Clarification on Counting Working Student Experience Towards Permanent Residency Eligibility
Dear Community,
I am seeking advice on the eligibility criteria for the Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit) in Germany. Specifically, I would like to understand how my previous employment as a working student influences my eligibility.
Background:
• EU Blue Card Holder: Since November 2023, I have been employed in a qualified position under the EU Blue Card program.
• Prior Experience: From October 2021 to October 2023, I worked as a working student, earning over €1,000 per month which I assume has social contributions.
• Language Proficiency: I possess German language skills at the A1 level and am currently preparing for the “Leben in Deutschland” exam.
Inquiries:
1. Recognition of Working Student Period: Does the time I spent working as a working student count towards the required period for obtaining a permanent residence permit?
2. Eligibility Timeline: Based on my employment history and current status, when would I be eligible to apply for permanent residency?
3. Accelerating the Process: Are there any additional steps I can take to expedite my eligibility for permanent residency?
I appreciate any insights or experiences you can share regarding these questions.
Thank you in advance for your assistance! 😊
Best regards,
Zach
Welcome to the forum, @ZacharyOcto
You have already achieved a lot – congratulations!
It is correct that, as an EU Blue Card holder, you have easier conditions for applying for a permanent residence permit (PR). There are two possible options:
Unfortunately, your working student experience does not count if you want to apply for a PR earlier as a Blue Card holder, since back then you did not match all the requirements. Nevertheless, as a Blue Card holder, the fastest way to obtain permanent residence is to improve your German to B1 level. This way, you could apply for a permanent residency already in August 2025 after 21 months.
You can find more information about permanent residence permit and its requirements on Handbook Germany.
I wish you all the best! Please let me know if you have further questions.