<BR>I am an American graduate student who will be be travelling to Germany in a year or two on a graduate fellowship which will last a school year (October to July). I would like to take my girlfriend with me. While I would be able to support myself while there, we would need additional funds to support the both of us. I would like to find legitimate ways of securing some sort of job for her over there. Any advice?<BR><BR>If all else fails, is under-the-table/Schwartzarbeiten a possibility? English tutoring, for example?<BR><BR>Is it risky for her to stay for 9 months on a tourist visa (which is valid for 3 months, I believe)? Will the local authorities grant her a residence permit even if she is not a student and does not have official work?<BR><BR>Thanks for your help. I appreciate your experience and expertise!<BR><BR>

<BR>Oh!<BR><BR>The big complication is that she speaks very little German. She would like to learn more while there, but this certainly is a hindrance for finding a job, I recognize...

There is always a need for nannys, au pairs, babysitters and the like. Maybe she could try that.

It is indeed risky to stay beyond your visa limits, but you won't find out HOW risky until you get caught...see the posting about girl who wants to work in UK and the reply from the woman who had to get her sister out of the UK PRONTO when the sister got caught working w/o a permit....this is a real possibility in any European country. How likely she would be caught is really "how luck do you feel"? No one may ever question her, then again, every one may.... <BR><BR>There is no way to get legal work without a residence and work permit and she will not qualify for either. You get a residence permit if you are married to someone who qualifies for a permit (like you do) OR if you have qualifications that a german firm would want and they would get the permits for you and it sounds like she does not...<BR><BR>Working giving English language lessons will not give you much income and if you are not a teacher-type to begin with you will find it hard to get students; there are enough qualified people who give lessons that a less-than-professional instructor will soon have no students. My point being that every one thinks they can give English language lessons simply because they are native speakers..it is not that easy. <BR><BR>The bottom line: 1).if she stays beyond the 3 months, it's borrowed time, and she would probably need a return ticket any how--unless you buy full fare apex which is good for a year--any they are good for 30-60 days max. 2). Your living arrangements, if they are made by your Uni, could possibly be for one person only and living two to the room/apt could get YOU in trouble, too.<BR><BR>If she and/or you are asked to leave Germany, your passports will be endorsed with dates of you "banishment" from Germany...usually ten years. If other EU member states honor this ban in their countries, I do not know, but there may be receprocial arrangements, so that banned in one mean banned in some or all.<BR><BR>I have lived off and on in Germany for the last 30 years (since 1973) as someone who only qualifies for the residence visa (no work allowed) because the Prof husband has the job...getting "English Teacher" jobs will give little income and is not the easy job it sounds. My advice would be to have her visit several times a year for long, long stays (airfare are much lower in winter and early spring anyhow) and return to the US in between where she can work and earn money w/o any legal problems....after all you will need time to study and work yourself !!! <BR><BR>I'm sure to be blasted by those who poopoo my recommendations and say go for it, let her stay and work under the table. Well, so be it. But I live here NOW and know the Uni life and they don't...<BR><BR>Judy in Germany

<BR>Judy,<BR><BR>Thank you for your response. I do appreciate your perspective on this matter. I think that you touched on one of the most practical solutions. Simply to have my girlfriend make several extended visits to me. I agree that this may make the most sense.<BR><BR>Another possibility would be to try to secure some sort of exchange fellowship for her, as well. As she is a well-educated professional with some relevant experience, it is worth a try. This is probably more of a long shot.<BR><BR>Otherwise, we may have to get married...which is a whole 'nother can of beans.<BR><BR>I think my best bet for now is to look into fellowship opportunities (like Humbolt or Bosch) and keep the idea of several extended stays in the back of my mind.<BR><BR>Thanks again Judy!<BR><BR>PS. I'd welcome any further opinions or perspectives...

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<BR>Franklin,<BR><BR>You might have a chance of getting a residence permit for your girlfriend if you vouch for her support. If not I believe that she can leave Germany every 90 days, get her passport stamped in a non-Schengen country, and come back legally for another 90 days. If she is an American she does not need a tourist visa for Germany for up to 90 days stay. It is unlikely that anyone will ever ask to see her passport, except at airport arrivals and departures, and going east. <BR><BR>Working is a hurdle. Judy painted a realistic picture. Getting a work permit for my wife when we lived in Germany 1991-93 was not possible. The Frankfurt airport security agency offered her a job because of her language abilities - German, Spanish, French, and English. The German Arbeitsamt said Nein. <BR><BR>Another possibility for earning a living in Germany is as a Privatarbeiter, that is as a consultant or contract worker. As I understand it German law allows one to work for up to 90 days, though this may be limited to EU citizens. Translating rather than teaching English may be a better game. I have done some short term paid translating in my travels. <BR><BR>Another possibility exists for people of German ancestry. If she had a grand parent who was born in Germany she can claim German citizenship and be entitled to residence and work permits, plus language training and other benefits. I believe that citizenship rights go back more than two generations. Call the nearest German consulate for information.<BR><BR>www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/germany.htm is a page on my site with some elementary information on Germany. You might find it useful.<BR><BR>John

Has your girlfriend done any freelance writing? When I lived in Ireland, I supplemented my income (I was legal to work there because of my husband) by writing articles for my old employer back in the US. Of course, even if she did this, she would still need a valid tourist visa.

