. Treat the period as a focused professional search, not a working stay.

Converting Your Visa into a Work Permit

This is the goal of the whole process. Once you receive a qualifying job offer, you apply to switch your status from inside Germany—no need to return home.

Step-by-Step Conversion

1. Secure a written job offer or signed employment contract matching your qualification.
2. Book an appointment at your local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office) well before your visa expires.
3. Gather your documents: passport, current visa, Anmeldung, job contract, salary details, degree recognition, health insurance, and biometric photos.
4. Attend the appointment and submit your application for a work residence permit or EU Blue Card.
5. Pay the fee, typically around €100, and receive a provisional document (Fiktionsbescheinigung) while your card is produced.

EU Blue Card vs. Standard Work Permit

If your job offer meets a minimum gross salary threshold—around €45,300 per year in 2024 (or about €41,041 for shortage occupations like IT, engineering, and medicine)—you qualify for the EU Blue Card. This offers faster permanent residence:

• Permanent residence after 27 months with basic German (A1)
• Permanent residence after 21 months with B1 German

A standard work permit applies when your salary is below the Blue Card threshold but the job still matches your qualification. It leads to permanent residence after roughly four years.

Costs Overview

Budget realistically before you apply. Approximate total costs include:

• Visa application fee: €75
• Sperrkonto deposit: €6,546 (returned to you in monthly installments after arrival)
• Health insurance: €180–€360 for six months
• Degree recognition (Zeugnisbewertung): up to €200
• Flights and initial accommodation: highly variable, often €1,000–€2,000
• Work permit conversion fee: around €100

The largest figure—the blocked account—is your own money that you receive back gradually, not a fee.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many applications fail or stall over avoidable errors. Watch out for these:

• Skipping degree verification. Not checking your degree in anabin before applying is the top reason for rejection. Confirm your "H+" status first.
• Underestimating proof of funds. Showing exactly the minimum can raise doubts. Keep a comfortable buffer above €6,546.
• Buying the wrong insurance. Some cheap policies exclude pre-existing conditions or have low coverage limits. Choose a recognized expat or travel plan.
• Delaying the Anmeldung. Without registration, you cannot complete most conversion steps. Book it on day one.
• Working illegally. Taking unauthorized paid work during the search can lead to deportation and future bans.
• Waiting too long to book the Ausländerbehörde appointment. Slots in big cities fill up fast—apply weeks before your visa expires, not days.
• Applying for jobs below your qualification. The permit conversion requires the role to match your degree level, so aim accordingly.

Conclusion

The Germany job seeker visa is one of the most practical routes for qualified professionals who want to test the German market firsthand before committing to a long-term move. With a recognized degree, proof of funds around €1,091 per month, valid health insurance, and a focused six-month search, you can realistically convert your stay into a stable work permit or EU Blue Card. Take time to prepare your documents carefully, verify your qualifications early, and plan your job hunt strategically.

Ready to start your journey to Germany? Explore GoGermany's step-by-step guides and checklists to prepare your application with confidence.

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