Applying for a work permit for international students

The main purpose of the residence permit for international students is to study. If you come from certain countries, you are only permitted to work within strict limits:

• a maximum of 140 days or 280 half-days in a calendar year
• part-time student work
  This is usually carried out at universities and other academic institutions. This also includes, for example, university-related work in organisations affiliated with universities.

This is also stated on your residence permit.

In all other cases, the relevant authority must authorise you to take up employment or an internship.

This applies, for example, to

• taking up gainful employment on a larger scale during the semester holidays or due to a financial emergency, or
• undertaking work placements, even if you are not paid for them. This does not apply to work placements that are prescribed in study or examination regulations or are demonstrably necessary to achieve the educational objective.

Please note: You may only start working once you have received authorisation from the relevant authority.

If you are a national of an EU or EEA country, you may work without restriction.