Also, learn about:

• Germany Training/Internship Visa
• Germany Business Visa
• German Tourist and Visitor Visa
• Germany Freelance Visa

What is a job seeker visa in Germany?

The Job Seeker Visa is a long term residence permit. It allows you to move to Germany and look for the fitting job for yourself. You can stay for six months to look for a job. This visa does not permit you to work. But you can find an appropriate job for yourself. Then your job seeker visa is converted to work permit. The main purpose of this visa is to lure qualified experts to Germany to overcome low manpower.

Job Seeker Visa Eligibility

You need to fulfil some criteria to be eligible for job seeking visa. These are:

• You must have a Bachelor or Master’s Degree at a German university or a foreign degree equivalent to German.
• And you must have work experience (a minimum of 5 years) related to your field of interest. If you have an IT background and have good programming skills then 2 years experience is sufficient. In recent times we have seen a lot of developers coming to Germany with 2-3 years of working experience.
• And proof of your sufficient financial funds. Enough to cover your whole stay in Germany.
• And you need travel or medical insurance till your entire stay in Germany.
• bank balance for Germany job seeker visa

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Bank balance for Germany job seeker visa

In Germany, the average monthly expenses are 853 euros. On a Job seeking visa, it is expected you will travel a lot. Travelling is expensive in Germany. One month can cost you up to 900 to 1000 Euros. So the total amount should be around 5500 to 6000 €. A healthy bank balance is a positive factor.

Requirements

For applying for Job seeking visa you are required to collect your documents. And get them notarized. You need the following documents for your visa:

• A Visa application form. This is available online.
• A valid passport (that is valid till 12 months after your scheduled return).
• Copy of your passport data.
• And 3 biometric photographs (passport size).
• A cover letter (you should explain the objective of your visit, how you plan to find employment, and your plans if you cannot find a job).
• Proof of academic qualification from a German or non-German university. ( in case of non-German get them verified from anabin website).
• Proof of your previous work experience.
• Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Europass format.
• And the proof of accommodation in Germany (where you will be staying during your visit).
• Proof of financial means to cover the costs of your stay in Germany. You can prove this by showing the following documents:
  • Obligation letter by a sponsor living in Germany
  • Blocked bank account

• And documents to prove your personal status, such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc. (with English translation)
• English Language proficiency test i.e. IELTS or TOEFL
• German language proof of at least B1 level
• Proof of your health insurance

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Job Seeker Visa Procedure

The complete procedure for applying for the Job seeking visa is as follow:

• Application form for Germany job seeker visa: Complete the application form online carefully and correctly, and sign it at the end. Make sure everything is correct and up to date. Comply with other required documents. Verify twice before you sign it.
• Collect all the required documents as required by the German embassy.
• Submit all the required documents and visa application form.
• As you submit documents book an appointment for the Visa interview at the German Embassy,
• You have to give an interview. And pay the visa fee.
• Your documents will be submitted to the visa officer. And you wait for the approval.
• If you are approved you can move to Germany in search of employment.

Cost for Germany job seeker visa

The job seeker visa in Germany is the cheapest compared to other European states. It costs about 60-75 Euros.

Except the job seeking visa fee. You also need to pay for:

• Notarization of your documents
• You have to block an amount in your blocked amount. It is usually about 5500-6000 Euros for six months.
• You have to pay for the six-month travel and health insurance.

Germany job seeker visa age limit

There is no age limit for job seeking visa. There are some points that you should keep in mind. The retirement age in Germany is 67. So the applicant should not be older than 67.

Germany is looking for fresh and young minds. They can contribute more and for a longer period. Your age should be less than 50 years so you can contribute at least for 17 years. The younger you are the more chances you have.

Germany job seeker visa success rate

Germany is looking for skilled labour. In 2018 more than 27,000 skilled non-EU migrants moved to Germany. It is more than any previous year. A recent study found that Germany would need 146,000 workers each year from non-EU countries.
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The success rate totally depends on your skills and field. IT and Computer Specialist are more in demand. Your personal profile also plays a major role. The knowledge of German language is one of the biggest factors. B1 and above is the plus point.

Germany gives 1st priority to German nationals 2nd to other Europeans. If they need more candidates or there is no suitable employee then they higher from non-EU countries.

