Applying for a work permit for foreign students

The main purpose of the residence permit for foreign students is to study. If you come from certain countries, you may only work within narrow limits:

• a maximum of 140 days or 280 half days per calendar year
• student part-time jobs
  These are generally carried out at universities and other academic institutions. This also includes, for example, university-related activities in university-affiliated organisations.

This is also stated in your residence permit.

In all other cases, the competent authority must authorise the employment or internship.

This applies, for example, to

• taking up employment on a larger scale during the semester break or due to a financial emergency situation or
• completing an internship, even if you are not paid for it. This does not apply to internships that are prescribed in the study or examination regulations or are demonstrably necessary to achieve the educational objective.

Please note: You may only work once you have received authorisation from the competent authority.

If you are a national of an EU or EEA country, you can work without restrictions.