Yara_Community Manger

Updated:

Visa & Residence

Application permanent residence permit

This question has reached us from Riddhy916

Hallo I have a question regarding application for permanent residence permit and counting of the residency durations.

I have been living in Germany since April 3, 2015. I came here on a student visa and graduated with my first degree at the end of March 2018. After that, I was on a job-hunting visa for 1.5 years under section 20 and worked during that time.

I then started my second degree in October 2019 and I am still a student and continuing my studies under the current student visa. I have already paid pension insurance contributions for more than 60 months. I would like to know, when I apply for the settlement permit, I know the the study period count as half of it.

But what about the 1.5 year job seeker visa that I had under Section 20 from April 2018 to September 2019, where I also worked.

Does this count as residence or full-time or part-time when applying for a permanent residence permit or settlement permit according to Section 9?

I am eagerly awaiting your reply,

Kind regards,

Rid

14 Comments

Reply (14)

Yara_Community Manger

Updated:

Hello @Riddhy916 ,

thank you for your question and for your patience.  

I hope that I understand your question correctly that you are asking if the residence for job seeking counts as "half time" for the requirement of 5 year residency? Or do you mean if it counts towards your pension insurance contribution? In general, you can apply for the permanent residency permit after living in Germany with a valid residency permit for 5 years continuously. You mentioned you have moved here with a student visa in 2015 and have since then always had a residency permit. As far as I am aware, the time on the job seeking visa counts as full time.
You are correct only half of your study period is counted.
 It’s also great that you full fill the 60months of contributions to the pension insurance. There are also other requirements for the permanent residency such as having B2 German and being able to cover ones livelihood. You can find a comprehensive list and more information on the permanent residence permit here: https://handbookgermany.de/en/permanent-residence-migrants.

 If you would like to receive help with your application I can also look for a counseling center near you if you let me know your post code.   Feel free to message me if anything is unclear or you have further questions.
Best wishes

Riddhy916

Updated:

Hallo Yara Almunaizel, Thank you for your response. Yes I would very much like for a counselling center. My Postcode is 12489 and would like to receive help when I apply. I have paid more than 60 months pension contributions from my salary and preparing for B1 language exam. Will be eagerly waiting for your reply. Kind Regards, Mozammel

Yara_Community Manger

Updated:

Hello @Riddhy916 , thank you for your for telling me your postcode. Sorry for not clarifying that I also need the name of the city. Would be great if you can let me know the city so I can search for a counseling center for you. Alternatively, you can also search for one yourself using the BAMF navi: https://bamf-navi.bamf.de/en/Themen/Migrationsberatung/ Best wishes

Riddhy916

Updated:

Hallo Yara, Thank you for your reply. I am living in Berlin in the Bezirk Treptow Kopenick now. Eagerly waiting for your reply. Kind Regards, Mozammel Q

Yara_Community Manger

Hallo @Riddhy916 , thanks for specifying. I have found the following centers that can help you with your application. You can receive help via phone, e-mail or in person. You need to make an appointment beforehand, if you would like in person counseling. They are open between: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you contact them by e-mail please include. You will need to include the following: Your complete personal details (surname, first name, date of birth), your nationality and (if available) your residence permit number. You can find their contact details here: https://www.berlin.de/einwanderung/service/beratung/artikel.939879.php . There is also the counselling for adult migrants located in Köpenick. You can phone or write them to receive an appointment and further advice. https://www.abw-berlin.de/de/topic/25.beratung-f%C3%BCr-migrant-innen.h… . Please let me know if you were able to receive help or if you have any other questions. Best wishes

Riddhy916

Dear Yara, Thank you so much for your help and support. I will contact them accordingly. Currently I am in Vacation. I will hopefully contact them by the end of this month. Kind Regards, Riddhy916

Yara_Community Manger

Dear @Riddhy916 , enjoy your vacation! Best wishes

Yara_Community Manger

Updated:

Hello @Riddhy916 , I have some additional information. As far as I know it is unfortunately not possible to change from a student residency to a permanent residency directly. You can change to the permanent residency once you have received a job after your studies. The job should match your area of studies as well. Please also discuss this with the migration center near you. Best wishes

Dear Yara, my current situation has some similarities to rddhy916. I have closely read through both of your messages. Just so that I am clear on my issue... I completed my master's studies in December 2022 and received a job-search visa for 18 months. I have for the past 12 months had no success in finding a job related to my study. Neither do I qualify for other skilled jobs. So I decided to start a new career path that has job prospects here. Can I apply for an ausbildung with my remaining 6 months job-search visa? If not, what are my options? Can the residency officials issue a different visa or permit that allows me to start a new career? Can my current visa be extended to enable me to successfully apply and start an ausbildung? Lastly, I have been considering the option of applying for permanent residency. You replied riddhy916 that 'it is unfortunately not possible to change from a student residency to a permanent residency directly'. Is my current residency also deemed a 'student residency'?

Yara_Community Manger

Hi @AJ , thank you for your comment, I saw that you also posted the exact same question in the forum. You can find my answer here: https://together-in-germany.de/en/thread/options-keep-staying-germany-a… In general you can only be eligible for the permanent residence after you have worked as a skilled worker for two years. Best wishes

Yara_Community Manger

Hello @Riddhy916 , I hope you enjoyed your vacation, please let me know if you were able to reach the counseling center? Your feedback would be of great value for the community. Best wishes

Yara_Community Manger

Hello @Riddhy916 , I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to give you an update. I mentioned before that the time of your studies counts fully, I just wanted to confirm that you were right, the study period is counted as "half" for obtaining the residence permit.
The same goes for vocational training. I will also edit my answer above.
If you have any other questions let us know.
Best wishes

Riddhy916

Dear Yara,

Thank you for your reply. Just wanted to reconfirm with you. So the 1.5 years that I spent on Job Search Visa will be counted as full time residency?

Also this link you posted for consultation does not work.

https://www.berlin.de/einwanderung/service/beratung/artikel.939879.php

Can you give me a new link please.

Kind Regards,

Mozammel Quddus

Yara_Community Manger

Dear @Riddhy916 , thank you for your reply.

Yes, the time for the job seeking residence should count fully. You can read more on the Niederlassungserlaubnis here: https://handbookgermany.de/en/permanent-residence-migrants
I am sorry the link does not work. You can try this link to search for a suitable counselling center in Berlin: https://beratungsnetz-migration.de/list/l/en?s=1

You mentioned you are in Köpenick. Were you able to reach this counselling center that I linked? https://www.abw-berlin.de/de/topic/25.beratung-f%C3%BCr-migrant-innen.html

Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Best wishes

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