I am that woman who had to get my sister out of London within 24 hours. I had many lengthy talks with her before she left UCLA to come over. I thougth I had made the consequenes of overstaying her visa perfectly clear. I was wrong, she meet so many people who had stayed way beyond their visas and thought she could do the same. Until someone turned her in. Since I live in Germany on a work visa, she jeapordized my employment conditions. She was having so much fun, that no one knew exactly where she was or what she was doing. When the state dept. called my mother, she told them she has a sister living in Germany, she then gave the state dept. my home and work numbers. They called me at work and my boss took the call. He initially thought that I had done something to jeapordize my job and employer and our status. When he found out it was my little sister, he was glad that it didn't have anything to do with me. As far as sympathy and giving me time off to run around and get money wired, get plane tickets etc, he wasn't and told me that she should have known better. I do agree but the fact is that many people do overstay there visits and never get caught. But I don't recommend doing this at all, my sister now faces having her passport officially red flaged and the possibiltiy of telling future employers why she can't travel to the UK. Since 9/11 many other gov't are now watching who is coming and going into their countries and more than likey if she stays beyond her tourist passport of 90 days,she will be caught and deported and you could also find your position jeapordized because you are helping her stay here. Also, when you get off the plane and go thru customs they are going to ask you where you are staying, etc it all goes into a computor. The Germans are know for many things, efficiency being one of them.

Franklin:<BR>The computer seems to have eaten my first two replies..third time lucky?<BR><BR>1.The gambit of 90 days in Germany, leave for a few and return for 90 days more does not work. Check with the EU commission or the Ger Emb, both in DC, for the rules. (I believe it's 90 days in 180 days, but don't rely on me) if this were a legit ploy there'd be tourists hopping boarders like bunnies to stay in the EU.<BR><BR>Residence permit from vouching for her support will probalbly not work, since you say you have only enough income for yourself. Normally this takes a lot of Euro in the bank and it's mostly retirees who can fullfil the monetary requirement.<BR><BR>The private contractor deal is for EU citizens only, I believe. There again, if it were open to all, everyone would be a "consultant" to get some legal living time in Europe. <BR><BR>Translation work will pay minimal unless you have a special area of expertise too..ie: International law, structual engineering etc. Friends suppliment income thru translations and say the income vs labor ratio is not very good. Writing articles for local papers etc maybe a way to earn extra income, even if she does not stay beyond the 90 days...<BR><BR>Getting a dual passport is a legit way into the EU but can take lots of time to gather the papers needed, such a birth, death, marriage certificates, immigration papers etc. Many families simply do not have them and backtracking them can take years..plus you then must wait while the country in question rules on what you have submitted...but it is worth a try.<BR><BR>Getting a fellowship is the best idea. It gets you that "invitation" into the country plus money. Besides Humboldt and Bosch, try Fulbright (they do Germany) and the German Marshall Fund, offices in Washington DC. This fund was founded by Germany to thank the US for the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild europe after WW II.<BR><BR>Two things I will recommend you do before you come:<BR><BR>1. LEARN SOME GERMAN.. if you don't know any now, and you say she has little german herself..having some german will help you jump right into daily life from the moment you arrive. While you will learn the most when in Germany, you will learn quicker if you have a foundation and will be able to resist the temptation to keep talking english with everyone. Try the Goethe Institute for lessons, they may even offer lessons online.<BR><BR>SAVE MONEY. Germany is expensive and you will have lots of out of pocket expenses. Unless the fellowship comes with fully paid accomodations, you will have to rent an apt (need deposit+1 or 2 mo rent in advance), possibly furnish some or all contents and provide for utilities (not cheap), food and transportation. Not to mention telephone, internet connection etc.-all this before recieving a salary payment. (This can be a while too. We were here 2 mo before we got paid!) <BR><BR>But most of all, you will need the cash to open a local bank account. Without this you are dead in the water. You need it to get paid--direct deposit only, no salary checks; to get utility services-they debit only, no checks. You will find Germany a strange mix of electronic banking and cash-only society...<BR><BR>Plus you will need that extra cash cushion to TRAVEL LIKE CRAZY...we're here on sabattical for the travel, not the science. (Don't say that too loud!)<BR><BR>Hope this helps you along. However you do it, enjoy, enjoy enjoy. Let me know if I can help in any way...<BR><BR>Judy soon not to be in Germany<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>