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People who stayed in Berlin/Germany after their Master studies, how did you do it?
How do we go about doing this really… I am in the final stages of my master degree, I am working a part time job and may be offered a full time contract in the coming months before I submit my thesis.
How do we go about doing this really complicated process?
Some people have told me that you get automatically ex matriculated when you submit your thesis, others have said it happens when your grades come out, others said you can submit and ex matriculate yourself even before the grades come out.
I am so confused!! How and when does the job seekers visa begin?
Any advice/info would be super helpful.
Thanks!
honestly the exmatriculation thing is a mess and it really depends on your uni. at HU they told me you're out the day you submit, but other friends at freie said they stayed enrolled until the last grade was in. just ask your prüfungsamt directly, they deal with this every day.
for the job seeker visa, the 18 months starts when your current permit ends, not when you graduate. so if your student visa runs til september and you finish in july, you still have til september to apply for the switch. but don't wait til the last minute, the LEA appointment slots are a nightmare rn.
one thing nobody told me: if your part time job is related to your degree, that time can count toward the 21 months for PR later. so keep that contract safe. also the full time offer you might get, if it's above the blue card threshold (around 43k for 2024) they can start the process while you're still enrolled, just need your degree certificate to finalize it
The key thing is that you don't automatically lose your student status the second you submit. You're technically still enrolled until you officially exmatriculate, which often happens when your final grades are entered or when you request it. Most people I know waited until they had the job contract signed before requesting exmatriculation, then immediately switched to the 18-month job seeker visa at the LEA (Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24).
For your situation with the full-time offer, the cleanest path is usually to finish your thesis, keep your part-time job and your student visa, then once you have the full-time contract in hand, go to the Ausländerbehörde to apply for a work permit under the Skilled Immigration Act. You don't need to use the job seeker visa at all if your employer can sponsor the work visa directly, which is much faster and doesn't have that 18-month clock ticking.
The key thing is that you're not automatically exmatriculated the moment you submit. Usually it happens when your final grades are officially entered, which can take weeks or even a couple months depending on your department and how fast your advisor submits the paperwork. You want to time it so your full-time contract starts after you've officially graduated and switched to the 18-month job seeker visa, not while you're still on a student visa that limits you to 120 full days or 240 half days per year.
For the job seeker visa, you go to the Landesamt fur Einwanderung in your district once you have your degree certificate in hand. You don't need to wait for the physical document, a printed confirmation from your university that you've passed everything is enough. The visa itself is straightforward to get, you just need proof of health insurance, enough savings or a blocked account (about 1,000 euros per month for the duration), and your passport.
One practical thing - if your potential employer is flexible, ask if they can start you on a Werkstudent contract until your student status officially ends. That way you're earning legally without overstepping visa limits, and you switch to full-time once the job seeker visa is approved. It's a common workaround here in Berlin and most companies with international employees are familiar with it.
Best Food in Berlin (2026)
Begin your culinary journey at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, a historic market hall buzzing with food stalls. Open Thursday to Saturday, it's the perfect spot to sample everythin… 🍽️ Where to Start
Begin your culinary journey at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, a historic market hall buzzing with food stalls. Open Thursday to Saturday, it's the perfect spot to sample everything from artisanal cheese to fresh pasta. Try the famous bratwurst at Konnopke's Imbiss, a classic currywurst stand under the U-Bahn tracks at Schönhauser Allee.
🥟 Must-Try Street Food
Currywurst is a Berlin icon, and the best is at Curry 36 in Kreuzberg (Mehringdamm 36), open daily until late. For a modern twist, head to Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap (Mehringdamm 32) for their legendary vegetable kebab, a local favorite with lines out the door. Prices range from 3 to 5 euros.
🍜 International Flavors
Berlin's food scene is incredibly diverse. For authentic Vietnamese pho, visit District Mot in Mitte (Torstraße 167), where bowls start at 10 euros. For Middle Eastern cuisine, try the Yemeni restaurant Bait Al Mandi in Neukölln (Karl-Marx-Straße 131), serving fragrant lamb mandi for around 12 euros.
🥨 Traditional German Fare
For hearty German classics, book a table at Zur Haxe in Friedrichshain (Wühlischstraße 1), known for its crispy pork knuckle and potato dumplings, mains around 15 euros. Another gem is Max und Moritz in Kreuzberg (Oranienstraße 162), a rustic pub serving schnitzel and sauerbraten since 1902, with mains from 12 to 18 euros.
🍰 Sweet Treats and Cafes
Indulge in Berlin's famous cheesecake at Café Einstein Stammhaus in Mitte (Kurfürstenstraße 58), a Viennese-style café open from 8 am. For a modern twist, visit Brammibal's Donuts in Neukölln (Weichselstraße 13), offering vegan donuts in flavors like matcha and salted caramel, around 4 euros each.
🌿 Vegetarian and Vegan Options
Berlin is a paradise for plant-based eaters. Try Kopps in Mitte (Linienstraße 94), a fine-dining vegan restaurant with a seasonal menu, mains around 18 euros. For casual eats, go to 1990 Vegan Living in Kreuzberg (Wiener Straße 22), serving Vietnamese-inspired bowls and pho for 10 to 12 euros.
🍺 Best Evening Spots
End your food tour at a traditional beer garden like Prater Garten in Prenzlauer Berg (Kastanienallee 7-9), open from April to September, serving hearty snacks and local beers. For a more modern vibe, head to Klunkerkranich on the rooftop of Neukölln Arcaden (Karl-Marx-Straße 66), offering panoramic views and a rotating selection of food trucks.
💶 Budget Tips
Eat like a local by hitting up the weekly street food markets, such as the one at Boxhagener Platz in Friedrichshain every Saturday, where you can grab a falafel wrap for 5 euros. Many restaurants offer Mittagstisch (lunch specials) from 11 am to 3 pm, with dishes like currywurst and fries for under 8 euros.
solid guide. i'd add that the döner scene is more than just mustafa's, even if that one is iconic. head to rüyam gemüse kebap in neukölln, their döner with grilled veggies and feta is around 7 euro and honestly beats the queue at mustafa's for me. the bread is baked fresh right there
for a real hidden gem, check out the breakfast at haus hiltl in mitte. it's a swiss-style spot with incredible homemade bircher muesli and fresh pastries, around 12 euro for a big plate. quiet in the mornings before the lunch rush hits, and the courtyard seating is lovely when it's warm
one thing the guide missed is the african food scene. try mokum in kreuzberg for a proper ethiopian platter with injera, the combo for two is about 25 euro and the berbere spice mix is unreal. get there early on weekends or you'll wait