Returning to Germany

Concerning Non-EU students only

Travel abroad

With a German residence title you have the benefit of freedom to travel within the Schengen area and can therefore travel to the Schengen states without border controls and stay there for up to 3 months within a six-months period. For this you need to carry your passport, your residence title and sufficient means of subsistence.

Apart from this take into account the following: any stay outside Germany that lasts longer than six months will automatically lead to forfeiture of the residence permit unless alonger period has previously been agreed expressly and in writing with the Foreigners Registration Department. The only exception is stays abroad to complete part of your studies in another EU member state (EU directive 2016/801). This does not apply to Denmark and Ireland.

Internships during studies

An internship abroad is possible. Please check whether you need a visa for this (see above). If you intend to leave the country for more than six months for your internship, you must be interviewed priorly - presenting your internship contract (=Erasmus Learning Agreement) at your local Foreigners Registration Department Office and agree a correspondingly longer period for a temporary exit. If you do not do this, your residence permit will expire after six months.
Your internship abroad will not be credited to the 140 days of permitted occupation (in Germany). 

International Graduates of German Universities

Residence permit for the purpose of seeking work

Following successful conclusion of your studies in Germany your residence permit may be extended by up to 18 months for the purpose of looking for a job commensurate with the degree. To this end you must apply at the local Foreigners Registration Department office for an extension to your residence permit according to §16, Para.5, AufenthG. Your studies are regarded as finished as soon as the university has certified the passing of the last exam in writing. it is not a question of when you were exmatriculated or when you receive your credentials. At all costss therefore keep the letter and / or envelope with its postmark with which you received the confirmation from the university that you passed the final exam.

To receive the residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment, you must continue to prove that you can provide the means of subsistence yourself.

During the 18 months available to look for a job commensurate with your degree, you may carry out unrestrictedly any gainful employment, including any internship or trainee post.

Internship abroad

During thes 18 months you may also complete an internship abroad. However, any stay outside Germany that lasts longer than six months will automatically lead to forfeiture of the residence permit unless a longer period has previously been agreed expressly and in writing with the Foreigners Registration Department. It is therefore recommended that you present yourself with the internship contract (=Erasmus Learning Agreement) at your local Foreigners Registration Department office and reach the necessary agreements.

Erasmus Funding

Erasmus funding is only available until 12 months after the end of your studies. Nonetheless, the term "end of studies" is more flexible here and could be the day of your last exam or the day of exmatriculation (according to your last enrolment certificate).