Am I allowed to work with my residence permit?
Every residence permit states whether and to what extent you are allowed to work. There are the following constraints/requirements:
- Gainful employment/occupation permitted:
With this requirement, you are allowed to take up every kind of self-employed and employed occupation.
- Occupation of any kind permitted. Self-employed work not permitted:
With this requirement, you are allowed to take up any employed occupation but you are not allowed to start any self-employed work. In case you should intend to register a trade, you may ask the competent aliens (registration) authority for the requirements under which you may be allowed to take up the intended self-employed work.
- Occupation only upon approval by the aliens (registration) authority. Self-employed gainful employment/occupation not permitted:
With this requirement, you are required to have your potential employer fill out a so-called "job description" which you get at the aliens (registration) authority before taking up an employed work. The aliens (registration) authority will then forward this job description to the competent Federal Employment Agency which will examine whether you may be allowed to take up this occupation.
- Special case during a course of studies: Occupation of up to 90 days or 180 half days per year (not more than four hours per day), working in secondary student jobs as well as serving of internships which are mandatory elements of the studies or required for the completion of the course of studies permitted.
A separate work permit will not be issued. In case your employer should have questions regarding the extent of work you are allowed to do, he/she may ask the competent aliens (registration) authority for information.
