Changing Visa Type in Germany: How and When Can You Change Your Visa or Residence Purpose

In this guide we will explain what a change of purpose means, how it differs from changing a visa, when a switch is legally permitted without leaving the country, and what documents are required.

Understanding the Change of Visa or Residence Purpose in Germany

This section explores the crucial legal concept of changing one's immigration status while already residing in Germany. This is a complex area, often referred to as the "change of purpose," and understanding the legal definitions and differences between types of permits is necessary.

Definition of “Change of Purpose” under German Immigration Law

The "change of purpose" refers to switching the primary activity or reason for which an international was initially granted entry or a residence title in Germany.

Every visa or residence title is granted for a specific purpose (studying, employment as a skilled worker, family reunification, asylum). The purpose is integral to the permit.

Generally, a foreign national is required to leave Germany and apply for a new visa from abroad if they wish to change to a fundamentally different residence purpose.

However, the law provides several exceptions where you can apply for the new residence title while staying in Germany with your current permit. These exceptions allow a switch from a temporary purpose (like studies) to a more permanent one (like employment) or from one type of employment to another.

For instance, changing your status from a Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zu Studienzwecken) to a Residence Permit for Skilled Employment (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Beschäftigung als Fachkraft) is a classic change of purpose.

Difference Between Changing a Visa and Changing a Residence Title

While both terms relate to your right to stay in Germany, they refer to different stages and types of legal documentation.

Changing a Visa

The visa (visum) refers to the sticker placed in your passport, issued by a German embassy or consulate abroad. It grants entry into Germany (and the Schengen Area) and an initial short-term stay (usually 3 to 6 months).

This is why you cannot technically change a visa's purpose within Germany. The visa is just the prerequisite for applying for the full residence title at the local Foreigners' Authority (Ausländerbehörde) after arrival.

This applies to National D visas. On the other hand, short-stay (Schengen) visas generally cannot be extended or changed to a residence title in Germany, though there are rare exceptions for major force incidents, which will be detailed below.

Changing a Residence Title

A residence Title (or Aufenthaltstitel) refers to the actual permission to stay in Germany for a specific, longer duration. It's issued within Germany by the local Foreigners' Authority (Ausländerbehörde).

It can be a temporary Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), an EU Blue Card, or a permanent Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis).

This is where the change of purpose occurs. You are applying for a new type of residence title (with a different purpose) while holding a valid existing one. For example, applying for the EU Blue Card (Employment) when you currently hold a Residence Permit for Studies.

How to Apply for a Residence Purpose Conversion in Germany

Once you have determined that you are eligible to change your residence purpose (or "convert" your residence title) without leaving Germany, the next step is navigating the application process at the local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde). Preparation and timely action are crucial for a smooth transition.

Eligibility for Changing Residence Status Inside Germany

The ability to switch from one residence title purpose (for instance, studies) to a different one (for instance, employment) without having to exit Germany and apply for a new visa is granted under specific exceptions in the Residence Act.

You are eligible to apply for a new residence title from within Germany if:

• You hold a long-term, specific-purpose residence title (like a permit for study, vocational training, research, or family reunification) and the new purpose leads to a skilled employment or permanent status.
• Your existing residence title allows the change. Some permits are granted with the understanding that a conversion will follow upon meeting certain milestones (such as finishing your degree and then applying for a job seeker's permit).
• You meet all the criteria for the new residence title. The Foreigners' Office checks if you satisfy the requirements for the status you are applying for, such as a recognized university degree, qualified vocational training, a specific job offer with an appropriate salary (for employment-based permits).
• You submit your application before your current residence title expires. If your application is submitted on time, your existing status is legally maintained (Fiktionsbescheinigung) until the new one is processed, allowing you to stay legally.

You generally cannot change the purpose of a Schengen Visa (short-stay, up to 90 days) or a status that is only a tolerated stay. The process applies to long-term residence titles.

Required Documents for Visa Type Conversion

The required documents depend entirely on the new residence title you are applying for. However, every application for a status conversion will require a set of core documents:

• Valid passport and current residence title (eAT card + supplementary sheet)
• Application form (Antrag auf Erteilung …)
• Biometric passport photo
• Proof of address registration (Anmeldebestätigung)
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Proof of health insurance (Krankenversicherung)
• Old residence permit/visa documents
• New purpose documentation (e.g., employment contract, university admission, etc.)

Booking an Appointment at the Local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde)

Appointments at the Ausländerbehörde are often the most challenging part of the process, particularly in major German cities.

