Working in Germany

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Working in Germany

Working in Germany for USA Citizens

Online Visa Application Forms:
Interactive Form PDF file

Temporary Stay with Employment

American citizens seeking gainful employment on a temporary basis in countries of the Schengen Agreement must obtain a work permit. The application for this permit should be submitted to the local employment office. In addition, a residence permit is required and must be applied for through the local immigration office. Please note that residence and work permits are issued at the discretion of the appropriate local authorities. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain such a permit in advance which, as a rule, takes from one to three months.

Permanent Residence with Employment

United States citizens intending to take up permanent residence as well as seek employment in the Federal Republic of Germany must apply for a residence and work permit at this Embassy or the responsible Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany. As a rule, processing takes from one to three months.

Students

Students must obtain a residence permit either from a local immigration office in Germany or from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The application will be accepted upon presentation of an admission certificate from the university in Germany, along with proof that the applicant is financially in a position to support him/herself.

Documents Required

If a residence permit is required for the intended stay in the Federal Republic of Germany, you should submit in person the following documents to this Embassy:

a) Valid passport
b) Two application forms
c) Two passport photographs
d) Employment contract; for students, an admission certificate from a German university
e) Proof that you are able to support yourself while staying in the Federal Republic of Germany

The residence permit can be issued only upon approval of the appropriate German authorities. This procedure can take up to three months. As soon as approval is granted, you will be notified.

Note: According to German law, U.S. citizens who intend to stay in Germany more than 90 days may apply for a residence permit directly with the local aliens authority in Germany.