Updated on May 2, 2026
Apply for residence permit for school-based vocational training
Apply online for your residence permit and confidently start your school-based vocational training in Berlin.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit for school-based vocational training?
You are doing school-based vocational training in Germany? Normally you have a right to a residence permit. The authority must grant it to you. The prerequisite is that your training leads to a state-recognized vocational qualification. This applies above all to training in education, healthcare, and social professions. These training programs take place at vocational schools or healthcare schools.
The residence permit is normally valid for the entire duration of your training. With it, you may additionally work up to 20 hours per week. This work must be independent of your training. Self-employed activity is prohibited with this permit.
You must meet certain requirements. You need at least 959 euros per month for your living expenses. That is 11,508 euros per year (as of 2026). If training fees apply, this amount increases. You also need German health insurance. Foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient. Your primary residence must be in Berlin.
You submit the application online. You can submit it at the earliest 4 months before your current residence title expires. Upload all documents as PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG. A single file may be a maximum of 7 MB. In total, all files together may not exceed 100 MB. Before submitting, you must pay the processing fee. This is possible by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or by PayPal. You will then receive a confirmation as a PDF. Be sure to save and print it. It shows that your current residence title remains valid. However, this does not apply if you have a Schengen visa (C-visa).
Note: Did you enter from one of the countries under § 41 Residence Ordinance and have not yet been in Germany for 91 days? Then your stay is considered permitted until a decision is made. You can then already begin training. However, you may not yet work during this time. Note: Are your spouse or your child living with you in Berlin and also need a residence permit? Enter them directly in your online application. The State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung, LEA) will then contact you regarding their residence permits.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You are doing school-based vocational training that leads to a state-recognized or comparably regulated vocational qualification — and the educational program is not predominantly aimed at nationals of a specific country.
- Your training takes place at a recognized school: for example a vocational school, technical academy, technical secondary school, technical college, healthcare school, vocational school (also part-time), or a state-recognized private supplementary school.
Additional requirements
- You have at least 959 euros per month available (11,508 euros per year, as of 2026). If fees apply for your training, you need correspondingly more.
- You have health insurance in Germany — either statutory or comparable private health insurance. Foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient.
- You have your primary residence in Berlin. A secondary residence is not enough.
- You have a current email address and check it regularly — including the spam folder. The State Office for Immigration uses it to contact you.
- For online application, you must agree to the electronic payment procedure. You can pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or PayPal.
How to apply
Check whether you meet the requirements: you are doing school-based vocational training at a recognized school, have at least 959 euros per month, German health insurance, and your primary residence in Berlin.
Collect all required documents: color passport copy, proof of health insurance, proof of residence in Berlin, and the school contract or admission decision with vocational qualification and training duration. If you need proof of your living expenses, prepare for example bank statements, a declaration of commitment, or a scholarship certificate.
Submit your application exclusively online — at the earliest 4 months before your current residence title expires. Upload all documents as PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG (max. 7 MB per file, max. 100 MB in total). If you want to apply for family members (spouse or child) at the same time, enter them directly in the online application.
Pay the processing fee before submitting — by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or by PayPal.
Save and print the confirmation as a PDF. It shows that your current residence title remains valid — unless you have a Schengen visa (C-visa).
Wait for the response from the State Office for Immigration (LEA) by email — check your inbox and your spam folder regularly.
Done! You receive your residence permit for the entire duration of your training and may additionally work up to 20 hours per week as an employee.
First-time issuance of the residence permit as a label
- Renewal of the residence permit as a label49,00 EUR
- First-time issuance of the residence permit as an electronic residence title100,00 EUR
- Renewal of the residence permit as an electronic residence title93,00 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to the age of 24 — first issuance or renewal27,60 EUR
- Turkish nationals from the age of 24 — first issuance or renewal46,00 EUR
- Creation of a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site (additional)6,00 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.
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