Employees

The Hamburg Welcome Centre is responsible for you if you

• want to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of training, studying, employment or self-employment and freelance work (§§ 16a to 21 AufenthG) for the first time after entering Germany or  
• are a skilled worker and wish to extend or transfer your residence permit in accordance with §§ 18a to 18g AufenthG or wish to apply for a settlement permit or  
• are a family member of the above-mentioned persons and require a residence permit. 

You can use the online service residence permit to find out who is responsible and submit your application.

More about the Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals

Do you have questions about how the current right of residence affects your individual situation and your access to the German labor market? If so, you can make use of our immigration law advisory service.

We provide legal advice on immigration law, especially on perspectives for access to the German labor market, according to the basic guidelines of the Department of the Interior and Sports (BIS). We primarily advise companies, migrants and immigrants living here, as well as volunteers and other institutions on the following topics:

• Residence status
• General questions on the right of residence
• Employment opportunities (e.g. change of the employer)
• Employment permit procedure
• Possibilities of a change of residence

More about the Legal Counseling and Clearing Office for Foreign Nationals

We support you if you are looking for a job or would like to do an internship or work experience in Hamburg as a career entry or for career orientation.  It is important to us that you find something that matches your qualifications and skills.

• We will help you find a job.
• We will put you in contact with companies and assist you in preparing an application.
• If necessary, we will continue to support you in your new position for up to six months.
• We will discuss the possibilities of an internship or work experience with you and, if necessary, coordinate this with the job center or the employment agency.

You can find our contact details here.

We inform you about career paths and the labor market in Germany. We clarify with you what competencies and professional experience you already have and plan the way forward: Vocational training or further education?

• We will help you find a training position that matches your wishes and skills, and subsequently support you as needed.
• We advise you if you want to qualify in the context of further education.
• It is important to us that you can ultimately work as a specialist in Hamburg.

You can find our contact details here.

We advise you if you have completed an educational or professional qualification abroad.

• We inform you on how your degree can be recognized in Germany and which body is responsible for this.
• The recognition procedure costs money. We inform you about possible financial aid, such as the scholarship program of the city of Hamburg.
• If you have a letter of recognition (Anerkennungsbescheid), we will be happy to answer your questions.
• We clarify whether you need a further qualification in order to acquire the final recognition.
• We also provide advice on immigration law issues related to the recognition of foreign educational and professional qualifications.

You can find our contact details here.

Language is the key to integration. Moving to another country is a life-changing experience for everyone.  The quicker you learn the new language, the greater the chance that you will settle quickly into your new homeland. In addition to integration courses, there are numerous language schools in Hamburg that offer language courses at different levels: from beginners to advanced, for studying or for work.  

Or perhaps you would simply like to use your German skills in everyday life? The Hamburg Welcome Center can guide you.

• We provide general information on language courses.
• We answer questions about the different types of language courses.

You can find our contact details here.

We will advise you if you already have a job, are in training or an internship. However, you can also get in touch with us before signing an employment contract.

• We provide information on issues relating to employment, e.g. remuneration, working conditions, temporary employment, termination and other rights and obligations as an employee.
• We also advise solo self-employed.

We do not provide legal services, but we can involve attorneys.

You can find our contact details here.

You can get free general information for newcomers and brochures on the following topics:

• House hunting
• Work and tax matters
• Family 
• Childcare and school
• Studying
• Health and insurance 
• state-funded benefits
• Culture, leisure and more

You can find our contact details here.