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Apply for a residence permit for education and training purposes

Service Description

If you are a national of a non-EU or non-EEA country, you will need a residence permit for training purposes in order to undertake in-company training or further training in Germany.

The residence permit can be issued both for qualified vocational training and for vocational training that is not qualified.

Qualified vocational training exists if it is vocational training in a state-recognized or comparably regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified according to federal or state regulations. If these requirements are not met, it is not a case of qualified vocational training.

In-company further training is understood to mean, for example, qualification measures, internships, practical phases following studies or trainee programs.

The residence permit can be issued irrespective of your previous qualification, i.e. it is not linked to special school requirements. The training company has to check whether trainees are suitable for vocational training.

If you wish to attend a language course prior to vocational training that is not qualified vocational training or prior to further training, you must first apply for a residence permit to attend a language course and then apply for a residence permit for training and further training purposes.

During qualified vocational training, you are entitled to pursue employment for up to ten hours per week that is independent of your vocational training. Gainful employment alongside vocational training that is not qualified or in-company further training is not permitted. Self-employment is not permitted under any circumstances.

You can apply for vocational training allowance for the duration of your training or further education (see "Further information").

Training and further education companies wishing to train or further train a person from abroad can apply to the Foreigners' Registration Office for the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, which facilitates and accelerates the entry of skilled workers (see "Further information").

Process flow

Before entering Germany, you must usually apply for a national visa for Germany in your home country. After your entry, you must then apply for a residence permit.

The residence permit must be applied for at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence before your visa expires.

The procedure is as follows:

  • Depending on the foreigners authority and your concerns, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application. In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be reviewed (bring the originals with you to the appointment).
  • If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring the originals to the appointment).
  • If the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required, the Foreigners' Registration Office will usually obtain this in an internal administrative procedure.
  • You will then receive either the residence permit you applied for or a rejection notice.
  • The residence permit is issued for a limited period and is only valid for this purpose of stay.
  • If the purpose of your stay changes, you must inform the relevant Aliens' Registration Office immediately.
  • The residence permit is issued in credit card format with additional electronic functions (eAT card). Your fingerprints will be taken at the Aliens' Registration Office. You will also have to provide a signature.
  • After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up your eAT card at the Aliens' Registration Office. As a rule, you must pick it up in person.
  • There are fees for the issuance of the residence permit and the eAT card. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.
  • You must apply for an extension of your residence permit in good time before it expires. In order to carry out the accelerated skilled worker procedure, the training and further education company contacts the foreigners authority responsible for the location of the training or further education. Under certain circumstances, a central office has been set up in your federal state to carry out the procedure.

Who should I contact?

For the issuance of a national visa prior to entry into the Federal territory: The German mission abroad (embassy, consulate).

For the issuance of a residence permit after entry: The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

For the accelerated skilled worker procedure:
Foreigners' authority at the place of service, unless a central office has been set up to carry out the procedure.

Competent authority

For the issuance of a national visa prior to entry into the Federal territory: The German mission abroad (embassy, consulate).

For the issuance of a residence permit after entry: The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

For the accelerated skilled worker procedure:
Foreigners' authority at the place of service, unless a central office has been set up to carry out the procedure.

Requirements

  • You have a recognized and valid passport or passport replacement and - if this was required for entry - an appropriate visa.
  • There is no interest in deportation against you.
  • Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • Your livelihood is secured.
  • If you take up qualified vocational training, you can prove that you have the necessary language skills.
  • The approval of the Federal Employment Agency has been obtained.

Which documents are required?

  • Valid passport or passport replacement
  • Current biometric photo
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Education or training contract
  • Approval of the Federal Employment Agency
  • In case of qualified vocational training: Proof of language skills (e.g. language certificates)
  • Proof that your livelihood is secured (e.g. rental contract)
  • Consent of the person with parental authority to the planned stay, if you have not yet reached the age of 18.

Furthermore

  • in case of recent entry:Visa, if this was required for the entry

as well as in case of a previous stay

  • Current residence title
  • Further documents are required for the implementation of the accelerated skilled worker procedure. For this purpose, please contact the competent foreigners authority

What are the fees?

Issuance of a residence permit: EUR 100.00

Change of an existing residence permit to obtain a residence permit for education and training purposes (change of purpose): EUR 98.00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be considered.

Note: The fee for issuing the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is EUR 67.00.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

  • The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before your still valid visa or residence permit expires.
  • The residence permit is usually issued for the duration of the education or training.
  • Time limit for appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office: one month

Processing duration

You can inquire about the processing time of the visa procedure at the German missions abroad at the mission responsible for you.

The processing of your application for a residence permit takes about six to eight weeks.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

An appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office may be filed with the court specified in the decision.

Appeal

  • Online procedure occasionally possible
  • Written form required: yes
  • Personal appearance required: yes

Supporting institutions

You can also obtain free advice on the topics of entry, residence and occupation from the hotline "Working and Living in Germany" from the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.

Phone: 030 1815-1111 Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Author

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Thuringian Ministry for Migration, Justice and Consumer Protection

Professionally released on

20.01.2023

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

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