Apply for Residence Permit for Vocational Training and Professional Development
You want to do a company-based vocational training or further training in Germany? Here is how to apply for your residence permit.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit for company-based vocational training or further training?
You want to do a company-based vocational training or further training in Germany? Then you will generally be granted a residence permit if the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval.
The residence permit for company-based training does not require a qualified vocational training. It may therefore also be granted for an internship or volunteer placement. For a qualified vocational training, the residence purpose also includes attending a preparatory German language course for a maximum of 6 months.
Company-based further training is particularly relevant for foreign doctors — for a multi-year specialist medical training according to the further training regulations of the state medical chambers, or for other medical further training within a government scholarship programme.
The residence permit is generally valid for the entire duration of the training or further training, including any language course. You are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. Self-employment is not permitted.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You are doing a company-based vocational training (including internship or volunteer placement) or a company-based further training in Germany
Additional requirements
- For company-based further training you need a completed vocational qualification — at least a two-year company-based or school-based training, an advanced school-based vocational qualification, or a university degree
- The Federal Employment Agency must generally give its approval — the LEA submits the approval request through the internal consultation procedure
- Your livelihood must be secured: for training at least 959.00 euros per month (11,508.00 euros per year), for further training at least 992.00 euros per month (11,904.00 euros per year), each corresponding to the maximum BAföG funding rate (values for 2025)
- 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 company-based vocational training or further 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
Exemptions
- If you have a scholarship from German public funds, a German foundation, or an EU-funded programme, the fee paid in the online application will generally be refunded after processing
Good to know
If you meet all the requirements and the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval, the authority must grant you the residence permit. The authority has no discretion in this matter. Only in exceptional cases may it deviate from this.
Die Entscheidung liegt nicht im Ermessen der Behörde. Sofern die Erteilungsvoraussetzungen vorliegen und die BA zugestimmt hat, ist die Aufenthaltserlaubnis in der Regel zu erteilen.
VAB A.16a, S. 140-144
During your training, you may switch to a different residence title at any time. The requirement is that you meet the conditions for that title. The only exception is temporary employment under the Employment Regulation.
§ 16a Abs. 1 S. 2 den jederzeitigen Wechsel in einen anderen Aufenthaltstitel, zu dem die Erteilungsvoraussetzungen erfüllt werden. Hiervon ausgenommen ist lediglich die Erteilung der Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 19c Abs. 1 für eine in der BeschV geregelte vorübergehende Beschäftigung.
VAB A.16a, S. 140-144
If your educational institution is responsible for the loss of your residence title, you have a legal entitlement. You receive 6 months to apply at another institution. If you find a new place, your 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...ihres Aufenthaltstitels 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
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Apply for Residence Permit for Vocational Training and Professional Development
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.