In its second round of immigration and visa regulations, Germany has announced some good news for international students and trainees for working rights. The new changes are in action straight from March 2024.
Germany is a hub of quality and free higher education all over the world. Students from many developing countries make use of the opportunities. According to new rules, they will be able to work more whilst studying in Germany.
Students staying in Germany for preparatory university courses will also be able to work during their stay in the country.
The same is true for the newly available trainee programs and apprenticeships which are now becoming famous day by day. This will also allow the participants to work more hours annually to earn extra money.
Expanded options for part-time employment for trainees
In the future, part-time work of up to 20 hours per week will be possible for all vocational training courses.
Expanded stay options to search for a training place
Third-country nationals can also continue to enter the country to look for a training place. Now interested applicants till the age of 35 can benefit from this visa program. Previously, it was set as 25 years of age at maximum. The required German Language requirement is also now at the B1 level instead of the previously implemented B2.
This trainee visa will also allow the trainees to work part-time (20 hours per week). The trial employment can last up to two weeks.
This means that a larger group of third-country nationals will be able to stay to look for a training place. The previous maximum stay of six months will be increased to nine months.
More employment opportunities for foreign students
Part-time employment in Germany for students will be of more value now. Foreign students studying in Germany can now work more during their studies. It means they can now work 140 full or 280 half-working days annually. Previously it was set as 120 full or 240 half days annually.
Alternatively, the new regulation allows working student jobs for up to 20 hours a week. The amount of the salary and the subject of the employment does not play any role. In the future, part-time employment will also be possible from the start when attending study preparation measures.
Staying in Germany to look for a place at a university with job prospects
Entry and staying to apply to study at German universities remains possible for third-country nationals. What is new is that it is possible to have a part-time job for 20 hours a week while looking for a place at university.