Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung) — Germany

This visa covers structured vocational training in Germany, including both school-based and in-company dual training. It generally permits a stay of up to three years, assuming you meet the B1 German language requirement.

Who this visa is for

Apply for this visa if you have a recognized vocational training place (Ausbildungsplatz) in Germany. The training must be either school-based or part of the dual system that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction.

German language skills at B1 level are mandatory. This ensures you can follow lessons, handle workplace instructions, and communicate daily during your training.

This visa is distinct from residence titles for general study, cultural exchange, or job searching. Its sole purpose is to let you complete formal vocational training for skilled employment in Germany.

Your visa application is submitted abroad through the Federal Foreign Office. After arrival, the Ausländerbehörde in your area handles your residence permit.

Training formats covered

The visa applies to:

• Dual (in-company) vocational training
• School-based vocational training

Dual training combines practical work in a company with theoretical instruction at a vocational school. You'll sign a training contract with an employer and take coursework alongside hands-on training.

School-based programs are primarily at a vocational school. Some practical elements may be included, but the structure is centered on classroom instruction.

Both formats prepare you for skilled work in Germany. The program must be a recognized vocational qualification with an organized training plan.

This visa doesn't convert automatically from other short-term stays. If you previously held a Student Visa, Internship Visa, Working Holiday Visa, or Au Pair Visa, your status must match the vocational training purpose.

Typical duration & language

The Vocational Training Visa usually allows a stay in Germany for up to three years. The exact period depends on your training program.

You must provide proof of B1-level German language proficiency before the visa is issued. You'll need to understand lessons, workplace safety rules, and written materials for your occupation.

Visa validity matches the official training period. If your program is shorter than three years, your residence permit will reflect that.

For application procedures, use the Form VIDEX system when applying abroad. Inside Germany, the local Ausländerbehörde manages your residence status.

Eligibility requires a recognized vocational training place in Germany, plus age, approval, and lawful stay conditions. German authorities check your training contract, age, and any legal bars to entry or residence.

Required training place & approvals

A confirmed vocational training place in Germany is necessary before applying. This can be:

• School-based vocational training
• In-company (dual) vocational training

For in-company training, the Federal Employment Agency must approve your placement. Without this, a visa won't be issued.

Your training place must be specific and documented. If you're still searching, consider the Training Place Seeker Visa instead.

Visa applications are submitted abroad through the Federal Foreign Office using Form VIDEX. If you later change status within Germany, the Ausländerbehörde handles your residence permit.

This visa category isn't interchangeable with the Student Visa, Internship Visa, Working Holiday Visa, or Au Pair Visa.

Age and legal grounds

Applicants must be under 35 years old at the time of application. Those 35 or older don't qualify under this category.

Authorities also check for any grounds for expulsion. There must be no public interest in your removal from Germany, including legal circumstances that would justify denying entry or residence.

The 180‑day reference period is used to assess your legal standing. Issues during that period can affect eligibility.

Applications may be refused if:

• You're outside the permitted age range
• Expulsion grounds are identified
• Your legal history conflicts with residence requirements

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) oversees migration policy, but visa issuance abroad is the responsibility of the Federal Foreign Office.

Minimum salary / financial conditions

For in-company vocational training, your position must meet the approval requirements set by the Federal Employment Agency. Approval confirms the training arrangement meets legal and financial standards.

School-based training doesn't require Federal Employment Agency approval, but the arrangement must be legitimate and properly documented.

Unlike the Working Holiday Visa or Au Pair Visa, this visa is tied directly to a formal vocational qualification path. Authorities check that your training structure complies with German regulations before granting residence permission.

For current financial thresholds or administrative details, refer to the Federal Foreign Office or your local Ausländerbehörde.

A set application fee is required. Processing typically takes several months, depending on your visa category and the German mission handling your case.

Visa application fee

You pay a €75 national visa fee when applying for a Germany vocational training visa through the Form VIDEX system (National Visa application).

