Am I allowed to work in Germany as a student for a semester?

Question

I am an American citizen, and want to go to Germany for an exchange program, and will have trouble affording it, so it would be cool if I could work there in the meantime. Is that allowed?

Answer 1

I can't say if it is allowed, but I can surely say that it will be nearly impossible to find a job. We actually have a rather high unemployment rate here and finding a job is a full time job by itself.

Sorry, maybe there are better times ahead.

Answer 2

You mean a student exchange thing? Like in high school?

If so, don't worry about it. There are several options.

While you can't work, a few organizations have scholarships for you. I went to Japan for free.

Answer 3

Hi,

with a student visa you're usually not allowed to work, but there are exceptions to it.

You might be allowed towork on the campus for the University itself.

Furthermore there are some countries with bilateral agreements that will allow you to have some "student part time job" while studying in Germany.

Please check for the exact rules at the German foreign office.

Answer 4

I went to school in Germany about 10 years ago and my student visa specifically prohibited me from taking employment (I am Canadian but the American students had the same visa).  Now this may have changed because I know England and Denmark (live there now) allow students to work.  The best thing to do is simply call the German Embassy that you are dealing with.  They are usually pretty happy to answer those question.  They may even just have it on their website.

Answer 5

I was in Germany as an exchange student a few years back.. I'm an Indonesian and when I came there they prohibited us to find a job..

But somehow my friend said that if you take regular study program (not an exchange one), you can have a job.. There's some legal thing to do this.. Though, it's kinda hard to find one too.. well, maybe those (almost voluntary low-paid) jobs in the university

Good luck!

PS : And believe me, living as student in most part of Germany doesn't cost so much.. Don't worry too much! you wouldn't hardly run out of your money