Apply for Residence Permit for School-Based Vocational Training
You want to do a school-based vocational training in Germany? Here is how to apply for your residence permit.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit for a school-based vocational training?
You want to do a school-based vocational training in Germany? Then you will generally be granted a residence permit if the training leads to a state-recognised vocational qualification.
This mainly opens up training programmes at vocational schools and healthcare schools in education, health, and social professions. These training programmes are not regulated under the Vocational Training Act or the Crafts Code.
The residence permit is generally valid for the entire duration of the training. You are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. Self-employment is not permitted.
Important: The educational programme must not be aimed predominantly at nationals of one particular country.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You are completing a school-based vocational training in Germany that leads to a state-recognised or comparably regulated vocational qualification — at vocational colleges, specialised academies, specialised grammar schools, technical colleges, healthcare schools, vocational schools, or private state-recognised supplementary schools
Additional requirements
- Your livelihood must be secured: at least 959.00 euros per month (11,508.00 euros per year) corresponding to the maximum BAföG funding rate (value for 2025) — if there are training fees, the minimum amount increases accordingly
- You need sufficient health insurance in Germany (statutory or comparable private insurance; a foreign insurance is generally not sufficient)
- You need your primary residence in Berlin — a secondary residence is not sufficient
How to apply
Submit the online application "Residence permit for training and further training purposes" — at the earliest 8 weeks before your current residence title expires; have all documents ready in PDF format
Pay the processing fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or PayPal before submitting the application
Save and print the confirmation of your application — this keeps your current residence title valid beyond its previous expiry date (does not apply to Schengen visas)
Wait for the LEA to review your application — if needed, they will request additional documents
Attend your appointment in person and bring the documents listed in the invitation letter
Done! You will receive your residence permit for the school-based vocational training.
First-time issuance
- Extension for up to three months96,00 EUR
- Extension for more than three months93,00 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to 24 years (issuance and extension)22,80 EUR
- Turkish nationals from 24 years (issuance and extension)37,00 EUR
Good to know
During your school-based vocational training, you may switch to a different residence title at any time. The requirement is that you meet the granting conditions for the new title. The only exception is a residence permit for temporary employment.
Die Regelungen des Abs. 1 S. 2 und 3 zum grundsätzlich eröffneten Zweckwechsel und zur in der Regel ausgeschlossenen Erteilung einer Niederlassungserlaubnis gelten entsprechend auch für die Fälle einer schulischen Berufsausbildung.
VAB A.16a, S. 140-144
If your school is responsible for the loss of your residence title, you have a legal entitlement to search for a new training place. You have 6 months for this. If you find new training within this time, your residence title remains valid.
haben Inhaber einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 16a Abs. 1 und 2 bei einer qualifizierten betrieblichen oder schulischen Berufsausbildung einen Anspruch darauf, sich vor der Rücknahme... für einen anderen Ausbildungsplatz erneut zu bewerben, sofern nicht sie selbst die Gründe für die Maßnahme zu verantworten haben.
VAB A.16a, S. 140-144
Vocational internships that are a prescribed part of your training are allowed without additional authorization. You do not need approval from the Federal Employment Agency for this.
Berufliche Praktika, die vorgeschriebener Bestandteil der Ausbildung sind, bedürfen nach § 15 Nr. 2 BeschV nicht der Zustimmung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
VAB A.16a, S. 140-144
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Apply for Residence Permit for School-Based Vocational Training
If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment. A residence permit as a sticker can be issued on site at the appointment. If issued as an electronic residence title (eAT), it takes 4 to 6 weeks until it can be collected.