This fee applies to long-stay visas, including vocational training. It's separate from residence permit fees you may later pay to your local Ausländerbehörde after you arrive in Germany.

Most applicants pay the fee when submitting their application at the German embassy or consulate, operating under the Federal Foreign Office. The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused.

Other long-stay visas—like the Student Visa, Internship Visa, Training Place Seeker Visa, Working Holiday Visa, and Au Pair Visa—also use national visa procedures. Consulates control local payment methods, so the exact way you pay can differ.

Standard processing time

Expect a standard processing time of 1 to 3 months for a vocational training visa.

Processing starts after you submit a complete application and attend your appointment at the German embassy or consulate. Missing or incomplete documents will delay your review and can stretch out the timeline.

The Federal Foreign Office manages visa decisions abroad. If German authorities need to review your case, coordination with local offices can add to the waiting period.

Avoid booking non-refundable travel until you have visa approval.

Processing time variations

Processing time depends on:

• The visa category you choose
• The German mission handling your application
• Case volume at the time you apply

Even though all these are national visas, the vocational training category may move at a different pace than a Student Visa or Training Place Seeker Visa.

Different embassies or consulates may process at varying speeds. Sometimes, internal consultations with German authorities influence how long you wait.

Work Rights While Studying (Ausbildung)

During company-based vocational training, you work under a formal training contract and receive a fixed monthly salary. Your right to stay depends on meeting minimum pay rules and training with an approved employer.

In-company training salary rules

If you complete a company-based Ausbildung, you must receive a minimum training salary.

Your contract needs to meet at least one of these thresholds. If your salary falls below this level, authorities may refuse or question your residence permit.

The salary comes directly from your training company. This forms the financial basis of your stay, in contrast to the Student Visa, which usually requires separate proof of funds.

This rule applies to company-based training. Other residence types—such as the Internship Visa, Training Place Seeker Visa, Working Holiday Visa, or Au Pair Visa—have different financial structures.

When you apply abroad through the Federal Foreign Office, you declare your training details in the VIDEX system. After arrival, your local Ausländerbehörde reviews your contract as part of the residence permit process.

Approval requirements for training employers

Your employer must offer a legitimate company-based vocational training position. The contract must clearly state:

• The occupation you will train in
• The duration of training
• Your monthly salary (meeting the required minimum)

Authorities check whether the training arrangement matches a recognized vocational structure. If the position doesn't qualify as formal vocational training, you can't receive or extend your residence permit for Ausbildung.

You can't replace the required salary with informal payments or unpaid arrangements. Volunteer roles or unpaid internships don't meet the criteria.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) sets overall migration policy. Your local Ausländerbehörde decides your residence status inside Germany.

You need to submit accurate employer details both during your visa process and when applying for your residence permit.

After completing vocational training in Germany, you need a new residence status if you want to stay. Your next steps depend on whether you have a job offer, plan further study, or qualify for another visa category.

Post-training pathways

Once you finish your recognized vocational training, your training-based residence permit doesn't automatically continue. You must apply for a new residence permit at your local Ausländerbehörde before your current permit expires.

Your main options include:

• Residence permit for employment if you have a job offer in your trained occupation
• Student Visa if you're enrolling in a university program
• Internship Visa if you secure a qualifying internship
• Working Holiday Visa (if you meet nationality and age requirements)
• Au Pair Visa if you switch to an approved host family placement

If you don't yet have a training contract but want to start a new vocational program, you may qualify for a Training Place Seeker Visa.

The local Ausländerbehörde handles your residence permit inside Germany. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) deals with broader migration matters but doesn't issue your residence card.

Next-permit options

Your next permit depends on your concrete plan. Apply before your current permit expires to avoid gaps in lawful stay.

If you leave Germany and apply from abroad, you submit your visa application through the Federal Foreign Office. The Form VIDEX online form is part of that process.

For current fees in EUR (€) and document checklists, refer to the Federal Foreign Office or your local Ausländerbehörde. Requirements differ by status and your personal background.