How long is the post-graduation job-search permit (§ 20) valid in Germany?

If you have successfully completed a degree in Germany, you can get a residence permit to look for a job for up to 18 months (§ 20 (1) no. 1 AufenthG). It cannot be extended beyond 18 months. It is often called a "job-seeker visa", but it is actually a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) issued by the Ausländerbehörde in Germany.

#Who is eligible?

• Graduates who studied in Germany on a student residence permit (§ 16b) or under student mobility (§ 16c) — Bachelor's, Master's or doctorate alike.
• If you meet the requirements, the permit is granted — it is an entitlement, not a discretionary decision.
• It does not apply to degrees earned in Türkiye or elsewhere abroad. For those, other routes exist, e.g. the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, since 01.06.2024, at least 6 points on the points path).

#Requirements

• Proof that you have successfully completed your studies
• Secured livelihood (Lebensunterhalt)
• Other documents your local Ausländerbehörde asks for (passport, proof of health insurance, etc. — check the local list)

#When to apply

Apply before your student permit expires. If you do, your current permit is deemed to continue until the authority decides, and you receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung (§ 81 (4) AufenthG). A late application does not trigger this automatically.

#Working during the search

§ 20 itself contains no employment restriction, so you can generally work during this period. Confirm the note (Nebenbestimmung) on your card with the Ausländerbehörde.

#When you find a job — or time runs out

Once you find a qualified job, you apply to switch to a work-based residence permit (e.g. skilled-worker permit or EU Blue Card); salary thresholds change every year, so check the current figure with an official source. When the 18 months end and you do not meet the requirements for another permit, the permit expires. If you plan a longer stay abroad, ask the Ausländerbehörde first.

Source: § 20 AufenthG · § 81 AufenthG