Update on 18 March 2023

Public access to Berlin Landesamt für Einwanderung (Berlin Immigration Office) is currently restricted and only possible by appointment! Please note that express appointments are NOT offered anymore! Here you can find further information.

The Berlin Landesamt für Einwanderung has a new E-Mail! If you cannot find an appointment and you are about to finish your studies, you can send all documents for the residence permit for the purpose of studying directly to the following address: B1B2B3@lea.berlin.de. Please note that due to the war in Ukraine, the LEA needs 6 weeks to 8 weeks to process your application!

Update on 18 March 2023

If you want to work in Germany after graduating from UdK Berlin, you must change your residence permit, even if it only expires after your graduation. This is because the purpose of your residence permit is no longer fulfilled after graduation.

We therefore recommend that you apply in due time for a residence permit for job-seeking qualified skilled workers – Issuance (c) (former residence permit for university graduates looking for employment). Please note that this residence permit is granted for a maximum of 18 months and that this period begins on the day of your last examination.

In order to gain time, we advise you to book an appointment online on the website of the Berlin Landesamt für Einwanderung before your graduation. You can submit a confirmation of successful completion including grades and date of examination instead of your certificates (please ask your contact person at IPA). The required documents for this permit are listed on the website of the Berlin Landesamt für Einwanderung.

During your job search, you are allowed to do any kind of work (including internships and freelance work) or found a company. However, these activities must match your qualification in a certain art sector .

If you are interested in freelance work or in starting a business, please contact the Career & Transfer Service Center (CTC) of UdK Berlin. They offer students and alumni of UdK Berlin free workshops, individual counselling and coaching for business start-ups (up to 5 years after graduation).

At the bottom of this page you will find detailed information on possible residence permits after your studies (see download).

If you wish to continue your studies at UdK Berlin or at another German university (Master's, Diploma, PhD, etc.), you must apply for an extension of your residence permit for the purpose of studying at the Landesamt für Einwanderung of your place of study.

If you need an apostille for your degrees and certificates at UdK, please contact the following staff members. Documents with apostille must then be certified by the Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO).

Last update on 07.06.19

You can find an overview of your options after graduating from UdK Berlin in the PDF presentation "Should I stay... or should I go? Prospects for non-EU graduates of UdK Berlin".