I came through family reunification. Can I work, and do I need a separate permit?

Right to work: A residence permit for family reunification (Familiennachzug) allows you to work by law. You do not need a separate work permit or employer approval. The supplementary sheet (Zusatzblatt) of your residence card usually says «Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet»; you can show this to employers.

What kind of work: You can work full-time, part-time, in a Minijob, do an Ausbildung or be self-employed. If your profession is regulated (such as teacher or nurse), you still need recognition to work in that profession, but you can start other jobs straight away.

Benefits for your own residence status: Working and paying pension contributions builds up your own rights for a future settlement permit and citizenship application. If the marriage ends, your own income also makes it easier to keep your residence permit.

Support: You can register as a jobseeker with the Arbeitsagentur and get career advice and funding for courses. Integration courses and job-related language courses help you find work. Berlin also has career and job-entry programmes for migrant women.