I finally got my Aufenthaltserlaubnis from the Ausländerbehörde today. I could have picked it up earlier but I didn’t have time and they are open at really inconvenient hours. It was extended until the end of November 2008. Previously I was required to work full-time for my current employer. If I were to quit or lose my job, I would need to either find a new one, enroll at university or leave Germany. With the visa just issued, I can theoretically work for whomever hires me. Not that I am actively searching, but it is nice to have options. Of course with the current unemployment situation in Germany, I’m thankful to have a job at all.