Residence permit – education or further training

Description

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

In-company initial and continuing vocational training
You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of in-company initial and further training if the Federal Employment Agency has approved the activity or the activity is permissible without approval. The residence permit also includes attending a German language course in preparation. In-company further training requires completed vocational training.

School-based vocational training
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 of education is not predominantly aimed at nationals of a state.

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

The visa is not required for nationals 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 entry
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 title expires. If you can enter Germany without a visa for this purpose, you must apply for a residence permit at the Aliens' Registration Office within 90 days of your entry.

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

Prerequisites

• You have a concrete offer for your in-company training or further training or school-based training.
• In the case of an apprenticeship: You have German language skills at least at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the German language skills required for the apprenticeship. Alternatively, you can attend a German course before or during your training.
• You can prove that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay. This applies if your monthly income (in 2023) is at least
  
  • 903 euros in the case of training or
  • 934 euros in the case of further education.
  If you can prove that you have accommodation with rental and ancillary costs of less than 360 euros, the amount to be proven is 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)