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Job Seeker Visa, Section 20 Residence Act
All important information from an immigration lawyer on applying for a Job Seeker visa.
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About this Page
what the Jobseeker Visa is and what the difference is to the Opportunity Card
the requirements for the Job Seeker Visa
How to apply for a Jobseeker Visa after termination
How to apply for a jobseeker visa after graduation
Table of Contents
1. What is a jobseeking visa (Germany)?
2. Apply for a jobseeking visa from abroad
2.1 Requirements for Jobseeking Visa Germany 2024
2.2 Recognition as a skilled worker
2.3 Livelihood
2.4 Further general requirements
2.5 Jobseeker visa application process
2.6 Required documents for Jobseeker Visa Germany
2.7 Appointment booking and visa interview
3. Jobseeker Visa after termination of the employment contract
4. Jobseeking Visa after completing your studies in Germany
5. FAQ Job-Seeker Visa
6. Conclusion
1. What is a jobseeking visa (Germany)?
The Job Seeker Visa (also known as a "job seeker visa" or "job search visa for skilled workers") is a residence permit for Germany that allows skilled workers to enter Germany and stay here for the purpose of seeking employment ( Section 20 of the Residence Act ). The visa is also ideal for bridging periods of short-term unemployment (e.g., a job seeker visa after graduation or after termination of an employment contract). In fact, the Job Seeker Visa is much more commonly applied for in Germany in the form of a residence permit than in other countries in the form of a visa.
In many countries, an employment contract is a prerequisite for long-term residence for foreign nationals. In Germany, however, legal residence is possible under certain conditions even without an employment contract . However, a person's livelihood must still be secured (see the VISAGUARD guide to applying for a residence permit ). Residence is therefore generally only possible if the person has the financial means to support themselves for several months without a job.
The Job Searching Visa exists in several variants:
Job-seeking visa for skilled workers with (German) academic degrees
Job-seeking visa for skilled workers with (German) vocational training
Job-seeking visa for foreign scientists (in Germany)
Job search with the Opportunity Card (from June 1, 2024).
As can be seen from the list, the Job Seeker Visa is only issued to foreign nationals with German qualifications . Foreign nationals (including skilled foreign nationals) must now apply for the so-called "Opportunity Card" to find a job. We have written a separate VISAGUARD guide on the Opportunity Card.
Job-seeker visas have different requirements depending on whether the visa is applied for from abroad (e.g., from India or Pakistan) or from within the country (e.g., after completing studies or after termination of an employment contract), and the applicant's qualifications. The most relevant scenarios for job-seeker visas in practice are presented below.
2. Apply for a jobseeking visa from abroad
The legal framework originally envisaged for applying for a residence permit to seek employment from abroad is the Job Seeker Visa . Skilled workers (particularly those in the IT sector) are to be given the opportunity to immigrate to Germany without having already signed an employment contract abroad.
2.1 Requirements for Jobseeking Visa Germany 2024
In order to apply for a job-searching visa from abroad (e.g. as an IT specialist from India or Pakistan), two main requirements must be met: You must be a skilled worker (i.e. have a recognized (German) professional or (German) academic qualification) and you must be able to secure your livelihood for the duration of your stay in Germany ( Section 5 of the Residence Act ).
2.2 Recognition as a skilled worker
Until the introduction of the Opportunity Card, applying for a Job Seeker visa required that your qualifications be recognized in Germany. This requirement is no longer applicable, as the Job Seeker visa can only be applied for with a German qualification ( Section 20 of the Residence Act ). Logically, German qualifications do not require Anabin recognition.
2.3 Livelihood
Another requirement for applying for a Jobseeker Visa for Germany is that you are able to secure your livelihood ( Section 5 of the Residence Act ). Specifically, this means that you must have sufficient financial resources to stay in Germany for several months. Therefore, with a Jobseeker Visa, you cannot provide proof of livelihood through an employment contract, as you are not yet employed. Livelihood must be secured for the entire period for which the visa is applied for. To calculate the amount of money required for this, you must first determine your monthly needs and then multiply this by the number of months you intend to stay. Monthly needs generally include at least the following expenses:
Rent
Health insurance
Standard benefit rate (approx. 600 euros per month)
So, for example, if you need 1,500 euros per month for these costs and want to stay in Germany for six months with a jobseeking visa, you must provide evidence of savings of at least 9,000 euros when submitting your application (1,500 euros per month x 6 months).
2.4 Further general requirements
Finally, the general visa requirements must also be met. These include, among others, the following:
valid passport available,
no criminal record,
no interest in deportation.
2.5 Jobseeker visa application process
If you meet the general requirements, you can apply for a visa at the embassy responsible for your area. Which embassy is responsible for your application depends primarily on where you live (see our VISAGUARD guide to visa applications ). For example, if you live in India, you can enter your district on the website of the German Embassies in India to find out which embassy is responsible for your district.
2.6 Required documents for Jobseeker Visa Germany
You can then find out from the website of the respective embassy which documents are required for the application for a job-seeking visa and in what form these documents must be presented (see, for example, the information sheet of the German Embassy in India on applying for a job-seeking visa ).
As a rule, at least the following documents are required:
passport
VIDEX form
2 biometric passport photos
Copies of the passport data page
(German) professional qualification certificate or university degree certificate
Proof of livelihood (e.g. blocked account or declaration of commitment)
CV
Proof of health insurance
References from previous employers (if available)
Professional license (if necessary)
The required documents vary depending on the country and embassy . For example, embassies in India often require additional documents such as proof of accommodation (e.g., an invitation letter or rental agreement), a birth certificate, and a letter of motivation. It is therefore advisable to follow the guidelines on the respective embassy website. If in doubt, you can also book an initial consultation with an immigration lawyer through VISAGUARD .
2.7 Appointment booking and visa interview
If you have the necessary documents for applying for a Jobseeking Visa, you can book an appointment online (see, for example, here for the RK visa from the German Embassy in India/New Delhi ). During the appointment, your documents will be reviewed for completeness, and you will be required to submit your biometric data and pay the fee . In cases where the applicant must provide proof of German language skills, the embassy staff member may also conduct a brief interview to assess your language skills.
If the documents and information are complete, the embassy will decide on your application for a job seeker visa. The embassy has a certain degree of discretion in its decision-making when checking the legality and plausibility. A positive decision is therefore not guaranteed even with complete documents. Processing usually takes several weeks or months . From a legal perspective, the immigration authorities have up to three months to decide on the application for a job seeker visa ( Section 75 of the Administrative Court Code (VwGO )). After three months, the applicant can file a so-called action for failure to act with the administrative court in Berlin with the help of a visa lawyer . This usually reduces the processing time considerably.
Once your application has been decided, you will receive the visa. This visa will then allow you to enter Germany.
3. Jobseeker Visa after termination of the employment contract
A job-searching visa is also often applied for to bridge a short period of unemployment (e.g., after termination of employment, after signing a termination agreement, or when changing employers). Here, too, proof of financial security is required to apply for a residence permit after termination of the employment contract. For example, if you want to apply for a job-searching visa for six months after termination of your employment contract, you must provide proof of financial resources for approximately six months (so-called financial security).
For further information on securing your livelihood, please see our guide to applying for a residence permit .
Unlike the Jobseeker Visa, you do not need to apply for a residence permit to seek employment after termination of your employment contract at the embassy, but rather at your local immigration office . The website of the relevant immigration office will inform you about the required documents and the application process (see, for example, the guide on applying for a Jobseeker Visa on the website of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin ).
When applying for a job-searching visa after termination of the contract in Berlin, the following documents must usually be submitted:
Application form for a residence permit in Berlin (PDF)
Registration certificate from Berlin
valid passport
biometric photo
(German) professional qualification certificate or university certificate
Proof of health insurance
Proof of financial stability
References from previous employers (if available)
Professional license (if necessary)
You can submit your application by email to your responsible clerk or via the online service of the Immigration Office in Berlin.
4. Jobseeking Visa after completing your studies in Germany
Another situation in which a job-seeking visa can be applied for in Germany is the job search after completing a degree in Germany . Compared to other types of job-seeking visas, the job-seeker visa after completing a degree in Germany offers significant advantages. These are the following:
the Jobseeking Visa is granted for up to 18 months (instead of six),
any gainful activity (including self-employment and freelancing) is permitted,
the qualification does not have to be recognised by a certificate assessment,
the foreigner is entitled to be granted a job-searching visa (normally the immigration authorities have discretion).
These advantages mean that the Jobseeking Visa after completing a degree in Germany is very popular and is applied for by many foreigners.
Once you have successfully completed your studies, you must submit your application directly to the immigration authority responsible for you. The authority responsible is determined by your place of residence and can be determined using the authority finder provided by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) (determining jurisdiction) .
As a rule, at least the following documents are required to apply for a Jobseeker Visa after completing your studies:
Application form for a residence permit
Registration certificate
valid passport
biometric photo
Certificate of university degree
Proof of health insurance
Proof of financial security (e.g. bank statements)
Depending on the authority and the clerk, additional documents may be required. Further information on applying for a Jobseeker Visa after completing a degree in Germany can be found on the Berlin Immigration Office's (LEA) website for job-seeking visas. While the information only applies to the state of Berlin, it has a certain general validity, as the LEA is the largest immigration authority in Germany.
5. FAQ (Jobseeker Visa)
Is the Opportunity Card the same as the Job Seeker Visa?
No, the Opportunity Card is different from the Job Seeker Visa.
What is the difference between an Opportunity Card and a Job Seeker Visa?
The main difference between the Opportunity Card and the Job Seeker Visa is that, since the last reform, the Job Seeker Visa can only be applied for by people who have been trained in Germany.
What do I have to do after being fired as a foreigner?
As a foreigner, you usually have to inform the immigration authorities and the Federal Employment Agency after you are dismissed.
Do I have to provide a living wage for the Job Seeker Visa and the Opportunity Card?
Yes, in order to apply for the JSV and the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) you must secure your livelihood ( Section 5 Paragraph 1 No. 1 AufenthG ).
6. Conclusion
The Jobseeker Visa represents an important opportunity for qualified professionals to legally seek employment in Germany after completing their studies or training . It is aimed exclusively at individuals with a university or vocational qualification obtained in Germany and is designed to bridge short-term employment gaps and facilitate entry into the job market after graduation. Proof of financial independence throughout the entire planned stay is crucial for the application. Careful preparation, a thorough review of the requirements, and, if necessary, legal advice significantly increase the chances of a successful application.
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List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] Kluth/Heusch, BeckOK, Aliens Law, 3rd edition 2025, § 20
[2] Bergmann / Dienelt, Aliens Law, 15th edition 2025, § 20
[3] Regarding the (denied) possibility of multiple Job-Seeker Visas upon completion of several study courses, see VG Aachen, decision of 02.12.2013 - 4 L 217/13