Can you extend my job seeker visa in Germany

No, it is not possible. You have to leave Germany before your visa gets expired. You can reply again. Before you do that I would suggest you improve your profile. You can do a short course or improve your German language. So you can easily convince the visa officer. If you don’t get a job within six months it means either there is a huge competition in your field or there is no big market. Do an in-depth search and land in Germany at the right time.

Benefits of Germany job seeker visa

The list of Germany job seeker visa is really long. I would like to share some of them.

• German economy ranks among the top 5 strongest economies in the world. It means higher salaries and better living standard.
• There is a huge deficiency of skilled labour in Germany. The chances of getting your dream job are much higher.
• Germany is less expensive as compared to other developed Europian countries.
• As soon as you get a Blue Card in Germany you can invite your spouse and they can work too.
• With a B1 German certificate, you can have Permanent German Residence in just 22 months.

Germany job seeker visa interview questions

Well, most of the time the embassy ask the basic questions.
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• Why do you want to move to Germany?
• Why don’t you want to work there?
• Will you come back?
• What if you don’t find the job?
• Are you interested to get permanent residence?
• Do you have previous work experience?

There are more general questions for every kind of Visa. We have compiled a list of interview question that embassy asks during the interview. Please check by yourself.

After arriving in Germany

After you have reached Germany you must do the following things first:

• Either you bring some Euros (1000-1500 Euros) with you or exchange your currency
• Buy a bus ticket or get a taxi to your accommodation.
• Registering your address
• Activating your blocked account
• Then look for the job

We hope this article helps you get a job seeker visa for Germany.

German Student Visa Interview Questions

Your interview mostly contains simple and to the point questions. They mainly want to know about the purpose of your travel. Your interview mostly contains some general questions. But some other questions can be asked depending on the interviewer.

General Questions

The most general questions asked during the student visa interview are:

Why do you want to study in Germany?                                                                               

You can answer it like:

I decided to study in Germany because it has become the centre of excellence with its high-class educational system. Germany is one of the most popular destinations of international students. Deciding for Germany is not uncommon, as German degree is acknowledged all over the world.

Note: Keep in mind to explain the eccentricity and advancement of Germany. Also how you value German degree more than other international countries.
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Why did you choose this city?

This should be answered according to the choice of your University City. Search the city carefully before the interview. Look for some sightseeing or culturally important areas of that city. Show your interest in going to that particular city.

Why did you choose this program/course? Is this program relevant to your previous studies?

Explain the relation of your previous studies with the current program. How this is more advanced in Germany and can provide you with a better learning environment. How passionate you are about learning in this particular field. And that this will provide you with excellent command over your field. And it will add value to your profile.

• In case, you have switched to a new field, explain how you got interested in that course. How this inspired you to study this and what you want to learn about in this field.

Why did you choose this university and how did you find about it?

Explain how you decide on this university. You can say that this university is top among international students. How it is one of the best university for your particular program. They provide great education, great internship opportunities, has low tuition fee and a great working environment, etc. In case you are about to study through a scholarship, explain you are benefiting from this program greatly.

Note:  keep in mind that before the interview search the university and get some insights about what makes this university favorable for you. And what does it offer you?
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What are your grades in your bachelors, high school degree and IELTS?

They want to cross-check the educational information you provided. Tell them the exact score you have achieved in everything. And also the grading system used in your university and high school.

Can you speak German?

As you are moving to Germany they ask you about German language skills. If you speak German or have a certificate show it to them. In case you do not speak German tell them you are currently learning it and you will improve it further by taking courses in Germany.

Who is sponsoring your education?

They want to cross-check your sponsorship documents. If you have a sponsor you should know about their job and annual salary. You have to prove that they can support you financially through your studies mostly by banks statement. Also, show them your blocked account statement.

In case you are going on scholarship. Show them the scholarship awarding certificate as it will be funding your studies.

Would you return to your country after completing your studies?

You should tell them that your main goal is to return to your country after completion of your degree. And tell them that you will use your knowledge and skills acquired in Germany to impact your own country. You should show no intention of staying in Germany after completing your studies.

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Note: Keep in mind that a student visa is granted with the intention that the student will return to his country after his studies. Even though most students would prefer to stay in Germany after completion of their studies, this is not what the German government wants. They want students to take the knowledge they learned in Germany to their countries

Other Questions

The interviewer during the student visa interview may ask some other questions. These questions vary from person to person.

About Germany

Name any tourist places in Germany and why they are famous?

