Residence permit – education or further training

Description

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

In-company training and further training: You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of in-company training and further training if the Federal Employment Agency has approved the activity or if the activity is permitted without approval. The residence permit also covers attendance at a preparatory German language course. In-company further training requires that you have 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 is not primarily aimed at nationals of a particular country.

Before entering the country

You will generally need a visa to enter Germany. You can find all the information on the visa application process on our website. ​

After entry

You must first register your place of residence at the Citizens’ Office.

Application for a residence permit

Before your national D visa or current residence permit expires, you must apply for a residence permit. Please use the same online application form to renew your residence permit as you did for your initial application. ​

You can submit your application and the required documents online:

• Please upload your documents as PDF files where possible.
• Once you have submitted your application, a confirmation will be displayed. You can save this as a PDF file for your records.
• This confirmation states that your current residence permit remains valid in Germany beyond its previous expiry date and that you may continue to work to the same extent as before (legal fiction).
• You can present this confirmation as proof to the authorities or at your place of work.
• Once your application has been assessed, you will be given an appointment.

Period of validity

The residence permit for education or further training is granted for the duration of the relevant course of study plus a further six months.

Requirements

• You have a specific offer for your in-company training or further education, or for school-based training.
• For vocational training: You have a command of German at least at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or possess the German language skills required for the training programme. Alternatively, you may attend a German language course before or during your training.
• You must be able to prove that you have sufficient means to support yourself for the duration of your stay. This is the case if your monthly income (in 2026) is at least
  • €822 net / €1,048 gross for vocational training, or
  • 959 euros for school-based education, or
  • 992 euros for further training.
  If you can provide evidence of accommodation where the rent and service charges are less than 360 euros, the amount you need to prove is reduced accordingly.

• For in-company further training: You have completed vocational training.
  • At least two years’ in-company or school-based vocational training, or
  • a degree from a university of applied sciences or a university

Required documents

• A fully completed application form
• Valid passport or passport substitute
• A recent biometric passport photograph, submitted digitally by a certified photography studio or chemist’s. Alternatively, you may use one of the photo kiosks at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Centre for a fee.
• A valid visa for entry for the purpose of education or further training, where required
• Proof of health insurance (insurance card or membership certificate) from your statutory health insurance scheme or the insurance policy from a private health insurance provider (travel health insurance is not sufficient)
• Proof of sufficient means of support:
  • Proof of remuneration for your education or further training, or
  • A blocked account with a German bank or financial institution
  • Declaration of financial support or
  • Scholarship certificate or
  • A declaration from the parents undertaking to cover living expenses for the duration of the course, together with evidence of the parents’ income for the last three months
• Training or further education contract
• In the case of in-company training or further education: the ‘Declaration of Employment’ form
• For an apprenticeship: Certificate confirming sufficient German language skills (B1) in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or confirmation of attendance at a German language course.
• If you are under 18 years of age: Written declaration of consent from the persons authorised to exercise parental responsibility (parents)

Please note

• The documents submitted (such as proof of identity and language certificates) will be checked for authenticity. We consistently report any forgeries to the police.

• If we require any further documents, we will write to you.

Legal basis

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