How much am I allowed to work under my visa? How do I extend my visa?
Many riders do not come from Germany or a country in the European Union, but from so-called third countries. They need a residence permit to stay in Germany for a longer period of time – for example, a visa or a residence permit. Depending on their status, they are allowed to work in Germany for varying amounts of time.
I have a student visa
-
1. How much am I allowed to work as a student in Germany?
Working regulations for international students in Germany:
140/280-Days
- A maximum of 140 full days or 280 half days may be worked per calendar year.
- A ‘half day’ generally corresponds to up to 4 hours of work.
- Exceptions: Compulsory internships as part of your studies and work as a research assistant or student assistant (HiWi).
Hours per week
- During the semester: maximum 20 hours per week in order to maintain student status.
- Outside of lecture periods (semester holidays), more work is possible as long as the yearly limit is not exceeded.
-
2. How do I renew my residence permit (visa) for studying?
Visas for international students:
- International students from non-EU/EEA countries must renew their residence permits regularly. To do so, you will need your certificate of enrolment, registration certificate, valid health insurance and renewed proof of financial support. Your studies will also be checked to ensure that they are progressing as required.
- Further information can be found on the website of the German Student Services Organisation/ Deutsches Studierendenwerk.
-
3. Can I still work after completing my studies?
Do you want to work in Germany after completing your studies?
- After successfully completing their studies, the residence permit for job seekers can be extended for up to 18 months. During this period, graduates are permitted to work without restriction.
Other visas
-
4. Work and other visas/residence status.
For questions about other visas/residence status and your employment opportunities:
- Please contact a qualified advice centre. There are numerous free services available in Berlin. Further information can be found at: 6. Where can I find advice on residence permits/visas?
-
5. I would like to change my visa.
You want to change your visa?
- For example, from a student visa to a work visa or reverse?
- Contact the Advisory Center for Migration and Good Work/ Berliner Beratungszentrum für Migration und Gute Arbeit (BEMA)!
ADVICE ON RESIDENCE/VISAS
-
6. Where can I find advice on residence permits/visas?
Do you need advice about your residence/visa?
All of the advice centres listed will treat your information as strictly confidential and will not pass it on to any authorities (including the immigration office)!
Advice centres specifically for migrants under the age of 27 (throughout Germany and Berlin):
- Young migrants under the age of 27 can contact the Jugendmigrationsdienste (throughout Germany and Berlin).
Advice centres for adults/for all migrants (throughout Germany and Berlin):
- You can find migration counselling for adult immigrants at Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE) (Germany and Berlin).
- Multilingual support for advice on residency can be found at the AWO Begegnungszentrum (Berlin).
- You can also find advice on migration in Berlin at the Migrationssozialdienste (Berlin).
- You can find advice on asylum and residence at KuB (Berlin).
- Advice from the Welcom Center/Willkommenszentrum Berlin.
- The Berliner Zentrum für Migration und Gute Arbeit (BEMA) provides advice on visas and employment relationships (Berlin).
