Visa for basic or advanced vocational training and to seek a vocational training place

Visa for basic or advanced vocational training and to seek a vocational training place at a glance

You can obtain a residence permit to take up basic or advanced vocational training as well as to look for a vocational training place in Germany, provided you meet the relevant requirements.

Basic vocational training can be school-based or in-company training that leads to a state-recognised vocational qualification in accordance with federal or federal-state regulations. The approval of the Federal Employment Agency is generally required to take up in-company basic or advanced vocational training. This approval is obtained as part of your visa application via an internal procedure carried out by the German authorities.

You generally need a visa for entry, which you can apply for online using the Consular Services Portal or you can go to your local German mission. Information regarding possible exemptions from the visa requirement can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

The visa for basic and advanced vocational training is generally issued for one year. With a visa to look for a vocational training place, you can travel to Germany for up to nine months and apply there for a training position.

Please note:

Some German missions abroad work together with service providers to check applications. These service providers help to ensure that applications are processed quickly and smoothly and may charge a service fee for this. You will find out during the application process whether the German mission or consulate responsible for you works with a service provider and what service fee is charged.

Online visa application for basic or advanced vocational training and to seek a vocational training place

Register on the Consular Services Portal and apply online for your visa.

Visa for basic and advanced vocational training and to seek a vocational training place

The following basic requirements must be met in order to take up basic or advanced vocational training and to seek a vocational training place:
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For basic and advanced vocational training: Contract for in-company or school-based basic or advanced vocational training with a training plan.

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To seek a vocational training place: School-leaving certificate entitling the holder to enter higher education or a school-leaving certificate from a German school abroad.

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To seek a vocational training place: The applicant may not be 35 or older.

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German language skills generally at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and

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sufficient financial means to secure your livelihood for the duration of your stay in Germany. You can find more information in the next section.

Special regulations concerning the requirements

The language skills required for basic and advanced vocational training may vary depending on the type of training and in specific cases. Your language level must generally be sufficient for you to complete the basic or advanced vocational training programme. This can be confirmed by the educational institution or vocational school as well as by the company providing vocational training.

As a rule, Level B1 language skills of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are sufficient. This language level is mandatory for the visa to seek a vocational training place. A recognised language certificate must be presented as proof.

If you would like to complete qualified school-based or in-company vocational training, you can also obtain the language level required as part of your visa by attending a preparatory language course before starting your vocational training in Germany. This does not apply to advanced vocational training.

In the case of basic and advanced vocational training and in order to seek a vocational training place, you must be able to prove that you can support yourself for the duration of your stay in Germany. In the case of in-company or school-based vocational training, at least EUR 903 per month (as of 2024) is required, and at least EUR 1,027 per month (as of 2024) in the case of advanced vocational training.

If you are completing in-company vocational training, you can submit your training allowance as proof that you can support yourself. If the training allowance is not sufficient, proof that you can support yourself can be supplemented by a blocked account or by a Declaration of Commitment. This form of proof is also required in the case of school-based basic vocational training or advanced vocational training without a training allowance as well as when searching for a vocational training place.

Living expenses can also be covered by a part-time job of up to 20 working hours per week. While you are looking for a vocational training place, you also have the opportunity to spend up to two weeks doing trial work to familiarise yourself with potential training positions.

Still have questions?

Frequently asked questions and answers with more information on how to use the Consular Services Portal and the online application process can be found in our FAQ section. Take a look and see if you can find the answer to your question.

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Make it in Germany

The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on all consular services as well as on German foreign policy.

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Federal Foreign Office

The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on all consular services as well as on German foreign policy.

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