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.
- 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 blocked-account amount for 2026 (around 11,904 euros per year) comes from secondary sources, not from a primary source such as the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) – check the current amount directly with the competent mission abroad or the LEA before applying.
- The 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 – they were not confirmed against an official LEA page. No official Berlin primary source confirming these figures is available.
- 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 was not 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.
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