Studying in Berlin: residence title, side jobs, and transition to work
For full-time studies at a state or state-recognized university, you need a residence permit for study under § 16b AufenthG. This also includes study-preparatory measures (e.g. Studienkolleg, university preparatory college) and a mandatory internship. On first issuance and extension, the permit is usually granted for two years, but at least for one year; if you take part in a Union or multilateral mobility program, it must be valid for at least two years. To prove secured means of subsistence, a blocked account (Sperrkonto) is usually required – for 2026 an amount of around 11,904 euros per year is cited.
In Berlin, the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA, State Office for Immigration) at the location Keplerstraße 2, 10589 Berlin is responsible for the application. Submit the extension application at the latest 8 weeks before your visa expires, or within 90 days if you entered visa-free; according to the available information, processing takes about 8 to 14 weeks.
Side job during studies: since the change in the law of 1 March 2024, students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year without separate permission (previously: 120 full / 240 half days). A half working day applies if working time on that day is no more than four hours; paid or unpaid vacation days and sick days do not count.
After studies: anyone who has successfully completed studies under § 16b or § 16c AufenthG can receive a residence permit for job search (Arbeitsplatzsuche) under § 20 AufenthG for up to 18 months. During this time, any gainful employment is permitted without separate permission, but you must be looking for employment that matches your qualification; self-employment also counts as a goal. Secured means of subsistence remain a requirement.
Not sure whether this route fits you or what comes first? We assess your situation for free and name the right contact points.
Reply by email, usually within two working days. Free, no legal advice in individual cases.
| Purpose of stay | per month | for the period to be covered | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree studies, Studienkolleg, pre-academic German course | 992 € | 11.904 € for one academic year (12 months) | § 16b AufenthG, § 2 Abs. 3 S. 5 AufenthG |
| Applying for a study place | 1.091 € | 9.819 € for the maximum period of 9 months | § 17 Abs. 2 AufenthG, § 2 Abs. 3 S. 6 AufenthG (992 € + 10 %) |
- The amounts apply to the 2026 calendar year. The Federal Ministry of the Interior sets them anew each year (section 2(3) sentence 7 Residence Act) – check which year a figure refers to.
- The amount can be lower: if rent and utilities are below 380 euros, or if employment subject to social insurance covers your health insurance (then 137 euros less).
- A blocked account is only one way to provide proof. A declaration of commitment (sections 66–68 Residence Act), a scholarship award or sufficient training or work pay count too.
Source: BMI-Bekanntmachung vom 13.08.2025, BAnz AT 29.08.2025 B1, zu § 2 Abs. 3 Satz 5 bis 7 AufenthG
- Present the university admissionFor the residence permit for study (§ 16b AufenthG), you must first have admission to full-time studies at a state, state-recognized, or comparable educational institution.
- Prove financingProve that your means of subsistence are secured, usually via a blocked account (for 2026 around 11,904 euros per year).
- Make an appointment at the LEA KeplerstraßeLandesamt für Einwanderung, Keplerstr. 2, 10589 Berlin (U7 Mierendorffplatz, bus M27). Electronic application to B1B2B3[at]lea.berlin.de or appointment via berlin.de/einwanderung/termine/termin-vereinbaren/. Appearing in person with fingerprinting and payment of fees is necessary.
- Apply for extension in good timeApply for the extension at the latest 8 weeks before the visa expires, or within 90 days if you entered visa-free. Expect a processing time of about 8 to 14 weeks.
- Keep track of your working-days accountCount your working days: 140 full or 280 half days per calendar year are permitted without separate approval. Beyond that you need permission.
- After graduation: apply for a residence permit for job searchApply to the LEA for the residence permit under § 20 AufenthG (up to 18 months) to look for a job appropriate to your qualification. During this time you may work without separate permission.
- The amount to be proven of 992 euros per month (11,904 euros for a study year) is official: it follows from § 2 Abs. 3 Satz 5 AufenthG in conjunction with the maximum BAföG rate and is published by the Federal Ministry of the Interior in the Bundesanzeiger for each calendar year (for 2026: announcement of 13.08.2025, BAnz AT 29.08.2025 B1). It applies nationwide, not only in Berlin. Pay attention to the year, however: the amounts are re-set each year by 31 August for the following year, and on 1 April 2027 the BAföG housing allowance rises – older information sheets of missions abroad therefore sometimes still state 934 or 1,027 euros.
- Processing time (8–14 weeks) and deadline information on the LEA extension application come from a university advice page (FU Berlin), not directly from berlin.de/einwanderung – there is no official Berlin confirmation of these figures.
- The 140/280-day rule applies to permission-free secondary employment; anyone who wants to work more additionally needs approval from the Ausländerbehörde (immigration authority) or the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). This exception rule itself has not been examined in detail.
