Informationen zur Teilnahme am Integrationskurs

• § 43, § 44 and § 44a of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act)
• Ordinance on the implementation of integration courses for foreigners and late repatriates (Integration Course Ordinance

If you want to live in Germany permanently, you should learn German and have knowledge of the history, culture and legal system of the Federal Republic of Germany. You will be supported in this by the integration course.

By taking part in an integration course, you will learn

• to communicate independently in everyday German (level B1 of the CEFR) and

• everyday knowledge about life in Germany and knowledge about our culture and recent history.

The course therefore basically consists of

• a language course of 600 teaching units (45 minutes each) to learn the German language and

• an orientation course of 100 teaching units (45 minutes each) to acquire everyday knowledge about life in Germany.

Your ability to take part in an integration course depends on your residence status.

COURSE TYPES

Each integration course consists of

• a language course to learn the German language and

• an orientation course to acquire everyday knowledge about life in Germany as well as knowledge of the legal system, culture and history of our country.

You must complete both parts of the course with a test ("Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer" and "Leben in Deutschland" test).

Before you attend the integration course, you will take a placement test. You will be assigned to a specific course module based on your test results. You may also be recommended to attend a special integration course.

The following course types are available to you:

General integration course

• The general integration course lasts a total of 700 teaching units (45 minutes each) and consists of

• 600 teaching units in the language course (6 sections and 100 teaching units in the orientation course.

• Special integration courses

These courses are offered for

• women
• parents
• young adults who are no longer required to attend school and have not yet reached the age of 27
• Immigrants who have learned to write in one or more languages with a non-Latin writing system and are literate in these languages (second language learning course),
• Immigrants who are unable to read or write (literacy course) and
• People who have been living in Germany for some time and have only partially learned the German language (remedial courses)

The special integration courses last 1,000 teaching units and consist of

• 900 teaching units in the language course (9 sections of 100 units each) and
• 100 teaching units in the orientation course.

An exception among the special courses is the second language course with 600 teaching units in the language course and 100 units in the orientation course.

The other exception is the

• intensive courses
  The intensive courses are suitable for particularly fast learners and highly qualified participants.

  An intensive course lasts a total of 430 teaching units and consists of

  • 400 teaching units in the language course and

  • 30 teaching units in the orientation course.

If you have duly attended the integration course (have exhausted your individual quota of lessons with regular attendance) but have not successfully completed the German test for immigrants, you have the option of applying to the regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees responsible for you (see WebGIS) for admission to repeat 300 teaching units.

If you last attended the literacy or second language course, you must have completed your individual quota of lessons with regular attendance but not the German test for immigrants before submitting the application for admission to repeat the course.

Please use one of these forms:

• Regular application

• Application for participants of the literacy course (Note: Information from the course provider is also required here)

• Application for participants of the second literacy course (Note: Information from the course provider is also required here)

Please note that the application for admission to repeat 300 teaching units can also be accompanied by an application for exemption from the cost contribution obligation. If you are admitted to repeat the course, you will not automatically be exempted from the cost contribution.

The separate application form can be found here.

COURSE SEARCH

You can find suitable integration courses in your area using the information system of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees WebGIS or via the KURSNET portal of the Federal Employment Agency.

By entering your zip code or place of residence, you can search for the contact details of the facilities available to you.

You can get personal help in finding a suitable integration course from the following offices:

• Migration counseling for adult immigrants and youth migration service

• Immigration office

• Employment agency, basic income support provider or corresponding local authority institution

• AsylbLG benefits provider

• Integration course provider
  Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

To register for an integration course, you need a certificate of eligibility, which can be issued by the following authorities:

• Foreigners' Registration Office (eligibility or obligation to attend)

• Basic income support provider (obligation to attend)

• AsylbLG benefits provider (obligation to attend)

• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (admission, admission for repetition)

• Federal Office of Administration (confirmation of entitlement for ethnic German repatriates)

PARTICIPATION OPTIONS / COURSE TYPES / COURSE SEARCH

As a non-EU citizen (foreigner from a third country) you are entitled to take part in an integration course,

