Vocational training in Germany opens many doors and is the best way to prepare yourself for the German world of work: You have the opportunity to complete school-based or company-based vocational training. In both cases, a residence title in accordance with Section 16a on the Residence Act - AufenthG may be required.

To find out whether you require a visa to enter Germany, see Who Needs a Visa?

What are the requirements to receive a visa for vocational training?

• You are able to provide proof of being accepted to a school-based or company-based training programme in Germany.
• You possess the requisite language skills required for the qualified vocational training. In general, a minimum level of B1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required. This is applicable if the training facility has not yet tested your language skills, or you have yet to complete a preparatory German language course.
• You must be able to cover your costs of living for the entire duration of your stay: in general, this means that you must provide evidence of having at least €903.00 per month (as of 2023) at your disposal. If you plan on taking part in a school-based training programme, you can provide evidence of being able to cover your living costs by opening a blocked account or submitting a declaration of commitment. If you plan on taking part in a company-based training programme, you will receive a training salary, which is also considered as evidence.  If your training salary is not sufficient, you are allowed to compensate the difference by showing that you are in possession of either a blocked account or a declaration of commitment.

Do you fulfil these requirements? Find out about the entry visa process.

What opportunities does a visa for vocational training offer?

To complete school-based or company-based training, a corresponding residence permit will be issued for the duration of the training program in question. Qualified training programs in Germany generally have a duration of least two years.  

With a residence permit to complete a qualified vocational training program, you are able to take on secondary employment outside your training program for up to ten hours per week. 

If you have successfully completed your vocational training, you can stay in Germany for up to 12 additional months in order to obtain employment that corresponds to your vocational training. For this purpose, a residence permit in accordance with Section 20 (3) no. 3 on the Residence Act - AufenthG is required. You can apply for this visa at your local Foreigners' Authority.

To be able to cover your costs of living while searching for a job in Germany, you are entitled to obtain any form of employment. As soon as you have found a job for which you are qualified, you can apply for a residence permit for qualified employment (Section 18a on the Residence Act - AufenthG) without having to leave Germany. To learn about the other options available to you after completing vocational training in Germany, see Prospects After Your Vocational Training.

Visa for the purpose of applying for training

Are you looking to complete a qualified training program in Germany but have yet to find a training position? With a visa for the purpose of finding a training position in accordance with Section 17 (1) on the Residence Act - AufenthG, you can come to Germany to apply for, and find suitable training positions.

See Who Needs a Visa? to find out if you require a visa to enter Germany.

What are the requirements to receive a visa for the purpose of applying for training?

• You must be 25 years of age or under.
• You must provide proof of a school-leaving certificate that enables you to attend a higher education institution, or proof of a diploma from a German school abroad.
• You are able to provide proof of German language skills at a minimum level of B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework or Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• You are able to cover your living costs for the entire duration of your stay. You can provide proof of being able to cover living costs by opening a blocked account with at least €1,027 per month (as of 2023) or by submitting a Declaration of Commitment.

Do you fulfil these requirements? Learn about the procedure for the entry and visa process.

What opportunities does a visa for the purpose of applying for training offer?

With the visa or residence permit for the purpose of finding a training position, you can enter Germany for up to six months in order to apply for training positions. During this time, you cannot obtain employment.