Switching from a student visa to a work visa

Question

Hello, I am currently in Germany studying masters and I have a type D student visa and I am in my first semester. I wanted to ask: if I found a full-time job and I meet all the company’s requirements, is it possible/legal to switch from a student visa to a work visa? Or do I have to go back to home country and apply? Keeping in mind that I will drop out of university if there is a possibility for the switch. Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

Hi @Julie,

It is possible to change from a student visa to a work visa, even if you drop out of university. The German government changed the regulations on such cases as part of a law it passed called the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz in 2020.

Please bear in mind that a work visa can only be issued for job that require a qualification, generally a university degree or formal vocational training (Ausbildung). If you have a foreign qualification, it may need to be recognised. For some nationalities there are exceptions to this rule.

Best,

Éanna