• if you received a residence permit for the first time after January 1, 2005 and are permanently resident in Germany

  • as an employee (§§ 18, 21 AufenthG),

  • for reasons of family reunification (§§ 28, 29, 30, 32, 36 AufenthG);

  • as a long-term resident (§ 38a AufenthG),

• if you received a residence or settlement permit for the first time after January 1, 2005 for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons and are residing permanently in Germany

  • by order of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to safeguard special political interests (Section 23 (2) AufenthG) or

  • by order of the Federal Ministry of the Interior for the resettlement of persons seeking protection (resettlement refugees, Section 23 (4) AufenthG) or

  • upon recognition as a person entitled to asylum (§ 25 Para. 1 AufenthG) or

  • if refugee status or subsidiary protection is granted (§ 25 Para. 2 AufenthG) or

  • as a victim of a criminal offense under §§ 232, 233 or 233a StGB after the criminal proceedings have ended, if humanitarian or personal reasons or public interests require their continued presence in the federal territory (§ 25 Para. 4a Sentence 3 AufenthG) or

  • in the case of sustainable integration of tolerated persons (§ 25b AufenthG).

Furthermore, ethnic German repatriates and their spouses or descendants are entitled to free participation in an integration course (§ 9 Para. 1 BVFG). The corresponding confirmation is issued by the Federal Office of Administration.

You are not entitled to attend an integration course if

• you are a child, adolescent or young adult and you are starting a school education or continuing your previous school career in the Federal Republic of Germany,

• you have a recognizably low need for integration or

• if you already have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1 of the CEFR).

In the latter case, however, you have the option of taking part in the orientation course.

Under certain circumstances, an authority may also oblige you to take part. Such an obligation to attend is possible:

• by the foreigners authority: If you are entitled to participate and

  • cannot communicate at least in a simple way in German (level A1 of the CEFR) (§ 44a para. 1 sentence 1 no. 1 lit. a) or

  • do not have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1 of the CEFR) at the time the residence title is issued in accordance with Section 23 (2), Section 28 (1) sentence 1 no. 1 or Section 30 AufenthG (Section 44a (1) sentence 1 no. 1 lit. b).

The immigration authority can also oblige you to take part in a course when issuing a residence permit in accordance with § 25 Para. 1 or 2 AufenthG (asylum seeker, refugee status or subsidiary protection) if you can only communicate in a simple way in German (level A1 of the CEFR).

You are also obliged to take part in the integration course if you have a particular need for integration and the immigration authority asks you to take part (§ 44a Para. 1 S. 1 No. 3 AufenthG).

A special need for integration can be assumed in particular if, as the holder of personal care for a minor child living in Germany, you do not have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1 of the CEFR) and have therefore not yet been able to integrate into the economic, cultural and social life of the Federal Republic of Germany without state assistance.

• by the basic income support provider:

  • If you receive unemployment benefit II and participation in the integration course is provided for in the integration agreement under SGB II (Section 44a (1) sentence 1 no. 2 AufenthG).

• by the provider of benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (§ 44a Para. 1 S. 1 No. 4 AufenthG): If you receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act and

  • are an asylum seeker with a residence permit in accordance with § 55 Para. 1 Asylum Seekers Benefits Act and you are expected to have a legal permanent residence permit (good prospects of remaining, which is currently the case for the following countries of origin: Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, Somalia and Syria) and the Federal Republic of Germany is responsible for carrying out your asylum procedure or

  • have a tolerated stay according to § 60a para. 2 sentence 3 AufenthG or

  • have a residence permit in accordance with § 25 Para. 5 AufenthG.

You are exempt from the obligation to participate if

• you are undergoing vocational or other training in Germany,

• you can provide evidence of participation in comparable educational programs in Germany (e.g. public or private schools, vocational schools or private courses offered by employers or other providers) or

• your participation is permanently impossible or unreasonable (e.g. if you have a disability or are caring for disabled family members).

