Germany might become a favored destination for students from lower-income families due to new visa regulations allowing international students to work before beginning their studies there.

The new skilled worker law, effective since March, permits foreign students to work during their studies, aiming to attract more skilled workers to Germany, the EU's strongest economy and the world's third-largest. The second part of this skilled worker law, following the initial part enacted in November 2023, will benefit several categories, including apprenticeship applicants and graduates.

The new visa for study applications allows non-EU students to come to Germany nine months in advance and work up to 20 hours per week. During this period, they can take courses in English and German, depending on their course language, prepare their applications, and acclimate to the country.

Under the new law, international students can now work from 120 to 140 full days per year or 280 half-days per calendar year. These changes are expected to particularly benefit students from lower-income families. Previously, while aspiring students could come to Germany nine months before their studies began, they were not permitted to work during this period. Individuals seeking to complete an apprenticeship in Germany are also permitted to work while continuing their search. The two main requirements for applicants are having B1-level German language proficiency and being under the age of 35.

During this nine-month period, apprenticeship applicants can work 20 hours per week, both before and after starting their training. Non-EU citizens who graduate from a German university can stay for up to 18 months after graduation to find a job. After gaining two years of work experience, they can apply for permanent residence.

Graduates who plan to change careers after graduation must switch their visa to an EU Blue Card or a German Skilled Worker Visa. Graduates from universities or vocational schools accredited by authorities in their home countries can come to Germany if they have two years of relevant work experience.

As of December 2024, Germany recorded a total of 770,301 open job positions across various fields. The top 20 most in-demand jobs include vacancies in horticulture, wood, metalworking, and other technical fields.

Meanwhile, the highest-paying professions in Germany include health workers, pilots, sales managers, and lawyers.