Aufenthaltserlaubnis zu Aus- und Weiterbildungszwecken beantragen

Regardless of your qualifications, you can obtain a residence permit in order to complete in-company vocational training or further education in Germany.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU or non-EEA country, you need a residence permit for training purposes for in-company vocational training or further education in Germany.
The residence permit can be issued both for qualified vocational training and for vocational training that is not qualified.
Qualified vocational training exists if it is vocational training in a state-recognised or comparably regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is stipulated under federal or Land law. If these requirements are not met, it is not qualified vocational training.
In-company continuing training includes, for example, qualification measures, internships, practical phases following a course of study or trainee programmes.
The residence permit for taking up vocational training can be issued regardless of your previous qualifications, i.e. it is not linked to special school requirements. The training company must check whether trainees are suitable for training.
If you are aiming for qualified vocational training, you should generally be able to prove sufficient language skills (language level B1). As proof, you can present suitable language certificates. Alternatively, the training company can also confirm that your language skills are sufficient for the desired qualified vocational training. If you do not yet have the necessary language skills, you can attend a job-related German language course to prepare for your training. Please submit a confirmation of registration for the language course (see also "Further information"). The residence permit to be issued for qualified vocational training also includes attendance of the language course before the start of vocational training.
In principle, there are no language requirements for taking up vocational training that is not qualified vocational training. As a rule, however, at least sufficient German language skills at level A2 will be required.
There are no requirements for language skills for taking up in-company continuing training.
If you wish to attend a language course prior to vocational training that is not qualified vocational training or prior to further training, you must first apply for a residence permit to attend a language course and then for a residence permit for training and further education purposes.
In principle, you must prove that your livelihood is secure for the entire duration of the training or further education. Among other things, the Foreigners' Registration Office will use your training or further education contract for the examination.
During qualified vocational training, you are entitled to work up to ten hours per week in employment that is independent of your vocational training. Employment in addition to vocational training that is not qualified or in-company training is not permitted. Self-employment is not permitted under any circumstances.
You can apply for vocational training allowance for the duration of your training or further education.
The residence permit can only be issued if the Federal Employment Agency has given its consent. This checks the employment requirements (e.g. the training or further education contract).
The residence permit is issued for a limited period. As a rule, their validity depends on the total time of training or further education.
Under certain circumstances, you may be obliged by the immigration authority to attend an integration course when you are granted a residence permit. This will then be noted on your residence permit.
If you have not yet reached the age of 18, a person entitled to your personal care must agree to the planned stay for the purpose of in-company training or further education.
After successful completion of qualified vocational training, your residence permit can be extended for up to twelve months to look for a job.
If your qualified vocational training or further education is terminated prematurely for reasons for which you are not responsible, you can in principle be given the opportunity to look for another training place for a period of up to six months.
During the validity of a residence permit for in-company training and further education, it is in principle possible to switch to another qualified vocational training. Likewise, if you meet the necessary requirements, you can apply to the Foreigners' Registration Office to obtain a residence permit for employment as a specialist, for employment with strong professional knowledge, for studying or for other purposes to which you are legally entitled (change of purpose).
Training and further education companies that would like to train or further train a person from abroad can, on behalf of the foreigner, apply to the Foreigners' Registration Office for the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, which can facilitate and accelerate the entry of skilled workers (see "Further information").
 

- Valid passport
- Current biometric photo
- Proof of your health insurance
- Training and further education contract
- Approval of the Federal Employment Agency
- In the case of qualified vocational training: proof of language skills (e.g. through language certificates)
- Proof that your livelihood is secured (e.g. rental agreement)
- Consent of the person with custody to the planned stay if you have not yet reached the age of 18

-In addition
- in the case of recent entry:
- Visa, if this was required for entry
as well as in case of a previous stay:
- Current residence permit
Further documents are required for the implementation of the accelerated procedure for skilled workers. Please contact the responsible immigration authority
 

- You have a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute and - if this was required for entry - an appropriate visa.
- There is no interest in expulsion against you.
- Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Your livelihood is secured.
- If you take up a qualified vocational training, you can prove the necessary language skills.
- The approval of the Federal Employment Agency has been obtained.
 

Issue of residence permit: EUR 100.00

Modification of an existing residence permit for obtaining a residence permit for education and training purposes (change of purpose): EUR 98.00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or exemption may be considered.