You can be admitted to an integration course by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees if there are places available,

• if you are a German citizen, do not have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1 of the CEFR) and have not yet succeeded in integrating into economic, cultural and social life in Germany without state assistance (§ 44 Para. 4 Sentence 2 Alt. 1 AufenthG in conjunction with § 5 Para. 4 No. 4 IntV),

• if you are an EU citizen entitled to freedom of movement or a member of their family without sufficient language skills (level B1 of the CEFR) and you have not yet succeeded in integrating into economic, cultural and social life in Germany without state assistance (Sec. 11 (1) Sentence 1 FreizügG/EU in conjunction with Sec. 44 (4) AufenthG). § 44 Para. 4 AufenthG and § 5 Para. 4 No. 4 IntV),

• if you are a non-EU citizen and acquired your residence permit before January 1, 2005 (Sec. 44 (4) Sentence 1 AufenthG),

• if you are a non-EU citizen who was legally entitled to attend an integration course but was prevented from attending for reasons for which you are not responsible,

• if you are a non-EU citizen and

  • are an asylum seeker with a residence permit in accordance with § 55 Para. 1 AsylG and you are expected to stay in Germany permanently (good prospects of staying, which is currently the case for the following countries of origin: Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, Somalia and Syria) and the Federal Republic of Germany is responsible for carrying out your asylum procedure or

  • have a tolerated stay according to § 60a para. 2 sentence 3 AufenthG or

  • have a residence permit in accordance with § 25 Para. 5 AufenthG.

1. course costs

For participation in the integration course, a cost contribution must be paid to the Federal Office via the course provider where you attended the integration course. The person who is obliged to provide you with living expenses is also obliged to make the payment. The cost contribution must be paid at the beginning of each course section.

Each 45-minute lesson currently costs EUR 1.95.

• The general integration course and the second language course will therefore cost you a total of EUR 1,365.00 for 600 units of language course and 100 units of orientation course. If you repeat 300 units of the language course, the total amount increases to EUR 1,950.00.

• The special integration courses therefore cost you a total of EUR 1,950.00 for 900 hours of language course and 100 units of orientation course. If you repeat 300 units of the language course, the total amount increases to EUR 2,535.00.

The intensive course will therefore cost you a total of EUR 838.50 (for 400 units of language course and 30 units of orientation course). If you fail the German test for immigrants after your quota in the language course has been exhausted, you will incur further costs (200 units at EUR 1.95 each = EUR 390.00 plus, if applicable, 300 units at EUR 1.95 each = EUR 585.00, up to a total of EUR 1,813.50).

2. in the following cases you do not have to pay any course costs:

• As a late repatriate (confirmation from the Federal Office of Administration), you are always exempt from course costs.

• If you are obliged to attend the course by the provider of basic income support or the provider of benefits under the AsylbLG.

• If you have been admitted by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, if you are an asylum seeker with a residence permit in accordance with § 55 Para. 1 of the Asylum Act and you are expected to have a legal permanent residence permit (good prospects of staying, which is currently the case for the following countries of origin: Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, Somalia and Syria) and the Federal Republic of Germany is responsible for carrying out your asylum procedure or you have a tolerated stay permit in accordance with § 60a Para. 2 Sentence 3 of the Residence Act or you have a residence permit in accordance with § 25 Para. 5 of the Residence Act.

• If, as in the above cases, you are not automatically exempt from the cost contribution obligation, but receive benefits according to SGB II or SGB XII, you have the option - ideally before the start of your integration course - to submit an application for exemption from the cost contribution obligation to the regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees responsible for you (see WebGIS).

Please use one of these application forms:

• Simultaneous application for admission to the integration course and exemption from costs (foreigners)

• Simultaneous application for admission to the integration course and exemption from costs (German nationals)

• Separate cost exemption application.

• If you do not receive benefits according to SGB II or SGB XII, you can apply to the regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees responsible for you (see WebGIS) for exemption from the cost contribution obligation as part of a hardship case. As a rule, a case of hardship always exists if you can provide proof or a decision from another authority regarding your financial need. This includes, for example, current notifications of receipt of

  • housing benefit

  • BAföG

  • Child benefit supplement

  • Benefits according to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act,

  • Exemption from daycare fees,

  • exemption from GEZ fees or

  • presentation of your local social ticket.

