Table of Contents
JSV for students after Graduation
Most of the answers will be wrt the location for BERLIN but most of the information is relevant for other cities too. This similar format of questions can be applied to other cities in Germany as well.
Finished with your studies, what next?
One of the first things you need once you have defended your thesis or written your last paper is to receive a provisional grade transcript along with the study completion certificate (Abschlussbescheinigung). Basically a provisional degree certificate mentioning the same. The most important thing being, it should mention the Date of Ex-matriculation. This is the date that actually defines your conclusion of student status and the start of your job seeker status. This is the date that will be considered by the ausländerbehörde (Immigration office/ VISA office), when they will be providing you with the 18 months visa.
What are the features of JSV?
18 months job seeking Visa from the date of completion of your studies, to search for jobs in Germany or by extension anywhere in Europe.
You are allowed to either work full time or part time while having JSV. There is no limitation unlike student status (960 hrs/ year)
Based on a few company policies you can also apply for internships which would be mentioned in the job description
You can travel anywhere
Maximum duration that you can stay outside Germany is 179 days, the same that is applicable for a student visa
What are the prerequisites for JSV?
You have a higher education degree from a German university
You are currently living in Berlin (or in the city that you are applying)
A personal face to face interview
What are the required documentations to apply for JSV?
Note: Carry a copy of all the documents. Just in case they ask to submit.
Valid passport
1 current biometric photo
Current valid visa
Curriculum Vitae
Few job applications (pdf copy of confirmation email from the company or direct emails) that you did prior to your Visa application
100 EUR fees, either in cash or by card.
A copy of your Higher education degree certificate from the German university, which in this case is your Master’s degree certificate or if you finished your Bachelor’s, then that certificate.
Note:
If you don't have the original degree certificate yet, you can provide the study completion certificate (Abschlussbescheinigung) as well.
Health insurance Either you can continue with the statutory public insurance that you paid as a student and continue to pay a higher premium for being a non-student OR you could go for private health insurance from a German institution itself. Either way make sure you are insured the entire duration of 18 months.
Proof of covering your living expenses Current bank account statements showing an equivalent amount of 700-800 EUR/month (The amount varies from State to State within Germany) for the entire duration of 18 months
OR
Submit a proof of a part time job contract that provides a remuneration of Net (Netto) 700-800 EUR/month
OR
Get a declaration from a friend or family stating that they will be providing the financial support for the said duration on an official form.
Note:
Only for BERLIN (as of 2021), if you are able to provide any of the above 3 proofs, well and good. But if you cannot, don't worry. There is no specific amount that needs to be shown in your bank account. Just provide your bank statement for the last 6 months. That’s it. Even if you have less than 500 EUR in your account.
Side Note: Do not attempt to borrow money from your friends or family to increase the amount in your account, close to the appointment date. These cases will be flagged.
Proof of main residence
Certificate of registration (Anmeldung) at the main residence
or
Accommodation Rental contract (Mietvertrag) and/ or Landlord confirmation letter (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). In addition, you can also show a bank statement showing the rent paid every month.
How and where to apply for JSV?
To apply for a JSV, you have 2 options.
by going through the international student’s office (ISO) at your university
by directly going to the Ausländerbehörde (with or without an appointment)
Gather all the required documents as mentioned in the previous answer and submit it either at the ISO or to the Immigration office.
To book an appointment at ausländerbehörde, you can either follow the link for Berlin or you can directly visit the office early in the morning (as early as 5 AM or sometimes even earlier) and stand in the queue. Please check the opening timings of the Immigration office and plan accordingly. For any additional information please follow the link.
Side Note:
Book an appointment at Ausländerbehörde before your student visa expires.
If your visa expires in less than 3-4 weeks, the ISO may not process your application and will ask you to directly go to the Ausländerbehörde.
How long is the process to get the JSV?
Average time of processing an application is about 4-6 weeks.
If your student visa is expiring in less than 2 months, it would be an ideal time to apply for it or as soon as you receive your provisional study completion certificate.
Should I apply for JSV immediately after the completion of my studies?
No, unless your student visa expires in the next couple of months. However, In case your student visa has 4 or more months of validity, you can apply for JSV according to your convenience.
Note: No matter when you apply for the visa, the start date of your JSV is from your official date of ex-Matriculation, as mentioned in your study completion certificate (Abschlussbescheinigung).
Can I travel outside Germany with JSV?
Yes. As answered in Q.No.2, you are allowed to travel anywhere within or outside Germany and to India as well.
I got my JSV for 18 months. I want to stay in India and apply for jobs. How long can I stay outside Germany with JSV?
Yes you can stay in India but only for a maximum duration of 179 days. You have to be in Germany on the 180th day at the latest, if you want the remainder of your JSV to be valid.
My 18 months of JSV is almost ending. Can I apply for an extension?
