Arbeitserlaubnis für ausländische Studierende (nicht EU / EWR)

• § 16b Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) – Studium
• § 16e AufenthG – Studienbezogenes Praktikum EU
• Verordnung über die Beschäftigung von Ausländerinnen und Ausländern (Beschäftigungsverordnung, BeschV)

If you are a foreign citizen studying in Germany, your studies are of course the main purpose of your stay. In order to finance your studies, as a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you may work without authorisation for a maximum of 140 days per calendar year (alternatively 280 half days). The pursuit of part-time student employment at the university or at another academic institution is possible without time restrictions and without authorisation.

Authorised employment is only subject to the time limit of 140 days per calendar year (working day account). The immigration authority does not check the type of employment or the working conditions.

The crediting of actual employment alongside the studies can be done in different ways:

• either as half a working day for each day on which the working time is up to four hours, otherwise as a full working day or with two and a half working days per calendar week:
  
  • a) during the lecture period, if performed for up to 20 hours per calendar week, and
  • b) outside the lecture period, irrespective of the distribution of working hours.

In principle, the student has the option of choosing the billing options. A combination of the different working time models is also possible in the calendar year. The student does not have to declare their choice to the Immigration Office. Only in the event of a review whether the working day account has been exceeded will a calculation be made on the basis of a reasonable exercise of the student's right to decide.
For longer-term employment (including internships) - whether paid or unpaid - students from so-called third countries always require authorisation from the responsible immigration authority before starting work, and if necessary also the approval of the employment agency.

Longer-term employment (over 140 days) can only be authorised as part-time work if it does not change the purpose of your stay, which is limited to your studies, and does not make your studies more difficult or longer.

Please note! Do not start working until you have been authorised to do so. The regulations for foreign students are very strict. You can be expelled if you violate them!

Residence permit for study purposes

• You have a residence permit to study.
• The scope of your employment will exceed the quota of 140 days (or 280 half days).

Note: No restrictions apply to:

• Nationals of an EU member state
• Nationals of a contracting state of the European Economic Area (EU states and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
• Citizens of Switzerland

The following applies to study-related internships:

• You are enrolled at a foreign university or graduated no more than two years ago.
• There is a direct factual connection between the degree programme and the internship.
• The internship company has undertaken in writing to bear the costs incurred by public authorities up to six months after the end of the internship agreement (for the foreigner's living expenses during an unauthorised stay in Germany and for his/her deportation).
• The duration of the internship is a maximum of six months.

none

• No permit is required for employment during your studies that does not exceed 140 days per calendar year.
• If you wish to work for more than this during your studies, you will always need a permit from the Foreigners' Registration Office, possibly with the approval of the Employment Agency.
• You must apply for a work permit before taking up employment.

If the responsible office provides forms, please use these, otherwise an informal letter will suffice.

Study-related internships

• As a rule, a visa procedure is required prior to entry. This must be applied for at the German embassy in your home country.
• The internship company fills out a registration form and an internship plan.
• The internship company must undertake to cover the costs.
• Approval from the employment agency is always required.

Forms can be found in the "Information sheet for study-related internships" from the Federal Employment Agency (see Forms & online services).

Fixed term: usually for the duration of employment.

The Federal Employment Agency can also arrange and authorise specialist internships for foreign students who are enrolled at a university abroad.