Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Zweck der Ausbildung Erteilung zu Aus- und Weiterbildungszwecken

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

If you are a citizen of a non-EU or non-EEA country, you will require a residence permit for training purposes for in-company vocational training or further training 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-recognized or comparably regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified under federal or state law. If these requirements are not met, it is not considered qualified vocational training.
Continuing vocational training is understood to mean, for example, qualification measures, internships, practical phases following a course of study or trainee programs.
The residence permit to take up vocational training can be issued regardless of your previous qualifications, i.e. it is not linked to special school requirements. It is the responsibility of the training company to check whether trainees are suitable for training.
If you are seeking qualified vocational training, you should generally be able to prove that you have sufficient language skills (language level B1). You can submit suitable language certificates as proof. Alternatively, the training company can also confirm that your language skills are sufficient for the qualified vocational training you are seeking. If you do not yet have the required language skills, you can attend a job-related German language course to prepare for the 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 the vocational training.
There are generally no language proficiency 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 language proficiency requirements for taking up in-company further 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 training purposes.
In principle, you must prove that you are able to support yourself for the entire duration of the training or further training. The Immigration Office will use your education or training contract, among other things, to check this.
During qualified vocational training, you are entitled to work up to ten hours a week in employment that is independent of your vocational training. Gainful employment alongside vocational training that is not qualified or in-company further training is not permitted. Self-employment is not permitted under any circumstances.
You can apply for a vocational training allowance for the duration of your training or further training.
The residence permit can only be issued if the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval. It will check the employment law requirements (e.g. the training or further training contract).
The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity is usually based on the total duration of the training or further education.
Under certain circumstances, you may be required by the immigration authority to take part in an integration course when your residence permit is issued. This will then be noted on your residence permit.
If you have not yet reached the age of 18, a person entitled to take care of you must consent to your planned stay for the purpose of vocational training or further education.
After successfully completing qualified vocational training, your residence permit can be extended for up to twelve months to enable you to look for a job.
If your qualified vocational training or further training is terminated prematurely for reasons for which you are not responsible, you can generally 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 initial and further vocational training, it is generally possible to change to another qualified vocational training course. If you meet the necessary requirements, you can also apply to the Aliens' Registration Office to obtain a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker, for employment with a high level of practical vocational knowledge, for studies or for other purposes to which you are legally entitled (change of purpose).
Training and further education companies that wish to train or further educate a person from abroad can apply for the accelerated skilled worker procedure at the foreigners authority on behalf of the foreigner, which can facilitate and accelerate the entry of skilled workers (see Further information).

- Valid passport
- Current biometric photo
- Proof of health insurance
- Training or further education contract
- Approval from 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 parental authority to the planned stay if you have not yet reached the age of 18

In addition, if you have recently entered Germany:
- Visa, if this was required for entry
and in the case of a previous stay:
- Current residence permit
Further documents are required for the accelerated skilled worker procedure. Please contact the relevant immigration authority for this.

- You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and - if this was required for entry - an appropriate visa.
- There is no interest in deporting you.
- Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Your livelihood is secure.Your livelihood is secured.
- If you are taking up qualified vocational training, you can prove that you have the necessary language skills.
- You have the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

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

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

The procedure is as follows:
- Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application.
If you apply electronically, the foreigners authority will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment at the foreigners authority. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring the originals with you to the appointment).
- If you can only submit your application in person, please make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (bring the originals with you to the appointment).
- If the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required, the Foreigners' Registration Office will usually obtain this in an internal administrative procedure.
- You will then receive either the residence permit you have applied for or a notice of refusal.
- The residence permit will be issued for a limited period.The residence permit is issued for a limited period and is only valid for this purpose of residence.
- If the purpose of your residence changes, you must inform the relevant immigration authority immediately.
- The residence permit is issued in cheque card format with additional electronic functions (eAT card). Your fingerprints will be taken at the Foreigners' Registration Office to issue it. You must also provide a signature.
- After around six to eight weeks, you can collect the eAT card from the Foreigners' Registration Office. You must always collect it in person.
- Fees are charged for the issue of the residence permit and the eAT card. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.
- You must apply for an extension of your residence permit in good time before it expires.
To carry out the accelerated skilled worker procedure, the training and further education company must contact the immigration authority responsible for the place of training or further education. A central office may have been set up in your federal state to carry out the procedure.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification
• Legal action before the court named in the objection notice if the objection is not upheld

• Residence permit for the purpose of training Issued for training and further education purposes
• Residence permits can be issued in order to complete in-company vocational training or further training in Germany
• Residence permit can be issued regardless of previous education
• Admission to qualified vocational training as well as non-qualified vocational training is possible
• Qualified vocational training: Vocational training in a state-recognized or comparable regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified 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 the 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 for residence permits for vocational training that is not qualified vocational training or for further training. If, in these cases, a language course is to be attended before the initial or further training, a residence permit for attending a language course must be applied for beforehand
• For vocational training that is not qualified, at least sufficient German language skills required (language level A2)
• In-company further training: qualification measures, internships, practical phases following a course of study, trainee programs
• No language proficiency requirements for in-company further training
• Proof of livelihood must be provided for the entire duration of in-company training or further training
• Gainful employment permitted during qualified vocational training for up to ten hours per week; otherwise not permitted; self-employment not permitted under any circumstances
• Approval of the Federal Employment Agency required
• Residence permit is issued for a limited period and is only valid for the purpose of initial and further training; validity is generally based on the total duration of initial or further training
• Under certain circumstances, a residence permit may be linked to an obligation to attend an integration course
• For persons who have not yet reached the age of 18, the consent of a legal guardian is required
• Vocational training allowance possible (see Further information)
• After completing qualified vocational training, a residence permit can be issued for up to twelve months to look for a job.
• If the qualified vocational training ends prematurely, it may be possible to look for a training place for up to six months
• Change of purpose of residence generally possible
• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, you can apply online or in person
• A residence permit is issued subject to a fee; the 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 foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence; for the accelerated skilled worker procedure Foreigners' Registration Office at the location of the company where the foreigner is to be employed, unless a central office has been set up for the procedure

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

For the accelerated procedure for skilled workers:
Foreigners' Registration Office at the place of employment, unless a central office has been set up to carry out the procedure.

You can also obtain free advice on entry, residence and employment from the 'Hotline Working and Living in Germany' of the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad. Telephone: 030 1815-1111 Service times: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for issuing the residence permit.

For the accelerated procedure for skilled workers:

Foreigners' Registration Office at the place of employment, unless a central office has been set up to carry out the procedure.