Yes, you can apply for an extension. But it is at the discretion of the immigration office if they will provide you with an extension. It varies from case to case basis.
My Visa is expiring in less than 3 months. Can I travel to India and return to Germany?
No, you cannot or rather you should not. If due to whatever reason you decide to travel to India with your Visa expiring in less than 3 months, you would be allowed to travel to India but when you want to return back to Germany, even if you have 2 months of Visa remaining, the immigration authorities at the airport will not allow you to enter into Germany.
Unless it's an emergency and you must travel to India, then you can contact the immigration office and let them know of your situation. At their discretion, they may or may not extend your Visa for you to return back to Germany.
I am in India and my Visa expires in 3 months. Can I return to Germany?
Yes. If you still have a minimum of 3 months of validity on your visa, you can travel back to Germany.
What if my address changes between the application process and the arrival of my VISA?
Preferably, try to avoid being in this situation if you already know that your address is going to change in the near future. Although, if you still end up in such a situation, visit the nearest Postbank or apply online on the Postbank portal for an mail forwarding service, which is valid for 12 months.
JSV for Professionals
If you are interested in finding work in Germany, you may go to Germany on a job seeker visa. The Germany job seeker visa allows individuals to remain in Germany for a specific period( for about 6 months) of time and search for employment. But not everyone needs this type of visa to search for employment in Germany. You will find out the details in no time.
Obtaining a job seeker visa to Germany is not easy, you will have to be eligible and fulfil all the requirements and go through the application process with a lot of precision. Now, let’s go through everything you need to know.
What is the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
The job seeker visa for Germany is a Long-Term Residency Permit, which allows you to stay in the country for six months and look for a job. If at the end of the six months you have found a place of employment, you will be given the Germany work visa or a Germany work permit and you will be allowed to work and live there. Please note that having a job seeker visa does not allow you to start working immediately in Germany. It only means that you can visit the country and look for a job during your stay.
Do I need the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
Whether or not you need a job seeker visa depends on your citizenship or nationality. Those coming from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can enter Germany to seek for a job without the need to obtain a visa first.
Moreover, the countries whose residents are also exempt from obtaining a job seeker visa are Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Canada, and the USA. Individuals arriving from these countries are not required to obtain a job seeker visa, but they must register for a residency permit once they arrive in Germany.
Residents of all the other countries must apply for a job seeker visa in order to be allowed to enter Germany.
What is the eligibility criteria for a job seeker visa in Germany?
To obtain a visa for job seekers for Germany, the following requirements apply:
A bachelor or master’s degree from a German university or an equivalent foreign degree
A minimum of 4+ years of experience in the related field of study
Proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Germany
Travel or medical insurance for the entire stay in Germany or until a work permit is obtained
5.Minimum of A1 German language proficiency is mandatory.
What documents are required when applying for a job seeker visa in Germany?
valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and with at least 12 months validity left after the scheduled return)
1 copy of your passport’s data page (A4 size copy)
3 passport pictures according to biometric specifications
cover letter from applicant explaining the exact course of action to find employment in Germany as well as further career plans should stay in Germany be unsuccessful
Proof of academic qualification and work experience (from a German university or equivalent to a German academic degree) and relevant previous work experience certificates for future employment in Germany (for recognition of non-German degrees kindly refer to www.anabin.de)
Personal CV containing full education and employment history
Proof of accommodation in Germany (if staying with a friend or relative, a formal obligation letter (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) would be appreciated)
proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of your stay by one of the following documents: - “Verpflichtungserklärung” (formal obligation letter) by sponsor living in Germany - bank account etc.
Proof of personal status in India and marriage certificate, birth certificate of applicant, wife, children, Aadhar card, ration card (with English translation) if applicable
Proof of health insurance
Demand Draft or cash for verification of documents unless all documents have been verified before
B1 level of German language proficiency will be great to have.
Note: The German Consulate in Mumbai accepts demand drafts only
Click here to find out about the charges for the verification of all documents of Indian
origin.
The verification procedure will be initiated and carried out by the Embassy or the locally competent Consulate. The process of verification takes between 8-12 weeks.
How to apply for a Job seekers visa?
To apply for the German Job Seeker visa, you must follow these steps:
Complete the German job seeker visa application form.
Make a visa appointment.
Collect the required documents for the Job seeker visa.
Attend the interview at the German Embassy/Consulate.
Pay the job seeker visa fees.
Can I extend the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
The Germany job seeker visa cannot be extended. This means if you are unable to find work during the time your visa is valid (six months), you will have to return to your home country.
If you are able to find work in Germany during the time you spend here on your job-seeking visa, you will not be required to return home and apply for a working visa/ residence permit because you can do this in Germany.
Can I work with a German Job-Seeker Visa?
