If I don't find a job on a job-seeker permit, can I start a master's and switch to a student permit?

Legal changes that came into force on 1 March 2024 made switching between permit types (Zweckwechsel) much easier. If you meet the requirements, the student residence permit (§ 16b AufenthG) is a legal entitlement; since you already have a residence permit, you can apply from within Germany, at the LEA in Berlin.

What you need:

• A letter of admission or certificate of enrolment for a full-time programme at a recognised institution.
• Proof that you can support yourself: €992 a month in 2026 (€11,904 a year). The most common way is a blocked account (Sperrkonto); a scholarship or someone's formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung) is also accepted.
• Student health insurance and a valid passport.

Timing is crucial: Apply before your job-seeker permit expires. If you apply on time, the LEA gives you a temporary certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) until it decides, and you remain here legally. Applying after your permit has expired can cause serious problems.

What changes: On a job-seeker permit you could work without limits. On a student permit you can work 140 full or 280 half days a year. You can't get a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) while on a student permit.

After the master's: Once you finish your master's in Germany, you're entitled to a new 18-month permit to look for work.

Advice: Before applying, talk to the university's international office or student advice service (Studierendenwerk). Choose a programme you really want to study: if you drop out, your residence permit is at risk too.