Federal Republic of Germany · Processing time
Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
1–3 months consular processing for the 6-month Job Seeker visa.
How long does the Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) take to process in Germany?
The typical published decision window is 4 weeks – 3 months from a complete application. 1–3 months consular processing for the 6-month Job Seeker visa.
Verified against Make-it-in-Germany — Job-seeker visa on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
4 weeks – 3 months
from complete application
Government fees
€75 visa fee.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG)?
Up to 6-month residence permit for qualified workers to seek employment in Germany (largely superseded by Chancenkarte).
The §20 Job Seeker visa historically allowed up to 6 months in Germany to seek qualifying employment. Since the Chancenkarte launched in June 2024 and offers a longer validity with limited work rights, Chancenkarte is typically the stronger option for most applicants. The Job Seeker visa remains available.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route does not lead to permanent residency.
- Typical permit length: Up to 6 months, non-renewable.
- Indicative government fees: €75 visa fee.
How to read this estimate
The 4 weeks – 3 months window is the time Make-it-in-Germany — Job-seeker visa typically associates with the Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The Make-it-in-Germany — Job-seeker visa page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
Make-it-in-Germany — Job-seeker visa
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/job-seeker-visa
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) take to process?+
The typical wait is 4 weeks – 3 months from submitting a complete application. 1–3 months consular processing for the 6-month Job Seeker visa. These figures come from Make-it-in-Germany — Job-seeker visa and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 4 weeks – 3 months clock start?+
The clock starts when Make-it-in-Germany — Job-seeker visa receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Germany routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (4 weeks – 3 months) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.