Residence permit – education or further training

Description

A residence permit can be issued for the duration of in-company training and further training or school-based vocational training. Qualified vocational training lasts at least two years.

Company-based training and further education
You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of in-company training and further education if the Federal Employment Agency has approved the activity or the activity is permitted without approval. The residence permit also includes attending a German language course as preparation. In-company further training requires you to have completed vocational training.

Vocational training at school
The granting of a residence permit for the purpose of school-based vocational training requires that the vocational training leads to a state-recognised vocational qualification and that the course is not predominantly aimed at nationals of one country.

Visa procedure
If you come from a third country ( non-EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland), you generally need a visa to enter the country for the purpose of training, which must be applied for at the German diplomatic mission abroad.

The visa is not required for citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. They can apply directly to the Foreigners Office responsible for their place of residence.

After entering the country
After your arrival in Munich, you must first register your residence at the Citizens Office.

Application for a residence permit
You must apply for a residence permit for the purpose of vocational training or further education before your visa/residence permit expires. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entering the country.

Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After your application has been checked, you will receive an appointment from us for a personal interview.

Prerequisites

• You have a concrete offer for your vocational training or further education or school-based training.
• For an apprenticeship: You have German language skills of at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the German language skills required for the apprenticeship. Alternatively, you can take part in a German course before or during your training.
• You can prove that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay. This is the case if your monthly income (in 2024) is at least
  
  • 903 euros for an apprenticeship or
  • 934 euros in the case of further education.
  If you can prove that you have accommodation with rent and ancillary costs of less than 360 euros, the amount to be proven will be reduced accordingly.

• In the case of in-company further training: You have completed vocational training.
  • At least two years of in-company or school-based vocational training or
  • University of Applied Sciences or university education

Required documents

• Fully completed application form
• Valid passport or passport replacement
• A recent biometric passport photo (photo machines can also be found at the Foreigners Office)
• Valid visa for entry for the purpose of education or further training, if required
• Proof of health insurance (insurance card or membership certificate) of your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy of a private health insurance (travel health insurance is not sufficient)
• Proof that you are able to secure your livelihood:
  
  • Proof of training or further education remuneration or
  • Blocked account of a German bank or
    
  • Declaration of commitment or
    
  • Scholarship certificate or
    
  • Declaration by the parents that they will be able to support themselves for the duration of the course, with proof of the parents' income for the last three months
• Training or further training contract
  
• In the case of in-company initial or further training: Form "Declaration of employment relationship"
• In the case of training: Certificate of sufficient German language skills (B1) of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages or confirmation of participation in a German language course.
• If you are under 18 years of age: Written declaration of consent of the person entitled to custody (parents)

In individual cases, further documents may be required.

Legal basis

• § 16a Residence Act
• EU Directive 2009/50/EC (Highly Qualified Persons Directive)