In depth · Legal basis, figures and practice – for counsellors and professionals
Residence permit for study (§ 16b AufenthG)
For full-time studies at a state or state-recognized university or comparable educational institution, a residence permit under § 16b AufenthG is granted if the institution has admitted the applicant. The purpose of residence "study" also includes study-preparatory measures and a mandatory internship. On first issuance and extension, the permit is usually granted for two years, at least for one year; if the person takes part in a Union or multilateral mobility program or a university cooperation agreement applies, the period of validity must be at least two years. A further requirement is financing of the means of subsistence, in practice usually via a blocked account; for 2026, an amount of around 11,904 euros per year is cited for this.
Berlin implementation: LEA Keplerstraße
In Berlin, the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA, State Office for Immigration) processes student applications at a separate location: Keplerstr. 2, 10589 Berlin (U7 Mierendorffplatz, bus M27) – separate from the main location at Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24. The extension application should be submitted at the latest 8 weeks before the visa expires or, in the case of visa-free entry, within 90 days; electronic contact runs via B1B2B3[at]lea.berlin.de, followed by an invitation to an appointment. Appearing in person with fingerprinting and payment of fees is mandatory. The processing time is stated as 8 to 14 weeks – this information comes from a university advice page, not directly from the LEA itself, and is marked accordingly here.
Student jobs: the 140/280-day rule
With Article 2 of the Gesetz zur Weiterentwicklung der Fachkräfteeinwanderung (Act on the Further Development of Skilled Immigration), the number of working days permitted for international students without separate approval was raised as of 1 March 2024 from 120 full or 240 half days to 140 full or 280 half days per calendar year. A working day with up to four hours of working time counts as a half day, otherwise as a full day; alternatively, employment with 2.5 working days per calendar week can be credited to the working-time account. Paid or unpaid vacation and sick days do not count as working days. The calendar year is decisive for the annual period.
Transition from studies to work: job search under § 20 AufenthG
Anyone who has successfully completed studies during a stay under § 16b or § 16c AufenthG receives, on application, a residence permit for job search under § 20 AufenthG for up to 18 months. This permit serves exclusively to search for employment corresponding to the qualification – searching for self-employment also counts – and cannot be extended beyond the 18 months. During the search phase, any gainful employment is permitted without separate approval. Secured means of subsistence remain a requirement.
Federal law vs. Berlin implementation
The requirements for residence for study, side-job limits, and job search after studies are regulated by federal law in the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act) and apply equally throughout Germany. Berlin-specific are the place and process of application: the LEA location at Keplerstraße, the appointment practice there, and the stated (not officially confirmed) processing times.
- What is “Studying in Berlin” about?
- Residence permit for study under § 16b AufenthG, how many days students may work, and how the transition from studies to permanent employment under § 20 AufenthG works – with the Berlin LEA address for students.
- Which deadlines and figures matter?
- 140 full days / 280 half days per calendar year: Side-job working days permitted for students without separate approval (AufenthG, amended by Art. 2 of the Gesetz zur Weiterentwicklung der Fachkräfteeinwanderung (Act on the Further Development of Skilled Immigration), in force since 01.03.2024)
- up to 18 months: Residence permit for job search after completing studies, not extendable (§ 20 AufenthG)
- 8 weeks before visa expiry or 90 days after visa-free entry: Latest point for the extension application for the residence permit for study at the LEA Berlin (LEA practice in Berlin (information from FU Berlin, Welcome Service))
- 8–14 weeks: Stated processing time for applications at the LEA Keplerstraße location (LEA practice in Berlin (information from FU Berlin, Welcome Service))
- What should I do first?
- Present the university admission: For the residence permit for study (§ 16b AufenthG), you must first have admission to full-time studies at a state, state-recognized, or comparable educational institution.
- Prove financing: Prove that your means of subsistence are secured, usually via a blocked account (for 2026 around 11,904 euros per year).
- Make an appointment at the LEA Keplerstraße: Landesamt für Einwanderung, Keplerstr. 2, 10589 Berlin (U7 Mierendorffplatz, bus M27). Electronic application to B1B2B3[at]lea.berlin.de or appointment via berlin.de/einwanderung/termine/termin-vereinbaren/. Appearing in person with fingerprinting and payment of fees is necessary.
- What should I watch out for?
- The amount to be proven of 992 euros per month (11,904 euros for a study year) is official: it follows from § 2 Abs. 3 Satz 5 AufenthG in conjunction with the maximum BAföG rate and is published by the Federal Ministry of the Interior in the Bundesanzeiger for each calendar year (for 2026: announcement of 13.08.2025, BAnz AT 29.08.2025 B1). It applies nationwide, not only in Berlin. Pay attention to the year, however: the amounts are re-set each year by 31 August for the following year, and on 1 April 2027 the BAföG housing allowance rises – older information sheets of missions abroad therefore sometimes still state 934 or 1,027 euros.
- Processing time (8–14 weeks) and deadline information on the LEA extension application come from a university advice page (FU Berlin), not directly from berlin.de/einwanderung – there is no official Berlin confirmation of these figures.
- The 140/280-day rule applies to permission-free secondary employment; anyone who wants to work more additionally needs approval from the Ausländerbehörde (immigration authority) or the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). This exception rule itself has not been examined in detail.
Got a question about immigration or integration? Ask your question here! – we reply personally by email, usually within two working days. No legal advice in individual cases.