Homepage

Seiteninhalt

Dienstleistungen

Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of training

If you are a citizen of a non-EU or non-EEA country, you will need a residence permit for training purposes in Germany. With this permit you may

  • take part in language courses that do not prepare you for university (intensive language course in German),
  • undergo in-company training and further training if the Federal Employment Agency agrees.

The residence permit can be issued for participation in a student exchange programme and, in exceptional cases, for attending a school.

Note: If you are not yet in possession of a training or study place, you can obtain a residence permit to look for a training or study place.

Attention: If you are staying in Germany for training purposes, you cannot obtain a settlement permit. However, half of the time during which you were in possession of a residence permit for study or training purposes will be counted towards the time required for a settlement permit.

Responsible department

  • for the issue of a national visa before entering Germany: the German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
  • after entering Germany: the foreigners authority
    The foreigners authority is if you
    • live in an urban district or in a large district town: the municipal administration
    • if you live in a town or municipality belonging to a district: the district administration.

Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of German missions abroad on its website.

Details

Prerequisite

In order to obtain a residence permit, you must fulfil the following requirements:

  • You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
    For the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement identity document.
  • Your livelihood is secured.
  • There are no grounds for deportation against you.
  • Your stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • You fulfil the admission requirements for the relevant training, for example the required language skills.

Procedure

Before travelling to Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America can enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit in Germany.

After entering the country, you must apply for a residence permit in writing to the immigration authority responsible for you before your visa expires.

Please note: If the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required, for example in the case of in-company training and further education, the immigration authority will obtain this in an internal administrative procedure.

You will then receive either the desired residence permit or a notice of refusal.

The residence permit for the purpose of training is limited in time and is only valid for this purpose of residence. If the purpose of your stay changes, you must inform the competent authority immediately.

You must apply for an extension of the residence permit in good time before it expires.

Deadlines

none

Required documents

Proof that

  • You fulfil the passport and visa requirements
  • Your livelihood is secured
  • there are no grounds for deportation against you
  • You do not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • You fulfil the admission requirements for the training (in the original)

In addition:

  • Training contract
  • Training plan
  • Registration of the training company with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), if required
  • Language skills:
    It is the responsibility of the employer and the vocational school to check whether the required language skills are available.

    The Skilled Immigration Act came into force on 1 March 2020. According to this law, you must generally provide proof of sufficient language skills at level B1 for qualified vocational training. This proof should be provided by submitting suitable language certificates.

Costs

You are issued with the residency permit for the first time: EUR 100.00

Processing time

usually four to six weeks

Miscellaneous

You wish to undertake the training here in part and have already received a residency permit for training purposes in another EU Member State: In most cases, you also receive a residency permit for Germany.

You hold a residence permit for other reasons (for example for family reasons) or a settlement permit. In this case, you can enter training in Germany without an additional residency permit.

Should you undertake skilled vocational training in Germany (at least two years vocational training), then regardless of the vocation training, you may work for up to ten hours per week. Following the successful completion of the skilled vocational training, the authority can extend your residency permit by up to one year in certain circumstances. In this time

  • you search for a job which reasonably corresponds to your qualifications, provided that foreigners may undertake this occupation and
  • may work without restrictions.

Citizens of the EU Member States can undertake vocational training in Germany due to their right of free movement. They must provide proof of health insurance and maintenance, should they not be in employment. The same applies to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and of Switzerland.

You will receive the residence permit in the format of a bank card incorporating additional electronic functions. You will find further information at “Application for electronic residence permit (eAT)".

Legal basis

Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG):

  • § 5 Allgemeine Erteilungsvoraussetzungen
  • § 7 Aufenthaltserlaubnis
  • § 8 Verlängerung der Aufenthaltserlaubnis
  • § 16a Berufsausbildung; berufliche Weiterbildung
  • § 16f Sprachkurse und Schulbesuch
  • § 20 Arbeitsplatzsuche für Fachkräfte

Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV):

  • § 45 Gebühren für die Aufenthaltserlaubnis, die Blaue Karte EU, die ICT-Karte und die Mobiler-ICT-Karte

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 30.01.2025

Zum Seitenanfang