Job Seeker Visa Start Date for Students with Pending ECTS

Hi Kunjan,

To be eligible for the job search residence permit (the so‑called Job Seeker Visa / Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche), you must have successfully completed your studies i.e., fulfilled the degree requirements (ECTS, thesis, exams). Simply submitting your thesis without meeting all credit requirements and passing it isn’t considered completed.

1. Application is required: You need to apply for the job seeker residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde (or from abroad at a German embassy). It doesn’t start automatically after submitting your thesis or finishing 120 ECTS.
2. Eligibility depends on degree completion:  Immigration authorities require proof that you have successfully completed your studies (all ECTS and thesis passed). Exmatriculation itself does not trigger eligibility; what matters is completion.
3. Switching residence purpose in Germany: If you are already in Germany on a student permit, you can apply to change the purpose of your residence permit to job search without leaving the country. Check here for more detailed info: https://handbookgermany.de/en/changing-residence-title
4. General overview of the job seeker permit: For the requirements and details on how this visa works, you can check here: https://handbookgermany.de/en/visa-jobseekers 

In short: wait until your degree is officially completed, then apply for the permit. The start date will depend on when it is issued, not automatically from exmatriculation or thesis submission.

Wishing you all the best,

Violeta