Getting a job vs. securing the work permit first

Hey Guyz,

I am an Asian ,living in Germany since 2005(more than 2 years)I came here on dependant visa and now i am looking for a work permit.In the mean time,i did complete a German Language course(B1 Zetifikat Deutsch).I had been to the Foreigners Office regarding this matter.After going through my passport ,they came to the conclusion that at first ,i have to find a work first.They have given me a form that should be filled by the Employer.I have to submit the filled form at the Foreginers Office and later they will forward it to Arbeitsamt.Arbeitamt will decide whether i am eligible to do this job or not!!!If i get the green signal from Arbeitsmat,work permit can be issued by the Foreigners Office.

My question is ,Can i apply for a job without a work permit?Iam not into IT field(I have a bacheors degree in Functional English and a Diploma in IATA)Since i have done a diploma in Travel and tourisms,iam looking for a job at Munich Airport as Ground staff,Check -In Agnet etc.Can anyone suggest me the possibilities of getting the job at Munich Airport?.And the application proceedings?Or Are there any agencies those help to obtain the work permit(by offering the job and taking their commission)???

NOTE:I dont have any working exp.

Any suggestions regarding this matter?Iam in a dilemma of not knowing how to move further.Help me Plzzzz..

Regards
Ashhhhh
Freising/Munich

My wife had the same case - Non-EU, Non-IT. She too was said the same things as you were told - eligible to work, provided she finds the work. She was handed over the same form as u were (I guess it is 'Benötigte Angaben zur Beantragung einer Arbeitserlaubnis'). Eventually she found a job. The employer applied for the work permit, and the work permit was issued within 4 weeks time. She is now happily working.

You must have a job offer to apply for the work permit. In most of the cases the employer will do this for you.


You can apply for the job without a work permit, provided you let them know that they will have to sponsor a work permit for you, and most importantly, provided that your residence permit does not have any such clause stating that you are not allowed to work here. Most of the online job application systems do have an option to select such a case.

All the Best to you,
Bandu.

ugh. search people!

anyhow, you cannot get a job without a work permit. some places won't even look at you without first having a work permit. it's the chicken-egg scenario. sorry. if you find a company that wants to hire you, you take that contract and apply for the work permit. either it works or not. good luck.

I agree its a chicken-egg kinda thing. You got to have work to apply for a work permit and you have to have work permit to be able to work !

My wife got her residency and a Tax Card immediately. She didn't have to find a job first.

Hallo Bandu,

When can i tell my employer that they have to sponsor my work permit?while making the applicaion or after getting a positive reply from their side?How can find that clause from the residence permit?Will it be in our Pass?

Thanks for your reply.

I am not sure when to tell your employer. The earlier the better. Infact, the employer should make sure that the candidate can legally work in Germany and has the necessary permits to do so.


Yes, it is written on the residence permit sticker / stamp that you got on your passport. Not sure how it works in Munich, but here, we get a stamped on the passport. Try translating that.

- Bandu.

Well, I am not sure whether you should tell your 'would-be future employers' anything regarding Work-Permit till you are asked about it or until you get an offer letter. My wife had a similar case (non-IT, non-EU, dependant visa, looking for a job) and she was called for an interview and asked for her Work Permit Status. She informed them that she is allowed to Work but will have to inform the Ausländerbehörde once she gets an offer letter. The interviewer cancelled the interview telling that its against their COmpany Policy to interview candidates without valid Work Permit beforehnd. So its indeed a Chicken-&-Egg story, but I think (though I am not very sure) you should first attempt to get at least one offer letter in hand and then apply for Work Permit and keep on searching for better jobs when you have a valid Work Permit.

As everyone said before, search for the job, get an offer in hand and then go back to Arbeitsamt with the offer and apply for the work permit. You will, more than likely, have to wait (unless you are making over the limit - which was 50K€ 6 years ago, and then they can approve it immediately).

BUT, what Mayank said 'keep searching for better jobs when you have a valid work Permit' is tricky. Your work permit will be tied to your job (probably) and not unlimited which means if you find another job with a different company, you will have to go back to the Arbeitsamt and apply for another work permit with the new company.