Germany Explains How Long Foreign Students Can Stay on a Student Residence Permit
Germany has revealed the rules under which foreign students can stay in the country, including how long their residence permits are valid and what happens when they graduate.
According to German official data, residence permits awarded for research reasons are normally valid for two years.
Students who have not completed their degrees within that time frame can petition to renew their permit for another two years.
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Work while studying in Germany
International students can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year while attending university.
Alternatively, they could work up to 20 hours per week. There is no temporal limit on how long students can work part-time alongside their study.
What happens after graduation in Germany?
Students who finish their degrees are not forced to leave Germany immediately.
They can apply for a job-seeker residence permit under Section 20 (1) No. 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), which will allow them to stay in Germany for up to 18 months while looking for skilled work.
During this job-search time, graduates can work in any occupation. Once they have secured a qualified post, they can seek to convert their residence permit into a skilled worker residence permit or an EU Blue Card, both of which allow for a longer period of legal stay in Germany.
The material is part of a bigger handbook maintained by the German government for foreign students and skilled workers thinking about moving to Germany.
How much for Opportunity Card Eligibility
Meanwhile, Germany has revealed the minimum amount of money a foreigner must have in a blocked account to be eligible for the Opportunity Card, creating renewed interest among those considering traveling to the European country for employment.