Expat Community > Germany

kleinp
Joined 2011
Posts: 4

Work-permits for U.S. Citizens?

13 years ago

Hello all, I permanently moved to Europe (currently in Germany), and I needed to ask the forum how is it easiest for a US Citizen to obtain a work-permit if one is not highly educated? Are there jobs that Germans don't want which an American will likely be approved for? Here in Bodensee Region I have 4 job offers but its taking much too long for my new work-permit change to be approved or denied, and the Companies who want me will not wait that long. My current arbeitserlaubnis change (for a permanent Electriker position, through a private Zeit-Arbeit Agency) has been hung-up in Duisberg for 4 weeks with no sign of any answer.

Until I learn the language better I intend to try simpler jobs which not many EU locals want but is this simply possible in Germany? Are there certain Regions that often give Americans a better chance at a new work-permit than other Regions? If not, what EU Countries give Americans a good chance at the Jobs which locals don't want?

Does anyone know any Americans (without permanent Residency) doing simpler type jobs with little or no work-permit problems anywhere in the EU? In what EU Country can one utilize Temp-Agencies or similar private Job Service offices? Germany has a law that generally prohibits Temp-Agencies for foreigners.

I would greatly appreciate anyone's advice (but please no sales pitches for services). Thanks!

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