Employment of foreign students during their studies

Foreign students who have a permanent residence permit do not require a special work permit. As a rule, international students may be employed for 140 full days (4 hours/week) or 280 half days (more than 4 hours/week) per year without the BA's approval.

The search for a student job is left to the job seeker. The International Office may not refer to external job exchanges and job offer sites.

Foreign students can be employed as student assistants. Like German students, students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland may work up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period. During the semester break, you can work without restriction.

Students from third countries (non-EU countries) who have a residence permit for the purpose of studying(§16b AufenthG).

General Information on working as an international student in Germany can be found in the Flyer of the "Deutsches Studierendenwerk".

Further information on current job opportunities can be found via Stellenwerk Dortmund: Job search as a student or research assistant.

In addition, international students from third countries have other prospects during or even before completing their studies in Germany in accordance with Section 16b (4) AufenthG:

1. You can take up full-time employment as a skilled worker(§ 18a,18b AufenthG) if the knowledge and skills you have acquired so far qualify you for this.
2. Instead of studying, you have the option of taking up qualified vocational training. Before taking up training, the (still) foreign student must apply for a residence permit to take up vocational training from the competent authority. Further information can be found here.