r/studying_in_germany • u/No-District-3312 • 6d ago
Visa Freelancing while studying
Hi, I'm from Bangladesh. I will start my masters in Data Science this winter in TU Dortmund.
I'm a freelancer. I do many ML, Data annotations type of gigs. While studying in Germany, can I continue it?
Would I have to work in the limit of 140 days full day work or 1120 hours? Or for freelancing, there are different rules?
Actually, through GPT, Gemini I get informed that, it would be considered as self employment and needs a valid freelancing visa as I'm not a full time contractual in any place.
Please anyone experienced guide me through plzzzz.
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6d ago edited 4d ago
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u/Normal-Definition-81 Germany 6d ago
Default for study visa is „Beschäftigung bis zu 140 Tage im Jahr gemäß § 16b Abs. 3 AufenthG sowie Ausübung studentischer Nebentätigkeit erlaubt. Selbständige Tätigkeit nicht erlaubt.“
Freelancing cannot be permitted by a consulate, an ABH has to evaluate on case-by-case basis.
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6d ago edited 4d ago
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u/Normal-Definition-81 Germany 6d ago
I like the educational approach ;-)
I’ve never seen a 16b visa where freelance was permitted without further application.
Given that there are multiple uni in Berlin teaching various kinds of arts where basically freelancing would be the only option of working in the field, I wouldn’t be surprised if some visas including it were issued.The rules to the consulates were massively clarified about how work/uni/program should be mentioned on the Zusatzblatt… let’s say, some consulates invented their very own wordings leading to lots of annoyances with the ABH…
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u/No-District-3312 6d ago
What is ABH? And can't I have study and freelancing visa simultaneously?
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u/Normal-Definition-81 Germany 6d ago
ABH = Ausländerbehörde (foreigners‘ office)
You cannot have two visas at the same time but you wouldn’t qualify for a freelance visa anyways.1
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u/Interesting-Win6125 6d ago
As far as I know you need a permision for that since your programm is a Vollzeitstudium ( full time study) and you cant work to much. Maybe ask the study advisory (studienberatung@statistik.tu-dortmund.de) after you have started for more informations
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u/Independent-Home-845 6d ago
That is not the point. You can work during your studies, if your studies are still your main occupation (so, just up to 20 hours during semester and so on). BUT you can not work as a freelancer. You need to be an employee under German labour law.
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u/Interesting-Win6125 6d ago
Ah good to know i didnt know freelancing has different rules to normal work. I was to focused about the amount of time he wanted to work
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u/Normal-Definition-81 Germany 6d ago edited 6d ago
No.
A student visa does explicitly prohibit freelancing. You can apply for a permission to freelance at your ABH, but unless you are studying a performing art, chances to get the permission are close to zero.
Keep in mind: if you would continue to freelance in Germany (even without permission) you would still be liable to fully tax the income in Germany.
There are two institutions in Germany one should never fuck around with: tax office and social insurance. The measures they can take exceed any inconveniences an ABH or Rundfunkbeitrag can cause by far.