No, you are not allowed to take up employment with a job-seeker visa. Once you have found a job in Germany, you must apply for a residence permit for employment.
References and useful tips for the application
You can book your accommodation for 6 months on bookings.com(you can opt for pay during arrival options) and show these bookings as a proof during your interview.
Even before applying for a job seekers visa, you can start applying for jobs from India from some of the sites like - LinkedIn, Stesptone, Xing etc and show the positive responses for the recruiter that your CV is getting noticed. This proofs provided advantage for your visa
You can buy health and travel insurance from HDFC Ergo for months, this costed around INR 6,200/- in 2019
Proof of financial means to cover the cost can be shown in savings accounts as well.
Don't throw away any bills that you have paid for the job seekers visa, for example - Visa fees, German language fees, flight charges etc. These bills can be used for filing taxes for the subsequent years.
Sample Cover Letter format for Job seekers visa
Date: <<Date of application>>
To
The Honourable Consulate,
Embassy of Germany,
<<Consulate Address in applicant's jurisdiction location>>
Subject: Application for job seeker visa, Passport No: <<passport number>>
I, <<applicant name>>, would like to apply for job seeker visa to pursue job search in Germany. I became aware about this visa <<channel like friends/relative/internet>> and after some further research, I understood that there are lot of potential opportunities which are matching my skills and expertise. I am confident that my job search will be successful.
Germany is one the richest economies in the world and an important country in European Union. With fascinating destinations and very good standards of living, Germany remains one of the best places to live and work. I understand that there are lot of opportunities in my field <<your professional field>> and there are lot of immediate requirements for many job positions. I would like to personally meet prospective employers in the companies to prove my skills and convince them to recruit me. I believe this Job seeker visa is a perfect option for this.
I hold a degree/diploma in <<Name of the degree>> in <major<>>. I have <<number of years of experience>> in my profession. <<This sentence is optional>> Additionally I have proficiency in<<Proficiency level ex: B1 or B2 etc>> in German language. Please find below my detailed CV regarding my education and professional background. / << or use "Please find enclosed my resume with the application for a detailed overview of my qualifications and experience". Attach a separate resume with this covering letter>>
Personal Details
Date of Birth:
Passport number and validity details:
Educational Details
Education details in reverse chronological order
Professional Background
Names of the companies, designation, duration worked - from and to
Vocational qualifications
Certifications in languages, technology certifications etc.
I have already in contacts with prospective employers and employment consultants whom I contacted through various job portals such as
"www.monster.de",
"www.linkedin.de"
"www.glassdoor.de"
<<other websites>>
With the skills and expertise in my field, I am confident of securing a job matching my qualification within the stipulated time.
I have planned to pursue my job search in the city <<city your are planning to live during your job search>>. As per the mandatory requirement for financially supporting myself during my stay in Germany, I have enclosed my bank statement with availability of funds for my expenses in the city after detailed analysis and calculation of the cost of living.
House rent + additional cost - <<cost>> Euro/month.
Food expenses - <<your planned expense>> Euros/month
Transportation - <<your planned transport expense>> Euros / month
Other expenses - <<Your other planned expense>> Euros/month
Total - <<amount>> euros/month.
For my visa duration of six months, I will require <<6 * Total>> Euros. I have calculated the expense with the current exchange rate of Rs.<<average exchange rate/highest exchange rate in past six months>> and I have the amount of Rs.<<Indian equivalent of total expense amount>> in my bank account <<bank account number>> in the <<nationalised bank name>>.
For the purpose of taking care of my health, I have health insurance <<Overseas Travel health insurance>>name from <<Health Insurance company>> for total insured amount of <<Insured amount. Minimum required insured amount is 30,000 Euros>> which covers <<what are all covered in the health insurance>>.
During my visit, I have planned to stay in the <<accommodation like hotel/rental house/friend's/relative's house>> for which I have enclosed the <<Hotel Reservation/Rental contract of self/friend/relative>>document for your reference.
Along with my application, I have enclosed following documents with original documents:
Passport original and copy
photos (as per Schengen format)
Proof of Accommodation
Proof of financial funds
Travel health insurance
Education certificates of <<all degree, school>>
Professional experience certificates <<relevant to the skills>>
Language skills <<optional>>
Birth certificate and Aadhar Card
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
I understand that the job seeker visa is entitled for job search alone and I assure that I will not take up any employment with this visa. I will convert my visa status to valid work visa before taking up my employment.
In the event of my unsuccessful job search within the visa duration, I assure that I will leave the country on or before the expiry of the visa. With my skills and professional qualification I am confident that I will not be facing any problem with my career once I return to my country.
Therefore, I request you to issue a job seeker visa to pursue my job search in Germany.
I hope you find this application complete in all respects and I look forward to visiting Germany!
Thanks and Regards
<<applicant name>>
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