📋 Step-by-step guide

How to Apply for Your Ferienjob in Germany

From checking your university to your first day at work — here is everything you need to know before you get started.

Please note: A Ferienjob is paid, physically demanding seasonal work during your official semester break. It is not an internship (Praktikum), not a traineeship, and not a pathway to long-term employment or residency in Germany.
1
Before you start

Check if your university is recognised in Germany

German authorities require that your university is listed in the Anabin database — the official German registry of recognised foreign universities. This is a mandatory requirement for your work permit application.

🔍 How to check Go to the Anabin database, search for your country and then your university. If your institution appears with the status "H+" or "H+/H+", you are eligible to participate.
⚠️ What if my university is NOT listed? Unfortunately, participation in the Ferienjob program is not possible if your university is not recognised. However, your university can apply to be included in the Anabin registry — this is worth exploring with your university's international office.
Open Anabin Database
2
Create your account

Register on Ferienjob Germany

Create your free account on our platform. You will need your name, e-mail address, WhatsApp number, and the name of your university. Registration only takes a few minutes.

💡 What you need to register
  • Valid e-mail address
  • WhatsApp number (including country code)
  • Name of your university
  • Country of origin
Create Free Account →
3
Prepare your paperwork

Collect your university documents

Before you can submit your application, you need to gather several official documents from your university. Most of these are standard documents that your university's student office (Akademisches Prüfungsamt or similar) can provide.

📂 Documents you need from your university
📄
Immatrikulationsbescheinigung (Enrollment Certificate) Official proof that you are currently enrolled as a full-time student. Must show your name, student ID, and the current semester. Your university also has to complete the official declaration form of the German Federal Employment Agency. Please always download it directly from the source, so you never work with an outdated version: Declaration of Certificate of Enrolment, English (PDF)  ·  Erklärung zur Immatrikulationsbescheinigung, German (PDF)
📅
Academic Calendar / Semester break confirmation A document showing the exact start and end dates of your semester break. This is required to confirm your availability.
🪪
Student ID Card Your current, valid student ID showing your name, photo, and the validity period.
📋
Declaration of Certificate of Enrolment A formal confirmation letter from your university that you are enrolled. Important: this must be issued as a separate document in addition to the Immatrikulationsbescheinigung — the two cannot be combined into one. View sample & guide (PDF) →
💡 Tip: Request documents early University offices can be slow — request your documents at least 2–3 weeks before you need them. Some documents may need to be officially translated or apostilled.
4
Complete your application

Fill in your profile and upload all documents

Once you have all your documents ready, log in to your dashboard and complete two things: fill in your personal profile and upload all required documents.

✅ Your profile checklist
  • Personal information (name exactly as on passport, date of birth, address)
  • Study details (field of study, graduation date, semester break dates)
  • Language skills (English & German level)
  • Clothing sizes (T-shirt, shoe, pants — needed for work equipment)
  • Passport information and driving licence (if applicable)
📤 Documents to upload
  • Passport (copy of photo page)
  • Student ID
  • Immatrikulationsbescheinigung
  • Enrollment Certificate
  • Resume / CV
  • Academic Calendar
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Certificate of Residence
5
We take it from here

Document review, work permit & visa

Your work permit application is submitted to the German Federal Employment Agency (ZAV). From here, your status on the dashboard updates automatically at each milestone.

✓ Registered → 📋 Permit Applied → ✅ Permit Issued → 🛂 Visa Appointment → 🟢 Visa Received → ✈️ Flight Booked → 🇩🇪 In Germany
⏰ How long does the whole process take? The entire process from application to arrival in Germany typically takes 2–3 months for visa-free countries and 3–5 months if a visa is required. Start your application as early as possible — ideally 4–5 months before your planned start date (visa countries) — for visa-free countries 2–3 months are usually enough. Processing times at German authorities can vary.
🚀

Ready to apply?

If your university is in the Anabin database and you have your documents ready, you can start your application right now. The whole registration takes less than 5 minutes.

Start My Application →
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