Work Permits for Spouses in Germany

Work Permits for Spouses

If your husband or wife wants to work in Germany, he or she should let that be known when applying for the visa. Spouces who accompany guest researchers can receive a limited residence permit and a working permit if they subbmit an application. This should be done as soon as possible so the application will be put in priority sequence.

Applications for work permits are made at the local employment center, and that’s best done right away, since the administration process can last several weeks. Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway can spare themselves this administrative legwork.

As of January 1, 2005 new rules will most likely be in place for spouces of guest researchers. The process of working in Germany will be made easier. If the guest researcher has unrestricted work allowence, the same will be for the family members who follow and their status will equal that as the guest researcher under law. Basically the one year waiting period is no longer part of the process.

For Phd Students / Master Students

If a Phd student wants to bring his / her Spouce to Germany, they can bring them as a Student or on a dependent visa. The rules are changed since 2008 beginning, now the Spouce should know German before applying for Visa and he / she should do atleast two basic courses in their native country.

This dependent visa will also applicable to those who have work permits.