Mention some German parks, palaces, museums, Berlin Wall, and other sightseeing spots that are considered the country’s best attractions.

How many borders does Germany have and with which countries?

Mention all the neighbouring countries you know about. Remember to search about Germany before the interview. Germany has nine neighbours. It includes countries Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and France.

How many states are there in Germany, and can you name some of them?

They are simply interested in your Germany knowledge. Germany has 16 states. You just have to know about some of the states you can mention to show your interest.

Related to your program

What benefits can this program bring for you?

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Mention how you can advance in your carrier through this program. The job options you are expecting to have after your graduation at a German university. Tell them your country in this field lack of expertise. And that you will multiple opportunities in your country after completion of this course.

What is the Program start date?

They want to know the date of your enrollment in university as a student. You have to mention this according to the information on your admission letter from the university.

Is the program completely in English?

Tell them if you are going to study in an international program or a regular program. Usually, international programs are offered in English completely, but some may include German lessons. Keep in mind to have the exact information about the language of your studies; otherwise, it leaves a bad impression.

Note: If your program is taught in English (international program) then you are not required to present any German language certificate. However, if your program requires German (even partial) then it is obligatory for you to present some German language certificate to prove your German knowledge.

Name some of the famous researchers in your field of study?

Mention several famous researchers of your field, who are your inspiration and motivation. Take time and make a list of all important researchers and researches before the interview.
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Related to you

Where will you stay in Germany?

They want to know what type of accommodation you have found. There are different types of accommodations available to international students in Germany like private accommodation, student hostels, shared room, etc. If you have found a place to stay in Germany provide the exact address.  It’s better to make accommodation arrangements in advance. Your University can help you with this.

What is your intended travel date?

You should mention the travel dates according to your travel ticket. Be careful that these dates have to early enough that you can register yourself and get enrolled.

What do you plan to do during your vacations?

You should show no interest in getting a job in vacations. In fact, you should mention your intentions to go back to your home country to reunite with family and friends during the semester break. You should never say anything that shows your plan to work in Germany as that shows you lack financially. This shows that you are travelling to Germany intending for employment instead of studying there.

Do you have any relative in Germany?

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Be truthful for this. Only your immediate relatives’ i.e. own brother, sister, father or mother. You do not have to say anything about your distant aunt or uncle staying there. Usually, it is not considered favourable if any of your relatives are overstaying in Germany.

Who all are earning members in your Family?

They are interested to check if you have a strong financial background. Mention all earning immediate family members of your like your Father, Mother, brother.

How long is the visa interview?

The visa interview usually takes 1- 1.5 hours (60-90 minutes). But it can take longer depending on the situation. They have to take your interview and cross-check your documents that all takes time.

How can I pass my visa interview?

Mostly students can pass the interview if they provide correct answers to the questions. For German Student Visa Interview keep following points in mind:

• You must be on time for your visa interview. Getting late for an interview is considered worst. Mostly the embassy will refuse your entry if you are late.
• Make sure to take the complete list of documents with you when you are going to the embassy. The embassy staff expects you to have all the needed documents. The originals and copies of such documents are to be gathered before the interview.
• During the interview, you should answer straight to the point. Avoid beating around the bush. Be as honest as possible because embassy staff can easily whether you are speaking the truth or not.
• If they question you something you do not know the answer of, simply tell them. Do not try to make up answers by yourself. Do not try to avoid the question.
• Keep yourself confident and frank. This the way you should follow during the student visa interview. But never practice excessive talking and try to be specific

What should I wear to my German visa interview?

For an interview, you should wear something you are comfortable in. You should try to wear a formal outfit. Try to wear clothes that make you look confident and professional. Avoid shabby dressing like printed image shirts or body exposing clothes. Also, avoid overdressing putting strong fragrances. And do not wear too many accessories. Do not wear excessive accessories especially anything with discriminating figures or portraits.

How long does it take to get a German visa after the interview?

The German student visa processing on average takes 3-6 weeks. But it may take as long as 6-12 week or it may be obtained in 15-30 days. So it is recommended to apply for a visa early.

PDF file

You can also download these student visa interview questions and their answers for learning in pdf file given as follow:

We hope this article helps you pass the German student Visa interview.

Can I work in Germany with a student visa?

If you are moving from a European state to Germany, you neither need a working permit nor do you have any restrictions to working hours. But you may have to pay tax to the German government if you earn more than a specific amount.

But in case you are moving from a non-European state as a student. That means you have a Student Visa. And you are not allowed to work full time on a student visa. Because they want you to study not work. There is also a restriction on working hours. You can work only 15-20 hours per week. And in some states, you can only work on weekends if you are a student. With these restrictions, student prefers part-time jobs.

Types of work

There are different types of work options available to Germany students. Keep in mind all of these work types will cause a reduction in working hours. These are as follow:
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• Part-time jobs 
• Vacation jobs
• Internships
• Volunteering 

Volunteering are not earning jobs. So for earning you will need a part-time job.

How much money a student can earn in Germany?

Keep in mind that you cannot cover your daily expenses as well as your tuition fee in Germany with part-time. You may be able to cover your expenses somehow with part-time if you have a scholarship for your tuition. The minimum wage has been set by the German government. A student usually earns about 9-15 Euro per hour depending on the part-time.

Student Part-time jobs

Students can avail a variety of part-time jobs. Each job pay may differ. The most common jobs done by students in Germany are:

Tutoring

You can tutor students. Tutoring mostly involves teaching English. You can earn good money with this job. For this, you need to have English and German language skills. You can also tutor other subjects if you excel in them depending upon your situation.

Waitering at restaurants/Bars

Many students prefer to work as a waiter. For this job, you can adjust the time depending upon your schedule. This job does not have requirements so anyone can do this. There are perks of working at a restaurant. You may be able to get free food. This will shorten your food expenses.

Home delivery

Some students can work as a delivery person. You can work for a restaurant, offices, post and online companies. Sometimes you can get paid well. You will need a license in case you need to drive something. Perks of this job involves getting tips always.

Taxi driving

You can work as a taxi driver in Germany. This is also a well-paid job. For this, you can get a German driving license that is not a difficult job. You will select some specific hours and drive a taxi for that time. The perk of this job is that you can visit many places.
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Babysitting

You can work as a nanny. You can do this in daycare centres or directly work at someone home. Many German parents are working and look for a competent baby sitter for their children. If you like being around children this a perfect job for you. The perk of this job is that once you have started working as a baby sitter you can re-negotiate your pay.

Retail shops worker

You can work at a retail shop. For this job, you need to know about products and solve customer issues. For this job, you will require good communication skills as well as German language knowledge.  

Call centre

You can work at a call centre. For this job, you need good communication skills to be able to talk to customers and handle their issues. You need to have German skills for this. The perk of this job is that you can adjust working timings according to your schedule.
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Academic assistant

Academic assistants are people who work at university. They may be research assistants, supervise library, laboratory assistants, etc. Academic assistants are called “Hilfswissenschaftler” or simply “Hiwis” in German. This is one of the highest paying part-time jobs for students. And if you choose an area related to your field it will develop your CV as well. The perk of this job is that there is no time restriction for academic assistance. They can work longer but they need to inform the foreign registration office.

Where to find such jobs?

In Germany Jobs are mostly easily available. You just have to look at the correct places.  For the part-time jobs you can look at:

• The notice board of your university. This is the best place to look for part-time jobs. Many people would have uploaded advertisements for jobs. And you can look for jobs inside your university as well.
• For working as an academic assistant you have to look at the university website or at the notice board. You can also obtain information through your local student service office at the university.
• You can search online for jobs.  There are several German websites that offer jobs. You can search through these websites. Look for the Jobs most appropriate for you. You can not get a full-time job as a student. So look for only part-time ones.
• You can go to restaurants, bars, cafes, and retail shops. Either inquire them if they need workers or simply look for advertisements called “Aushilfe” in German.
• And you may also look for job advertisements in local newspapers.
• Or you could go to the Federal employment agency for the job.

We hope this article helps you get a part time job in Germany.

Germany has the largest national economy in Europe. It is ranked at the 4th index by nominal GDP and at 5th index by GPD(PPP). By having such a strong economy and business-friendly environment Germany is a dreamland for the job seekers. Germany has a shortage of labour and technical staff. The land is offering handsome packages to the foreign working class. It all sounds good but there is a small twist in the story. Like any other nation, the inhabitants of Germany speak the German language and they expect you to speak fluent German as well. Thus Language skill is directly proportional to opportunities.

If you are a student in Germany and looking for part time job then we have shared some of the best and unique techniques to find part-time student job.