Please use one of these application forms:

• Simultaneous application for admission to the integration course and exemption from costs (foreigners)

• Simultaneous application for admission to the integration course and exemption from costs (German nationals)

• Separate cost exemption application

If you have to pay the costs of the course yourself, you can apply to have half of your course costs reimbursed. This is possible if you have successfully completed the integration course (passed the German test for immigrants and the "Living in Germany" test) within two years of the first issue of your entitlement to participate (confirmation from the Federal Office of Administration, authorization/obligation from the immigration authority, obligation from the basic income support provider, obligation from the provider of benefits under the AsylbLG, approval from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees).

Please use this application form. Submit it to the regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees responsible for you (see WebGIS).

Please note that the above-mentioned deadline is a cut-off deadline. If this deadline is exceeded, regardless of the reasons given, half of the cost contributions you have made will not be refunded.

3. reimbursement or subsidization of your travel costs

If you have been exempted from the obligation to contribute to the costs of the integration course, either automatically or on application, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees will reimburse or subsidize your travel costs (usually for the use of local public transport in the amount of the cheapest ticket) on application, provided that you are taking part in the integration course as required and that there is a need for this.

There is a need if the distance between your place of residence and the course location you are attending is more than 3 km and there is no other course provider within this distance from your place of residence that can offer you a course that meets your needs in a timely manner.

You are free to choose the integration course provider. However, you will then have to bear the travel costs that would not be incurred if you did not choose a timely and needs-based course that is available in the immediate vicinity of your home.

Please use one of these application forms for the reimbursement of travel costs:

• All eligible participants (except late repatriates)

• Late repatriates

Submit this to the regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees responsible for you (see WebGIS).

To take part in an integration course, you need a valid authorization certificate, which can be issued by the following authorities, depending on your residence status:

• Foreigners' Registration Office (eligibility or obligation to attend)

• Basic income support provider (obligation to attend)

• AsylbLG benefits provider (obligation to participate)

• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (admission, admission for repetition)

• Federal Office of Administration (confirmation of entitlement for ethnic German repatriates).

After receiving the certificate of eligibility to participate in an integration course, register as soon as possible with a course provider in your area (see WebGIS).

If there is a validity date on the eligibility certificate, you must register with a course provider before the expiry date. It is no longer possible to register after the expiry date.

If you have been obliged to take part in an integration course, you must register immediately and send proof of this to the obligatory body (immigration authority, basic income support provider or provider of benefits under the AsylbLG).

You can find information on course providers and course offers in the Information system of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

If you have any further questions, please use the contact details provided in the "Contact point" module.

After receiving your certificate of eligibility to take part in an integration course, register as soon as possible with a course provider in your area (see WebGIS).

If there is a validity date on the authorization certificate, you must register with a course provider until the expiry date. It is no longer possible to register after the expiry date.

If you have been obliged to take part in the integration course, you must register immediately and send proof of this to the obligatory body (immigration authority, basic income support provider or provider of benefits under the AsylbLG).

If you would like to live in Germany permanently, you should learn German and have knowledge of the history, culture and legal system of the Federal Republic. You will be supported in this by the integration course.

By taking part in an integration course, you will learn

• to communicate independently in everyday German (level B1 of the CEFR)

  as well as

• everyday knowledge about life in Germany and knowledge about our culture and recent history.

The course therefore basically consists of

• a language course of 600 teaching units (45 minutes each) to learn the German language and

• an orientation course of 100 teaching units (45 minutes each) to acquire everyday knowledge about life in Germany.

Your ability to take part in an integration course depends on your residence status.

Organization name:

Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

Citizen Service

Address:

Frankenstr. 210

90461 Nuremberg

Opening hours: *

Mon - Fri 09:00 - 13:00

Barrier-free access:

The building is barrier-free accessible.

Contact options: *

You can reach us by telephone on +49 911 943-6390 (Citizens' Service)

You can also reach us by e-mail at: info.buerger@bamf.bund.de

Federal Office for Migration and Refugees