Residence permit; application for in-company training and further training and school-based vocational training

You can apply for a residence permit for vocational training in Germany. Entry is usually preceded by applying for the relevant visa at the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad and entering the country.

The training can be both in-company and school-based training.

If in-company training is planned, the training can be preceded by attendance of a German language course to prepare for the vocational training, in particular also attendance of a vocational German language course in accordance with the German Language Support Ordinance.

You can also apply for a residence permit for school-based vocational training if it leads to a state-recognized vocational qualification.

Further information on vocational training in Germany can be found on the "Make it in Germany" website (see "Related links").

The residence permit entitles the holder to pursue employment of up to 20 hours per week, independent of vocational training.

To contact us, please use the button above, which will take you to the relevant office.

You can find these templates under Forms:

• Application for the issue or extension of a residence permit.
• Declaration on the employment relationship.
• Authorization to collect an eAT.

The approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required for in-company vocational training.

In order to provide school-based training, the course must lead to a state-recognized vocational qualification in accordance with federal or state regulations and must not be aimed primarily at nationals of one country.

In the case of qualified vocational training (at least two years), proof of sufficient German language skills (level B1) is required if the language skills required for the specific qualified vocational training have neither been tested by the educational institution nor are to be acquired through a preparatory German language course. The training company can confirm that the existing German language skills can be considered sufficient for the specific training.

It is not a prerequisite that the vocational training is qualified vocational training (at least two years). However, it should be noted that a new residence permit cannot usually be issued after the end of the vocational training, as only qualified vocational training confers the status of skilled worker. An exception applies to trained nursing assistants (care assistants).

Living expenses must be secured during the stay for vocational training. As a rule, proof must be provided that at least EUR 903 per month (year 2024) is available. This can be ensured by the training allowance. In the case of school-based vocational training or if there is a difference, the required amount can be proven by means of a part-time job (see above), a blocked account or the submission of a declaration of commitment (see link under "Related topics").

Any change of training company or training course in Germany must be applied for in good time at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Please enquire at your local immigration office. However, the following documents are usually required:

• valid passport
• Current biometric photograph (frontal view)
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof of sufficient living space
• Proof of health insurance cover
• Proof of the purpose of residence, e.g. employer's certificate or employment contract, marriage certificate
• Further documents if necessary

• Application for the issue or extension of a residence permit

  Please complete the application form in block letters or using a typewriter or computer in German. Please check or complete as appropriate. Please do not fill in blank fields.

• Declaration on the employment relationship
• Authorization to collect an eAT

100 EUR

• § Section 16a Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG) Section 16a AufenthG - individual standard
• § Section 2 (3) sentence 5 of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG)
• § Section 8 Ordinance on the Employment of Foreign Nationals (Employment Ordinance - BeschV)

Administrative court action

• Make it Germany - Training in Germany
• Make it Germany - Visa

Many foreigners authorities already offer an online application procedure. If an online procedure is available, it will be displayed in the BayernPortal under "Online procedure" if you have entered your place of residence under "Select location".

If your foreigners authority does not offer an online procedure, please contact the foreigners authority by e-mail or speak to them in person.

If a foreign professional qualification already exists, it can be checked in a so-called recognition procedure whether it is equivalent to German professional training. If this is the case, it may no longer be necessary to complete vocational training and a residence permit as a skilled worker can be applied for. A recognition procedure can be applied for either as part of a recognition partnership in Germany or before entering the country from abroad. If the recognition procedure shows that the foreign vocational training is only partially equivalent, it is possible to complete compensatory measures in Germany (see the description of services "Residence permit; gainful employment in Germany" under "Related topics").

The processing time may vary. If necessary, please enquire at the responsible foreigners authority.

• Residence permit; general information
• National visa; application and extension
• Residence permit; application for amendment of the ancillary provisions
• Residence permit; application for employment under the Western Balkans regulation
• Settlement permit; application
• Residence permit; application for the purpose of studying
• Declaration of commitment; submission
• Residence permit; application for gainful employment in Germany
• Residence permit; application for family reunification with foreigners
• Residence permit; application for temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine
• Residence permit; application for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons