Already in Berlin?

Changing status, working during the process, staying long term, citizenship, free help.

If something changed

• Studies finished: § 20 AufenthG gives up to 18 months to look for a job matching your degree.
• Applying for a permit while here: § 81 AufenthG. A Schengen visa does not create a "fictional" lawful stay when you apply (§ 81 (4) sentence 2). Pending applications under § 81 (3) do not permit work; work is allowed only through § 81 (5a), from the moment the issuing of the document has been arranged. Ask LEA in writing.
• Job lost: talk to LEA before the permit expires, not after. Benefit entitlement depends on your permit; ask an advice centre.
• Training place lost through no fault of your own: up to 6 months to find a new one (Ausbildung).
• Switching route is normally done at LEA from inside Germany.

Staying long term

• Settlement permit: § 9 after 5 years; skilled workers under § 18c (1) with B1 (§ 18c); Blue Card holders after 27 months, or 21 months with B1.
• German citizenship: after 5 years (§ 10 StAG). The 3-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256). Multiple citizenship has been allowed since 27 June 2024. Tunisian rules on keeping Tunisian citizenship: ask the Tunisian consulate in Berlin.

Free help in Berlin

• Willkommenszentrum Berlin: orientation in several languages.
• MBE: free advice for adult migrants.
• BEMA (Beratungsstelle für Migration und Gute Arbeit): free advice on employment rights. Go here if you are paid less than agreed, work unpaid hours or your employer keeps your passport.