Study is the scientific or professional training provided directly by a university or technical school. This education must be completed as part of a full-time course of study. "Ordinary students" are therefore those students who devote most of their time and energy to their studies.

Student jobs are part-time jobs! This means that your studies are your main employment. For your part-time job, this means that your weekly working hours - regardless of your earnings - should not exceed 20 hours under any circumstances (unless it is exclusively during the lecture-free period) and must not interfere with your success in your studies.

You are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year in Germany, according to § 16 paragraph 3 AufenthG.

Please note:  more detailed regulations on which activities you are allowed to perform can be found on the supplementary sheet to your residence permit/permit.

If you wish to work more than 120 full or 240 half days in a job, you must have this approved by the Foreigners' Registration Office. For this purpose, a concrete job offer with details on the duration and location of the working hours and salary/wage is required. The Foreigners Authority then decides on the application together with the Employment Agency. The authority can refuse permission if the work endangers the success of the studies.

You can use up the 120 whole or 240 half days free of approval either in one piece  during the semester break as part of a short-term employment such as a vacation helper or during the lecture period as a working student on a daily basis.

Short-term employment is deemed to exist if the activity does not exceed three months (at a stretch) or a total of 70 working days (spread over the year) within a calendar year, either by contract in advance or by its nature. The three-month period is only to be assumed if the mini-job is performed on at least five days a week. Employment of regularly less than five days per week (e.g. B one works only 2 or 3 days per week) is called short-term employment if the activity is not carried out for more than 70 working days per year.

Working students are students who work for a company in addition to their studies in order to earn a living or gain practical experience. In this way, students have the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge from their studies in a practical way and can also establish contacts in the company. In addition, the practical knowledge and work experience gained can have a positive effect on possible employment later on.

Part-time student jobs as a research assistant at a university or scientific institution can be carried out without any time limit. However, they must not be so extensive as to jeopardize the success of the studies. These are any employment for pay that is performed in addition to the studies of students at a university or at a scientific institution. These are, for example, academic assistants at institutes, chairs, or at departments. Jobs at the Studentenwerk or the AStA are also included. Due to their close connection to academic work, the days worked there do not count towards the 120 full days or 240 half days. 

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