Most offices require you to book your appointment through their official online appointment portal. Search for "city name Ausländerbehörde Termin buchen". You should also start checking for appointments well in advance, ideally 6 to 8 weeks before your current residence title expires. Many offices release new slots early in the morning.

If you submit your application (even if only by email or post) or book an appointment before your current permit expires, and the appointment is scheduled after the expiry date, you will be issued a Fictional Certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung). This certificate temporarily extends your existing legal status, allowing you to stay legally until your appointment.

Processing Time and Possible Outcomes

The processing time for a residence purpose conversion can vary based on the city, the complexity of the case, and the type of new title. Processing can take anywhere from 4 weeks to several months. Employment-based permits like the EU Blue Card often have faster processing times.

However, your legal stay is guaranteed by the Fiktionsbescheinigung during this wait time, but your ability to travel abroad may be limited (always confirm travel restrictions with the Ausländerbehörde).

There are a few possible outcomes when it comes to the change:

Scenario 1 - Approval and Issuance: Your application is approved. You will be asked to collect your new electronic Residence Title (elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel - eAT) card.

Scenario 2 - Request for Additional Documentation: The case worker may require further evidence (e.g., proof of higher salary, more detailed job description, or a new document translation). This is a very common interim step.

Scenario 3 - Rejection: The application is denied, usually if you do not meet the core legal requirements for the new residence title. You will receive a formal written decision that includes information on how to file an objection (Widerspruch) or appeal the decision.

Converting a Schengen Visa to a Residence Permit

Converting a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) into a long-term residence permit (Type D) while inside Germany is one of the most misunderstood areas of immigration law.

Many foreign nationals hope to transition from a tourist or visit stay to a work, study, or family-based residence permit without leaving the country, but German law places strict limits on this possibility.

We will clarify what is (and is not) legally allowed and outlines the correct procedure when a direct conversion is not possible.

Possibility of Converting a Schengen or Tourist Visa to a Work Permit

In most cases, a Schengen visa cannot be converted into any long-term residence permit, including a work permit, EU Blue Card, student residence permit, or family reunification permit. The Schengen visa is issued exclusively for short-term stays like tourism, business visits, or family visits, for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.

However, there are very rare exceptions where a conversion to a residence permit may be granted without leaving Germany. These exceptions apply only in exceptional humanitarian or legal circumstances, for example:

• Major force situations, where you are unable to leave Germany due to unforeseeable factors such as border closures or medical emergencies.
• Serious personal hardship or urgent humanitarian reasons.
• When you are legally entitled to a specific residence permit, and the law explicitly allows the permit to be issued from within Germany (certain family reunification scenarios under very specific conditions).
• If you are a citizen of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea, you don’t technically require a Schengen visa, you can come into the country visa-free and set up residence in Germany.

Why a Direct Conversion Is Usually Not Allowed

German immigration law is designed around the principle that each residence purpose must be declared and reviewed before entering Germany, not afterward. This principle is embedded in the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz) and serves to:

• Ensure pre-entry checks, especially for employment (salary limits, qualifications recognition)
• Prevent misuse of short-stay visas, such as entering as a tourist but intending to stay long-term
• Maintain clear separation between Schengen stays and national residence titles, which are legally distinct categories

Because of this structure, entering on a tourist visa and attempting to convert it into a work visa is nearly always refused.

Alternative: Applying for a National Visa From Your Home Country

If you want to work, study, conduct research, join your spouse, or pursue any long-term purpose in Germany, the standard legal pathway is to leave Germany before your Schengen visa expires, submit a national visa application in your home country , and only then return to Germany with the correct long-term entry visa.

This will allow you to apply for the full residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde after arrival. By following these steps, you secure legal stay and you avoid the high risk of rejection inside Germany, some embassies process national visas more quickly than German offices process change-of-purpose requests, and you arrive in Germany fully eligible to start employment or studies without complications.

Changing a Student Residence Permit to a Work or Job Seeker Visa

International students in Germany often plan to stay after graduation, either to begin their professional careers or to search for employment.

German immigration law supports this transition, making the switch from a Student Residence Permit (§ 16b AufenthG) to a Work Permit, EU Blue Card, or Job Seeker Visa (§ 20 AufenthG) one of the most common and straightforward “change of purpose” while in Germany scenarios.

Eligibility After Completing Studies in Germany

You are eligible to change your student residence permit to a work-based residence permit or a job seeker visa as soon as you successfully complete your degree or recognized qualification in Germany.

EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG)

You must have a recognized German university degree or equivalent, a concrete job offer relevant to your field, and a salary that meets the annual Blue Card minimum threshold, which as of 2025 is €48,300.

The EU Blue Card is one of the faster ways to secure permanent residence in Germany.

Skilled Worker Residence Permit (§ 18b (1) AufenthG)

To qualify for a skilled worker residence permit, you must have a German higher education degree (or recognized foreign equivalent), a job offer in a field related to your studies, and an appropriate salary and working conditions according to German labor standards.

Job Seeker Visa for Graduates (§ 20 (3) AufenthG)

You may apply for a job seeker visa only if you just completed a degree at a German higher education institution, you have not yet found a job, and you can prove sufficient financial means for the entire job search period (with a Blocked Account or declaration of commitment).

Permits under § 20 (3) are issued for up to 18 months, allowing you to search for employment while staying legally in Germany.

You should be aware that you must have completed your studies, you must apply before your student permit expires, and the new employment must match the qualification gained during your studies (relevance is checked).

This is different from an Opportunity Card, and you must have held a student permit before applying for the job seeker visa.

Documents Required for Switching From Study to Employment

The required documentation depends on whether you are applying for a work permit or a job seeker visa. However, the Foreigners’ Office typically requires the following core documents for both pathways:

• Valid passport
• Current Student Residence Permit (eAT card + Zusatzblatt)
• Biometric passport photo
• Completed application form for the new residence title
• Proof of address registration (Meldebescheinigung)
• Proof of valid health insurance
• Proof of financial means (varies by permit type)

If applying for a work-based residence permit, you will need an employment contract or binding job offer, and if you are applying for the EU Blue Card, you should also have salary documentation confirming you meet the minimum.

If applying for a job seeker visa, you will need:

• Degree completion document
• Detailed German CV
• Job search plan or explanation of intended employment path
• Proof of sufficient financial means

Transition Period Between Graduation and New Residence Title

There is often a gap between the day you finish your studies and the day your new work or job seeker permit is issued. German law provides a clear legal mechanism to ensure continuous status:

1. You remain legally in Germany as long as you apply on time

If you submit your application before your student permit expires, your legal status is automatically extended. You will typically receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung (fictional certificate), which:

• Confirms you may stay legally in Germany
• Allows employment in Germany, in a relevant field tied to your degree
• Serves as proof of status until the new residence permit is issued

2. Working immediately after graduation

Once you apply for a work permit or EU Blue Card and receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung with work authorization, you may begin the job stated in your contract even before receiving the physical eAT card.

3. If you need time to find a job

You can apply for the 18-month Job Seeker Visa immediately after completing your degree. This permit allows you to stay legally in Germany, work in any job (part-time only) to support yourself, and search for employment in your qualified field

Applying for a Skilled Worker or EU Blue Card Residence Title

If you want to change your residence permit title, applying for an EU Blue Card or a skilled worker title is one of the easiest paths, provided that you meet the qualification requirements and that your new employment aligns with your professional background.

Eligibility for Switching to a Skilled Worker Title (§ 18a, § 18b)

The rules differ slightly depending on whether you are applying under § 18a (Skilled Workers with Vocational Training) or § 18b (Skilled Workers with Academic Degrees).

You are typically eligible to apply for a skilled worker residence title from within Germany if you possess a recognized qualification or if your employment offer matches your qualification.

Besides the job offer, don’t forget you must also demonstrate:

• Valid health insurance coverage
• Secured livelihood (proof that you can support yourself through employment)
• A valid passport and current residence title
• Application submission before the expiry of the current permit

This change of purpose is one of the most straightforward when applicants have completed studies or vocational training in Germany, but it is also possible for individuals holding other types of residence titles.

Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Employment Requirements

The recognition of your qualifications is a central requirement for both the Skilled Worker Permit and the EU Blue Card. Germany maintains strict standards to ensure that foreign degrees and vocational credentials correspond to German qualifications.

To qualify, your degree must be:

• German,
• Comparable to a German degree according to the Anabin database,

OR

• Individually recognized by the Central Office for Foreign Education.

For the EU Blue Card, the job must also be aligned with the academic qualification, and the salary must meet the annual minimum threshold set by the government.

However, if you are applying as a skilled worker with vocational training, the training must be either German, or formally recognized as equivalent.

This process often requires submitting certificates, professional experience documentation, translations, and sometimes undergoing a skills evaluation. For regulated professions such as healthcare or education, full recognition and licensing may be mandatory before employment.