BACIM
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I work on a Blue Card and my contract is ending. Do I need to tell the immigration office?

Yes. If your job ends early, you must tell the immigration office within 2 weeks. If you change jobs in the first 12 months, report that too. You may get a few months to look for a new job.

The 2-week rule applies whether you resign or are dismissed, and not only in the first year. In Berlin, the immigration office is the LEA (Landesamt für Einwanderung).

If you change jobs within the first 12 months, tell the LEA about that too. The LEA can take 30 days to review the change and can refuse it if the Blue Card conditions are not met. After the first year, changing jobs is easier.

When your job ends, you may be given a few months to find a new one. Some people say it is 3 or 6 months.

Whether you can get unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) depends on how long you have worked. Ask the Agentur für Arbeit (employment agency).

Where you can get help

This information is based on community experience and is not legal advice. Rules can change; check important things with the responsible office.

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