Federal Republic of Germany · work unsponsored
Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 6 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Historic 6-month job-search visa for applicants abroad, superseded by the Chancenkarte; §20 AufenthG now covers job search after study or training completed in Germany.
- Processing time
- Similar to other national visas.
- Government fees
- €75 visa fee.
- Typical duration
- Post-study/post-training job search: up to 18 months. The from-abroad 6-month route is closed to new applicants.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) for Federal Republic of Germany has typical processing of 4 weeks – 3 months. Sources: official Federal Republic of Germany government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/germany/job-seeker-visa#answer
What is the Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) in Federal Republic of Germany?
Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) is an unsponsored Germany route. Indicative government fees are €75 visa fee; indicative processing time is Similar to other national visas; typical duration is Post-study/post-training job search: up to 18 months. The from-abroad 6-month route is closed to new applicants. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against German Federal Foreign Office on 22 June 2026.
Overview
The classic §20 Job Seeker visa allowed qualified workers to spend up to 6 months in Germany looking for work. Since the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) launched in June 2024, that from-abroad route has been superseded: the current §20 AufenthG covers job-search residence permits for people who have completed a degree, vocational training or recognition procedure in Germany (up to 18 months, with work permitted), while new applicants coming from abroad to look for a job apply for the Chancenkarte instead. If you are outside Germany and searching for a German job-seeker visa, the Chancenkarte is the route to check first.
Additional sources
Primary source
AufenthG §20 — Arbeitsplatzsuche (current consolidated law text) ↗ · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de)
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Recognised degree.Federal Government of Germany (Bundesportal, service description issued by Hesse state administration) ↗
- ✓Proof of funds for the search period.Federal Government of Germany (Bundesportal, service description issued by Hesse state administration) ↗
- ✓Health insurance cover.Federal Government of Germany (Bundesportal, service description issued by Hesse state administration) ↗
Common blockers
- !Applying from abroad: the from-abroad job-search visa was superseded by the Chancenkarte in June 2024.German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Degree and anabin confirmation.German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt); data maintained by KMK/ZAB ↗
- ·Funds evidence.Federal Government of Germany (Bundesportal, service description issued by Hesse state administration) ↗
Application pathway
Applying from abroad? Use the Chancenkarte
The Opportunity Card replaced the from-abroad job-search visa in June 2024 and allows part-time work during the search.
Finishing a German degree or training? Apply under §20
Apply to your local foreigners authority for the post-study or post-training job-search residence permit (up to 18 months).
Convert on securing offer
Change status to Blue Card, §18a/§18b, or other appropriate residence permit.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantCheck Job Seeker visa steps ↗
Use this official page for the academic Job Seeker visa requirements and mission appointment process.
German Federal Foreign Office · verified
- ApplyApplicantCompare with Opportunity Card ↗
Use the official Opportunity Card application page to compare the newer job-search route before choosing Job Seeker.
German Federal Foreign Office · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: €75 visa fee.. A decision then typically takes 4 weeks – 3 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the German Job Seeker visa still available?+
Not as a from-abroad route. The classic 6-month Job Seeker visa was superseded by the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) in June 2024. The current §20 AufenthG job-search permit is for people who have completed a degree, vocational training or a recognition procedure in Germany, and it allows up to 18 months of job search with work permitted. If you are applying from outside Germany, check the Chancenkarte instead.
Can I work while searching for a job in Germany?+
It depends on the permit. The post-study and post-training §20 job-search permit allows any employment while you look for a qualifying role. The Chancenkarte allows part-time work of up to 20 hours a week plus short trial placements. The old from-abroad Job Seeker visa, which did not permit work, is no longer offered.
Should I use the older Job Seeker visa or the Chancenkarte to look for work in Germany?+
For most applicants the Chancenkarte is the stronger option, because it offers a longer validity and limited work rights, whereas the §20 Job Seeker visa lasts up to 6 months, is non-renewable, and does not permit any work. The Job Seeker visa remains available, mainly for university graduates who do not meet the Chancenkarte points threshold.
Does the Job Seeker visa lead to permanent residence?+
No. The §20 Job Seeker visa does not lead to settlement on its own and is non-renewable. To stay long-term you change status to a Blue Card, a §18a/§18b Skilled Worker permit, or another appropriate residence permit once you secure an offer.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in GermanyHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: German Federal Foreign Office
Last checked: 22 June 2026