If you have studied in Germany and want to keep working here, you usually need a new residence permit after graduation. The permit you apply for after your studies determines how long you may stay after your exam, whether you need a job contract first, and which documents you must present.
Short answer: After a successfully completed degree, you can receive a residence permit to look for work. Under § 20 (2) AufenthG it is valid for up to 18 months and cannot be extended further. With the Chancenkarte under § 20a AufenthG you may look for a job for up to one year. The follow-up Chancenkarte is valid for up to two years. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- The residence permit for job search after studies under § 20 AufenthG is valid for up to 18 months. The law excludes any further extension.
- The Chancenkarte under § 20a AufenthG comes in two forms: a job-search card valid for up to one year and a follow-up card valid for up to two years.
- For the follow-up card you need an employment contract or a binding job offer, and the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) must agree.
- With the job-search card you may work on average up to 20 hours per week.
- For the points-based Chancenkarte you need a recognised qualification, enough points under the table in the law and secured subsistence.
Which residence permits after studies come into question
German residence law offers several routes that lead from a degree in Germany to a residence for work. Three questions decide which one fits: whether you already have a concrete job offer, which qualification you can prove, and how much time you need for the search. The overview below follows the wording of the statute. The page on the legislation does not state the version date.
| Permit | Legal basis | Duration under the law | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence permit for job search after studies (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche) | § 20 (1) no. 1 and (2) AufenthG | up to 18 months, no further extension | successful university degree, secured subsistence |
| Job-search Chancenkarte (Such-Chancenkarte) | § 20a (1) and (5) AufenthG | up to 1 year | skilled worker or enough points, secured subsistence |
| Follow-up Chancenkarte (Folge-Chancenkarte) | § 20a (5) AufenthG | up to 2 years | employment contract or binding offer, approval of the Federal Employment Agency |
How the residence permit for job search works
Under § 20 (1) AufenthG, a residence permit can be granted after a successfully completed study so that you can look for a job that fits your degree. The statute refers to studies under § 16b or § 16c AufenthG. The permit is issued for a period of up to 18 months. Securing your subsistence is a condition, and the law rules out any further extension beyond this period.
For this reason the deadline is the most important point in your planning. If it passes without a suitable result, you usually have to switch to another permit, and that only works with a matching job or a qualification that supports the change. Start the search early and begin applying before your degree is finally confirmed.
Calculation example with an assumption
Assumption: the residence permit for job search is issued in March 2027. The maximum of 18 months then ends in September 2028, which leaves about six months to find a job that justifies another permit. The exact calculation is made by the competent immigration office, because it depends on the date of issue and the notice itself.
How the Chancenkarte under § 20a AufenthG works
The Chancenkarte is a residence permit to look for employment or for measures to recognise foreign professional qualifications. The law distinguishes two variants, which differ in duration and conditions.
The job-search Chancenkarte: up to one year
Under § 20a (5) AufenthG, the job-search card is valid for up to one year. During this time you may work on average no more than 20 hours per week. Trial employment is limited to two weeks at a time. It must be qualified, aim at a vocational training or suit a recognition measure under § 16d (§ 20a (2) AufenthG).
The follow-up Chancenkarte: up to two years
An extension of up to two years is possible if an employment contract or a binding job offer for qualified work exists and the Federal Employment Agency agrees (§ 20a (5) AufenthG). A follow-up card is only available if no other permit from section 4 of the law is an option. Further extensions as a Chancenkarte are excluded.
If you have already held a job-search card, you cannot simply start over. A second job-search card requires, under the law, that you were outside Germany for at least as long as the first card was valid, or that you had another permitted stay in between.
Which conditions the Chancenkarte requires
The Chancenkarte can be granted if you count as a skilled worker or if you reach enough points for the criteria under § 20b (1) AufenthG using the table in the annex to the law (§ 20a (3) AufenthG). For the points variant, the law essentially requires four building blocks:
- Subsistence: it must be secured (§ 20a (4) AufenthG).
- Qualification: a state-recognised foreign vocational qualification of at least two years, a state-recognised foreign university degree, or a vocational qualification confirmed by a German chamber abroad.
- Language: at least basic German or English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.
- Confirmation: a competent domestic body must confirm the qualification.
If you are already living in Germany, you need a residence title under section 3 or 4 of the law for the Chancenkarte (§ 20a (4) AufenthG). Students who want to stay should therefore check their current status and the timing of the switch carefully.
Timeline: when which permit applies
The table below sorts the phases after graduation. The periods refer to the maximum durations in the law and are not a recommendation. Whether and when a permit is actually issued is decided by the competent authority in each case.
| Phase | Maximum duration under the law | What you should do now |
|---|---|---|
| End of studies and graduation | not limited | plan subsistence, collect documents, have your certificate translated |
| Residence permit for job search | up to 18 months | start applications, have the qualification checked by the competent body |
| Job-search Chancenkarte | up to 1 year | prove points, secure job offers, prepare the follow-up card |
| Follow-up Chancenkarte | up to 2 years | submit the employment contract, obtain approval of the Federal Employment Agency |
This overview does not replace the notice you receive. Whether a permit follows the Chancenkarte depends on the individual case, and the rules can change. It is worth reading the statutory provisions yourself and asking the authority before the deadline ends.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in Germany automatically after my degree?
No. A degree alone does not entitle you to a residence permit. You must apply for the permit and prove the conditions, such as secured subsistence. The competent immigration office decides each application on its merits.
Does the Chancenkarte also apply without a completed degree?
Yes. Under § 20a (4) AufenthG, a state-recognised foreign vocational training of at least two years can also be enough. In every case the qualification must be confirmed by a competent domestic body, and the language requirement applies in both situations.
May I work with the job-search Chancenkarte?
Yes, on average up to 20 hours per week. Trial employment is allowed for up to two weeks if it is qualified, aims at a vocational training or suits a recognition measure (§ 20a (2) AufenthG).
When can I get the follow-up Chancenkarte?
When an employment contract or a binding job offer for qualified work exists and the Federal Employment Agency consents. The card can then be extended by up to two years, but a further extension as a Chancenkarte is not available.
Where can I find the points table?
The table is in the annex to the Residence Act. It assigns points to the criteria in § 20b (1) AufenthG. The competent authority checks whether you reach enough points using your documents, and you should work through the calculation yourself before you apply.
What to do now
- Check whether you hold a university degree under § 16b or § 16c AufenthG and when the permit would end.
- Clarify whether you count as a skilled worker or reach enough points under the table in the annex to the law.
- Secure your subsistence and collect proof of your qualification and of your German or English skills.
- Submit the application in good time to the competent immigration office and clarify the procedure before your current stay ends.
For your personal situation you can also get advice from Academycon. The notes on this page do not replace an examination of your individual case.
Related articles
- Studying in Germany as an international student: the overview
- Applying for a student visa: procedure at the consulate
- Chancenkarte 2026: requirements and procedure
- Naturalisation for students: requirements and procedure
- Starting your career after studies: how to get off to a good start (in German)
Sources: § 20 AufenthG, gesetze-im-internet.de (accessed 2 November 2026), § 20a AufenthG, gesetze-im-internet.de (accessed 2 November 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