Note: The fee for issuing the electronic residence title (eAT card) is EUR 67.00.
 

Before entering Germany, you usually have to apply for a national visa for Germany in your home country. After your arrival, you must then apply for a residence permit.

The residence permit must be applied for at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence before your visa expires.

The procedure is as follows:
- Depending on the immigration authority and concerns, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your immigration authority offers electronic applications.
In the event of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you upon receipt of your application in order to make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your certificates will be checked (bring the original with you to the appointment).
- If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring the original with you to the appointment).
- If the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required, the immigration authority usually obtains this in an internal administrative procedure.
- You will then receive either the requested residence permit or a rejection notice.
- The residence permit is issued for a limited period and is valid only for this purpose of stay.
- If the purpose of your stay changes, you must inform the competent immigration authority immediately.
- The residence permit is issued in credit card format with additional electronic functions (eAT card). Your fingerprints will be taken at the Foreigners' Registration Office for the production. You must also provide a signature.
- After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office. The collection must always be done personally.
- Fees apply for the issuance of the residence permit and the issuance of the eAT card. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.
- In good time before the expiry of the period of validity of your residence permit, you must apply for its renewal.
In order to carry out the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, the training and further education company contacts the immigration authority responsible for the place of training or further education. Under certain circumstances, a central office for the implementation of the procedure has been set up in your federal state.
 

You can inquire about the processing time of the visa procedure at the German missions abroad at the diplomatic mission responsible for you.

It takes about six to eight weeks to process your application for a residence permit.

- The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiry of your valid visa or residence permit.
- The residence permit is usually issued for the duration of the education or training
- Appeal period against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office: one month
 

• Residence permit for the purpose of training Issue for training purposes
• Residence permit can be issued in order to complete in-company vocational training or further education in Germany
• Residence permit can be issued regardless of previous education
• It is possible to take up qualified vocational training as well as vocational training that is not qualified
• Qualified vocational training: Vocational training in a state-recognised or comparably regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is stipulated under federal or state law
• Proof of sufficient language skills required for qualified vocational training (language level B1), e.g. through language certificates, confirmation from the training company that the language skills are sufficient for qualified vocational training or confirmation of registration for a job-related German language course (see "Further information")
• Residence permit for qualified vocational training also includes attendance of the language course before the start of training; this is not the case in the case of a residence permit for vocational training other than qualified vocational training or for further training. If, in these cases, a language course is to be attended before the training or further education, a residence permit must first be applied for in order to participate in a language course.
• For vocational training that is not qualified, at least sufficient German language skills are required (language level A2)
• In-company training: qualification measures, internships, practical phases following studies, trainee programmes
• No requirements for language skills for in-company training
• Securing livelihood must be proven for the entire duration of the company's initial or continuing training
• employment during qualified vocational training is permitted for up to ten hours per week; otherwise not permitted; self-employment is not permitted under any circumstances
• Approval of the Federal Employment Agency required
• Residence permits are issued for a limited period and are valid only for the purpose of education and training; Validity usually depends on the total time of training or further education
• Under certain circumstances, a residence permit may be combined with an obligation to attend an integration course
• For persons who have not yet reached the age of 18, consent of a person with custody is required
• Vocational training allowance possible (see "Further information")
• After completion of the qualified vocational training, a residence permit can be issued for up to twelve months to look for a job.
• In the event of premature termination of qualified vocational training, it may be possible to search for a training place for up to six months.
• Change of purpose of residence possible in principle
• Depending on the immigration authority and concerns, the application is possible via the Internet or in person.
• The issuance of a residence permit is subject to a fee; Time and form of payment vary
• Training and further education companies can apply for the accelerated skilled worker procedure on behalf of the employees

Responsible: the immigration authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence; for the accelerated procedure for skilled workers: immigration authority at the place of the permanent establishment where the foreigner is to be employed, unless a central office has been set up for the procedure

- For the issuance of a national visa before entering Germany: The German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
- For the issuance of a residence permit after entry: The immigration authority responsible for the place of residence of the applicant

For the accelerated procedure for skilled workers:
Foreigners' authority at the place where the service is performed, unless a central office has been set up to carry out the procedure.
 

- Online procedures possible in some cases
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: yes