Being an expat you might not have a good command on the German language. The dream of getting a job in Germany is not doomed yet. Germany has a diverse culture means more opportunities for English speakers. We have compiled a list of top 10 English speaking jobs in Germany. You can get an English speaking job in Germany. But still, you are required to speak some German or at least understand it. You may be able to survive with only English in big cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt however to transact official business you have to know German. In short, you can get a job that requires you to speak English but you must have the know-how of the German language.

Finding English speaking jobs in Germany

You can easily search for an English job in Germany through your internet and get hundreds of vacancies available. There are also various websites and tools available for searching a job. However, to find a job you must have some strategy. And go through some methodology while applying. The most important of which include:
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• You must not just randomly apply for any English speaking job available
• You CV must be in German format
• Look more towards international companies
• Choose jobs and fields that are less dependent on language skills

Not to apply randomly

Do not randomly apply to any English speaking job thinking this is the only job available. In fact, explore more toward your own expertise and experience. Choose a suitable job to apply for in which you can excel. Germans are known to be straight to the point. And they want to know if you have qualifications for the job or you can do this. So randomly applying can demerit your value.

CV Format

Your CV should be of German format called “Lebenslauf”. This format is easily available on the internet and you can search for it. If your CV does not follow the German standard it will simply end up being rejected without any other consideration.

International Companies

Large international companies have set English as their business language. Even if they are not officially operating in English, they always have jobs or departments that primarily deal in English. So you have a better chance of landing on an English job if you look more toward the International companies.

Less dependency on language :

It would be difficult to get a job that requires communication and interaction with various people to be in English only. For this type of job, they need a native speaker. Therefore, search for a job that requires you to do certain tasks and is not related to your communication skills.
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Most sought out jobs in Germany

The most high paying and sought after jobs of Germany includes:

• Software Engineers or Developers
• Professionals in the hospitality industry
  
• Teachers and tutors
• Scientific research and laboratory
• Sales and distribution expert
• Finance and accounting
• IT professional
• Medical professionals
• Engineers
• Technicians
• Marketing and management
  

Although most of these jobs require you to speak German fluently. But still, each may have a sub department that mostly deals in English.

English speaking jobs in Germany

English speaking jobs require you to speak English fluently and have some know-how of German language enough to hold a decent conversation. This includes:

Software Engineers or Developers

Software Engineering and programming jobs are the least language dependent. In Germany, you are more than welcome if you have good programming skills. Language is the least priority. And the interesting fact is it is one of the highly paid fields in Germany.

Hospitality industry

If you are professionals in the hospitality industry you can work in hotels and restaurants that have English as their official language. All employees speak English for communication and deal with customers in English too.

Teaching

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Teacher’s especially English teacher/tutor can use English officially. Teachers for the higher level like postgraduates or graduate have little or no need of communication in German. German universities offer programs both in English and German. There are a lot of schools and academies that are looking for a fluent English speaker to teach English. However, the problem of language may arise for a school teacher. As they have to communicate with parents or students.

Scientific research and laboratory

If you are a researcher you have no need to worry as most research labs work at international level and speak English. Scientific research is being carried out highly in Germany. So all high level laboratories will allow you to research if you can speak English.

Sales Expert

Various sales job require you to speak fluent English with little need of German. If you are in charge of dealing with customers and their wants or needs you have to learn German. However, in case your tasks are simply providing data and guidance to help the sales team. Then you are not language-dependent.

Accounting Professional

Accounting officers mostly have to check the financial bookkeeping of organizations. They have to check finance mostly. In this case, you are not dependent on language. However, financial officers who devise the strategy for an organisation have to communicate a lot. Thus have to learn German.

IT Professional

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In the IT department, there is little need of German language skill. For example IT analysts and IT support. They mostly do not require communication skills in German. In fact, if you excel in your field there is no need to worry about the language problem.

Medical Professions

If you are a surgeon you may have little or no need for communication. On the other hand physician or pharmacists should be fluent in German as they have to communicate. But if you are a surgeon, you would mostly perform a specific surgery. Therefore there is little need of German skill for them.

Electronic Engineers

Electronic engineers are highly paid in the industry in Germany. The engineers who are skilled are overlooked of their German-speaking capability. They mostly require you to design and analyze up to date electronics. You just have to do your job right.

English Editor

English editor is most of the time required to read and write English. They must be proficient in English but there is no need of having to speak German. You can get a job as a content writer or editor in various companies.

We hope this list helps you land a good job in Germany.