How to Get a Job in Germany

In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to find a job in Germany as a foreigner.  

The German job market is a thriving hub for international professionals looking for job opportunities and career progression. From understanding the German job market and working culture, to obtaining an employment visa, finding resources and navigating the job application process, we will cover all the important aspects of finding a career. 

Overall, the salary and benefits packages in Germany, including those in the tech and startup scenes, are designed to provide employees with a good standard of living and security. For international students planning to study and work in Germany, it's important to understand the costs involved in living and studying in the country. Furthermore, if you want to progress your career and work part-time as a working student, choosing to study in Germany in English can open up numerous professional opportunities and create a smooth transition into the German job market. Check out our ultimate guide for international students to get a comprehensive overview of the cost of studying in Germany.

There are specific steps you need to follow to get an employment visa for Germany: [1]

If you're a non-EU citizen and wish to search for employment opportunities in Germany, you can apply for a Job Seeker visa.  

Here are the general steps to follow to obtain a Job Seeker visa for Germany: 

• First, you should check if you meet the eligibility requirements, which include providing proof of vocational or academic training and having qualifications recognised in Germany or equivalent to a German degree or diploma. If you are seeking employment in a regulated profession like healthcare, a professional practice permit is mandatory [3].  

• To apply for a job seeker visa for Germany, you need to find out where in your country to submit your application.  It's likely you'll submit your application to an embassy or consulate where a fee is required [1][2]. 

• Once you have completed all necessary steps and submitted your application, you can retrieve your job seeker visa upon entering Germany [1][2] and if you find a job within the six-month period, you can then apply for a work visa to stay and work in Germany. 

As an international student learning on-campus at IU International University of Applied Sciences, you can change your residence permit into an 18-month post-study job seeker’s visa as soon as you finish, allowing you to stay in Germany and find work.  

Making a career in Germany can be a challenging process, but there are many resources available to help job seekers. The following are some of the most useful resources for finding jobs in Germany: 

There are different types of visa-based residence permit that one can apply for depending on their situation. Some of the most common visa-based residence permits are: 

To get a German work visa, Indian citizens must first find a job offer from a German employer.  

Once you've secured that, your employer will help you with the visa application process, including getting a job title assessment from the German Federal Employment Agency and providing a certificate of eligibility for a work visa. 

Next, you'll need to attend a visa appointment at the German Embassy in India and provide all the required documentation, which includes a valid passport, CV, and proof of financial stability. 

Here's a summary of the required documents:

• Passport with a validity of a minimum of 3 months beyond the intended stay in Germany and 1 blank page 

• Current bank statement, of the latest 6 months (online bank statements will not be accepted) 

• Standard German visa application documents 

• A signed contract from your future employer in Germany 

• Certificate about compulsory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) from your German employer, valid from the date of employment. 

• Proof of clean criminal record 

  
  

Once you have all the necessary documents, submit your application to the German embassy in New Delhi, which is the only competent body to assess the applications.  

The processing time for a German visa application is generally 10 to 15 working days, but there may be delays depending on the number of applications or the specific situation of the applicant. 

It's important to note that certain work visa categories, such as the highly skilled worker visa, may have specific requirements, such as a certain level of education or professional experience. 

There are resources available to you to help you find job opportunities in Germany from India. Here are some of them: 

• Job portals such as monster.de and stepstone.de, which have a large database of job vacancies in Germany and regularly updated with new postings. 

• Major German company websites, including those in the tech, finance, and management sectors. 

• Professional networking sites like LinkedIn, where you can connect with recruiters and professionals in Germany; learn about job opportunities and build your network. 

• Embassies, consulates, and trade organisations in India, which often provide information and support for citizens looking to work in Germany. 
   

As an international student, you will have the competitive edge you need to succeed on the German job market by earning a degree from one of the top universities, like IU, which provides career-focused, state-accredited, and internationally recognised programmes.  

They are committed to assisting you in realising your professional goals from the moment you enroll at IU.  

Whenever you need it, you'll receive full support from your personal study adviser, study materials, and career coaches through their exclusive online career services, including their job listings platform, live prep trainings, networking events, one-on-one career counseling, and more.  

94% of IU graduates secure a job three months after graduation. 

To get a student visa for Germany from India, you should follow these steps: 

This article has last been updated on January 2025