Aufenthaltserlaubnis; Beantragung für betriebliche Aus- und Fortbildung und schulische Berufsausbildung

§§ Sections 16a et seq. of the Residence Act

A residence permit can be issued for in-company or school-based vocational training in Germany.

You can apply for a residence permit for vocational training in Germany. Entry is usually preceded by applying for the relevant visa at the responsible German diplomatic mission abroad. The training can be either in-company or school-based. If in-company training is planned, the training can be preceded by attending a German language course to prepare for the vocational training, in particular attending a vocational German language course in accordance with the German Language Support Ordinance. You can also apply for a residence permit for school-based vocational training if it leads to a state-recognized vocational qualification. Further information on vocational training in Germany can be found on the "Make it in Germany" website. The residence permit entitles you to work up to 20 hours per week independently of your vocational training.

The documents to be submitted may vary considerably. Please enquire at your local foreigners authority.

The approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required for in-company vocational training. For school-based training, the course must lead to a state-recognized vocational qualification in accordance with federal or state regulations and must not be aimed primarily at nationals of one country. In the case of qualified vocational training (at least two years), proof of sufficient German language skills (level B1) is required if the language skills required for the specific qualified vocational training have neither been tested by the educational institution nor are to be acquired through a preparatory German language course. The training company can confirm that the existing German language skills can be considered sufficient for the specific training. It is not a prerequisite that the vocational training is qualified vocational training (at least two years). However, it should be noted that a new residence permit cannot usually be issued after the end of the vocational training, as only qualified vocational training qualifies you as a skilled worker. An exception applies to trained nursing assistants (care assistants). Living expenses must be secured during the stay for vocational training. In principle, the minimum amount for securing a livelihood in accordance with Section 2 (3) sentence 5 AufenthG for trainees in company or school-based training for the year 2025 is € 959 (BMI announcement). This can be secured through the training allowance. In the case of school-based vocational training or if there is a difference, the required amount can be proven by means of secondary employment (see above), a blocked account or the submission of a declaration of commitment.

100 EUR

Many immigration authorities already offer an online application procedure. If an online procedure is available, it will be displayed in the Saarland Service Portal under "Online procedure" if you have entered your place of residence under "Select location". If your foreigners authority does not offer an online procedure, please contact the foreigners authority by e-mail.

The processing time may vary. If necessary, please enquire at the responsible foreigners authority.

Any change of training company or training course in Germany must be applied for in good time at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

If a foreign professional qualification already exists, a so-called recognition procedure can be carried out to check whether it is equivalent to German professional training. If this is the case, it may no longer be necessary to complete vocational training and a residence permit as a skilled worker can be applied for. A recognition procedure can be carried out either as part of a recognition partnership in Germany or before entering the country from abroad. If the recognition procedure shows that the foreign vocational training is only partially equivalent, it is possible to complete adaptation/compensation measures in Germany.

Administrative court action

A residence permit can be issued for in-company or school-based vocational training in Germany.

Central Aliens Office of the Saarland