Job applications and work permits

Hi,

I'm from the United States, and just here until February. I would like to return though and look for work. Unfortunately, I am considerably confused about the work permit/residency permit requirements for people from the US. It seems to me that you can't get a work permit without work and you can't get work without a work permit, and that the same Catch-22 applies to the residency permit. In addition, I have been told that even if you do find work, the German government then undertakes a search (which can take months) to see if a German citizen can be found with the same qualifications. If such an individual is found, the work permit will not be issued.

Can someone straighten me out on how this works?

Many thanks,
Ellen

If you obtain a job with the US Forces or you are self-employed, you do not need a work permit to work in Germany. It is difficult to obtain a work permit while the economy is bad, especially for job skills that are not in high demand. I am a civilian working for the US Forces, and I found a jobs while I was simply visiting a German friend. Keep in mind, if you Do get a German work permit, you CANNOT work for the US forces. Try this website for US forces jobs in German; http://www.chrma.hqusareur.army.mil/ , there are several jobs, your category would probably be US Citizen already livng in area.

It is very easy for a us citizen to obtain residence even without a work permit, if you can show that you are able to support yourself, i.e substantial savings, or money coming in from the US-(you'd be surprised what they consider substantial) which was my case. You have to first get a registration certificate, by going to the town where you are living and filling out a form- you will need a lease. I obtained a lease, by paying my rent 2 years upfront, sound expensive, but my rent is only the equivalent of $300/mo us dollars, which was only $7200 for 2 years. Bring your passport and lease, the registration is free. Once you receive the registration certificate, you can the apply for a resident permit, you'll need the certificate, lease (if you have one) and your passport, if you have a potential employer- a letter from them, other wise write your own letter stating that you are self employed- as I did.

Please note that if you are in German for 3 months or longer, and you are not self employed, you will need a work permit. Remember if you want to work for the US Embassy or US Forces, you must obtain a jobs within the first 12 months or otherwise you would be considered an ordinary resident of Germany and would not qualify for these positions. Good luck whatever you decide.

Here are some helpful phone numbers for Civilian Personnel Service Centers:

• Ausweilerstr. 1, 55774 Baumholder, Tel. (06783) 66160
• Richard Wagner Str. 31, 97421 Schweinfurt, Tel. (09721) 85417
• Plinger Strasse, 79567 Stuttgart, Tel. (0711) 729-2806
• Cambrai Fritsch Kaserne, Geb. 4027, Ludwigshohstrasse, 64285 Darmstadt, Tel. (06151) 691630

I have a job specific work permit. I really don't want this job, but I wanted the permit to stay. I see all these jobs that say "you must have a work permit" but I was told that I have to have a specific job OFFER to have a permit. I know it sounds like I'm talking in circles, but does it make any sense? How do I pursue a permit to look for jobs that already require this said permit, not one that is job specific? I think I just confused myself. I'd really appreciate your help, and anyone who succeeds in leading me to this permit gets a free 6 pack of Schloss beer.

Topics merged by admin

Have you started the job that you don't want just in order to get the permit, if not you could do so and start looking for other work immediately. When you start a job you usually have a trial period, which makes it very easy for both parties to cancel the contract. Make sure you find another job that you actually want during the trial period. Once you have got the work permit as long as you have work I think it can be altered/extended.

I thought a company had to sponsor a potential employee for a work permit. So you may need to first find a company interested in your skills and then if they are willing to employ you, they will apply for it on your behalf. I guess there are many restrictions in place, such as advertising said job in the press for a specified period of time (looking for local workers) etc. Not an easy task getting a work permit. In the UK though it was once the case a few years ago that work permits were being handed out to care workers (no skills necessary).

If you need a work permit, you have to apply for a job first and get the job offered to you. As soon as you have a written contract that you can show the authorities, they'll give you a form for your future employer to fill out. Once it's filled out, you have to wait like a month for the authorities (Ausländeramt/Arbeitsamt) to process it.

All of my employers have been cool with this whole process. It sucks, but you have to be honest about not having a permit, that it's usually not a problem, but that it could take up to a month before you start. I've never had an employer do all of this for me, but some people here have been recruited or contracted to move to Germany. If you're on your own on finding the job, you have to do it all yourself (at least from my experience).

You can't just get a job, get the permit and then quit the job. Your permit will expire once your contract with your employer terminates. If you're applying for a job and have to click the box "have work permit", don't check it, but write next to it "obtainable with job offer", or something

Hope that helps

No, you are not confused, thats just the German way to say no.

You need this work permit to apply for a job, but unless you have the job you wont get a permit. Sounds kafkaesque? Well you should see what we did to our Asylrecht

this is a little confusing, and my answer my be more confusing, but what I THINK you are seeing is jobs advertising for people who have no trouble getting work permits, since they are European community citizens. When we arrive, we get the work permit once we start the first job, but then it doesn't expire if we quit the job. Many jobs are advertised on this basis, because the company doesn't want the hassle of having to state that you are he only person they could get who was right for the job - which is what they have to do if you get a specific permit (whih again is tie to you bein a non EU member).

So, as a US citizen, you will pretty much be forced to look for jobs whih do not mind vouching for you.
#This may not be the answer to your question, and the info may also be somewhat out of date as I've been here a while. But that's how I have aways interpreted those ads

From my experience MoilV has it right.

Ok! This is really helpful- I appreciate it SO much.

Like MoiLV said, its not a hard thing, just something that takes time. I came here in the 90's to work at one office, hated it, but found another job, because I had to give 3 months notice, I did, but in the mean time, started the paperwork for the new job, just a visit to the Arbeitsamt to pick up the form and back with 2 photos, filled out form, copy of pass and residency permit, and a letter from office that they must employ me... sometimes they stamped it right there for me, sometimes I had to wait 2 weeks for the paperwork to arrive in the post.

What visa do you have Carm? If you are new to Germany and not an EU citizen, it will not be so simple. Your first permit will be for a limited period of time and will be restricted to one employer and you can not be self-employed. After three years of paying taxs you can switch employers without a problem. But until that time, if you want to switch employers or even for your first attempt to have a visa, you are required to have your application approved by the Arbeitsamt. This may be a rubber stamp depending on how nice your employer wrote that you are so unique in fulfilling every aspect of the open position that there could not be another person available in all of Germany first and then in all of the EU. However due to the pressure on the Arbeitsamt by the 13% unemployment, the AA in Munich are suggesting that the average application may take around 3 months. My advice would be to take residence for your first three months near a small town where you can use their AA and not Munichs. But if you want to switch employers you will still need the AA approval for the next position, unless you have worked here for three years.

This is actually very good advice...my visa is situated in a small town, and i just say that i commutefor work...MUCH easier than trying to register in a large city!

Hello all. Im new to munich and TT but i have to say what an amazing time saving resource it is. I was not able to find what i was looking for through the search feature so appologies for this repetition if it has already been addressed before. My question is: in what order is the process for my goal of eventually living and working here legally. Is the first step to 1) register my address with the Burgerbureau? 2) Apply for residence permit? 3) apply for work permit ? As the above post mentioned about the catch 22 of neededing a job to get the permit and needing the permit to get the job, how is this best accomplished? Thanks in advance !

...and yes i am an american.