Germany might become a favourite destination for students from lower-income families thanks to the new visa regulations allowing international students to work before starting their studies there.
The new skilled worker law, which became effective in March, enables foreign students to work during their studies, a move that is expected to bring more skilled workers to Germany, the country with the strongest economy in the EU and third-largest in the world, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
The second part of the skilled worker law, which follows the first part that entered into force on November 2023, will bring advantages to several categories, including apprenticeship applicants and graduates, among others.
Germany’s Second Part of New Skilled Worker Law: Here Is What International Students Need to Know
Visa for study applications allows non-EU students to come to Germany nine months in advance and work up to 20 hours per week. During this time, they can complete courses in English and German, depending on their course language, prepare their application, and become familiar with the country.
The new law will now enable international students to work from 120 to 140 full days in a year or 280 half-days per calendar year. The new changes can especially affect students from lower-income families.
The previous law also allowed aspiring students to come to Germany nine months before their studies started, but they were not allowed to work during this period.
Apprenticeship Applicants Allowed to Work Before & After They Start Their Training
Those who want to complete an apprenticeship in Germany are also allowed to work while continuing their search. Two main requirements for applicants are having a B1-level German language proficiency and being under the age of 35.
During this nine-month period, apprenticeship applicants can work 20 hours per week before and after they start their training.
German Graduates Allowed to Change Professions Easier & Apply for Permanent Residency
Non-EU citizens who have graduated from a German university can stay up to 18 months after their graduation to find a job. With two years of work experience, they can apply for permanent residence.
Those who plan to change careers after their graduation will have to change their visa to an EU Blue Card or German Skilled Worker Visa.
University or vocational school graduates who are accredited by authorities in their respective countries can come to Germany if they have two years of work experience in relevant fields.
Over 770,000 Job Vacancies Available in Germany
A total of 770,301 open positions for jobs across many fields were recorded in Germany as of December 2024. The top 20 most-wanted job positions in Germany include vacancies in horticulture, wood, metalworking and other technical fields.
On the other hand, professions with the highest pay in Germany include health workers, pilots, sales managers, and lawyers.
