This post gives you a list of some possible ways to extend Job Seeker Visa if your visa is due for expiry soon.
Germany’s Job Seeker Visa is to encourage more qualified professionals from abroad to come to Germany. With this Visa, you can stay in Germany for six months and search for a job and you cannot extend it further than that period as per law. However, there are some possible ways to extend Job Seeker Visa and we shall see that in detail in this post.
A lot of people take a risk and come to Germany for 6 months to search for a job with Job Seeker Visa. But, at the end of these 6 months if you end up with nil offers on your hand, you need to head back to your own country which can be very disappointing for some.
Also interesting
If you are lucky, one of these ways can help in extending your visa.
Please note that these methods are not approved by law and therefore are not reliable. There is a probability that these might work as it had already worked for some people.
Upcoming interviews to extend Job Seeker Visa:
If your visa is about to expire and you have some interviews lined up already post the expiry date of your visa, there is a possibility that you can extend your visa. All you need to do is collect proof of email copies and head to Auslandebehörde. Submit your email copies and explain that you need more time to stay in Germany and finish your interviews. If you are lucky and convincing enough, it will be considered and they will extend your visa for up to 3 months or more. Keep in mind that it may not be considered for everyone. But, it’s worth trying your luck.
Remember, you need to show the proof of funds in your bank account for the months extended
Ausbildungsstelle to extend Job Seeker Visa:
Ausbildungsstelle means Apprenticeship in English. This is basically you getting trained in a skill and in return, some companies pay a small amount as salary or you simply get work experience for no pay. Find and apply to some companies that provide such training/internship and once you get a contract, submit the same in Auslandebehörde explaining the nature of work. They will likely consider this and convert your visa to a student visa. You can search for these training/internship type jobs on stepstone or job portals.
If you know of any other ways, please add those in comments so that it can be useful to others who look for extending their visa. Remember that this will only work depending on various factors including the city from which you apply. However, if nothing works do not be disappointed to return to your country. Prepare well, brush up your german skills, and apply again after 6 months..
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They are not converting into student visa.
I asked to asulanderbehorde.
Only way to extend if we have job interviews or covid-19 reason.
Hello Parimal, thank you for the comment.
The conversion to Student Visa from Job Seeker Visa (JSV) is not guaranteed to work always but it did work for some people and they successfully got their visa converted without much difficulty. It really depends on the competent Aliens Office in your location. For example, it worked for some in Berlin while it didn’t for some in Hanover under similar circumstances. Nonetheless, it’s worth a try.
Hi Kiran,
How about for the people who have Jobs seeker visa but they have been enrolled in a preparation language course and a master degree. Would be possible to change the status?
Hi Debora,
Thank you for the comment. You need to convert a Job Seeker Visa to a student visa if you are enrolling in a master’s degree. Without student visa, you can’t enroll in any course
Any idea scope of banking /admin jobs in Germany? I am currently enrolled for A1..
Hi Taha,
There are many jobs on the banking/admin side. But, I believe the domain you are aksing requires the German skills at least B2. Also, please look at job portals like stepstone, indeed, LinkedIn to see how many jobs available for your role. You will get some idea about your domain. Good luck
Hi Bro,
The Content in the blog really useful for all JSV holders .
I am on Job seeker visa currently living in Berlin . My visa going to expire very soon .Due to Covid 19 pandemic, I couldn’t get a job .
I am planning to go back to India and come again Germany after a year .
My question is , Am I eligible to apply job seeker visa second time from Chennai embassy ?
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Nag,
Sorry to hear that you were not able to find a job this time. Of course, you can apply after 6 months.
Good luck
Hi Kiran ,
Thanks for your response.
Should I apply after 6 months ?
Have anyone face this situation before ?
Hi Nag,
You can apply after 6 months or later too. The minimum gap should be 6 months to reapply again. The second visa interview is usually difficult than the first under normal circumstances. But considering the current dynamic with the Covid-19, you have a valid cause to reapply after 6 months since this situation has likely affected a lot of people from other countries who came to Germany with the Job Seeker Visa just like you. A lot of companies in multiple sectors have frozen the recruitment process due to the current pandemic and once the economic fallout settles, you have a better chance of succeeding in your next attempt. Also for your next time, learn German (at least B1 or B2) then it would be easy to land a job and also you can mention that in the Visa Interview.
Hi Nag ,
I am trying to apply for JSV , need some info regarding visa process
can you please share your contact number or else ping me 8143 3636 23 watsapp
Hi Kiran,
which city is having more job opportunities for IT field in Germany. I am an Cloud Architect and hope move to Germany in end of this year.
Hi Kiran!
I just have graduated from German University and must apply for Job seeking visa, for graduates it is up to 18 months. Could you please say, can I get it for 3 months for now as I only have money for 3 months to cover myself now, and then, extend it?
Hi Elena,
I don’t think they will approve for 3 months only. But still you can request them and see
Hi Kiran,
This was posted a long time ago, so I hope you can still answer. I have a friend on JSV who was able to secure a contract for factory work with amazon before her visa expiry. She send the contract to LEA and got a response mentioning that they will process her request and get back to her and that the email serves as an extension proof.
Do you think this email actually allows my friend to keep staying in Germany until she hears back from LEA?
Hi Yemi,
Thank you for the comment
No, that email cannot be shown as proof of extension. You can show that email to get the extension. If the visa is expiring soon, they should send fiktion card which is a temporary residence permit. In case, she did not receive it, she can contact Auslandebehorde and ask for it mentioning that her Visa is expiring
Have a nice day!