§ 16a AufenthG
Visa for vocational training (Ausbildung)
Come to Germany for paid dual vocational training (Ausbildung) — you earn a salary from day one (typically €900–1,400/month), need German at roughly B1, and after completing you switch straight into a skilled-worker permit with a fast track to PR.
Last verified: 21 July 2026 · Legal basis: § 16a AufenthG
Duration
36 months
For the duration of the training (2–3.5 years) + option of 12 months job search after completion.
Family
Family reunification is generally not realistic during Ausbildung (income too low); it opens up after switching to a skilled-worker permit.
Permanent residence
After completing training + 3 years as a skilled worker (§ 18c). Time in Ausbildung counts half toward the general 5-year § 9 route.
Requirements
- Signed training contract with a German company or school
- German skills — usually B1 for the training visa (B2 for nursing programmes)
- Livelihood secured: training salary counts; gaps topped up via blocked account €1,091 (Source: Auswärtiges Amt (Auslandsvertretung) — Mindestbeträge 2026: 1.091 €/Monat, Last verified 21 July 2026)
How to apply
- Learn German to B1 first This is the real bottleneck — without B1 you won't pass Berufsschule. Certificates from Goethe, telc or ÖSD are accepted.
- Find a training company Use the Federal Employment Agency's Ausbildung exchange and 'Make it in Germany'; many employers in nursing and crafts recruit abroad actively.Official page ↗
- Apply via the Consular Services Portal Contract, language certificate, funds proof, school certificates.Official page ↗
- Complete training, then switch With the German qualification you are a Fachkraft — permit § 18a follows almost automatically with a job offer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Ausbildung pay?
The legal minimum training salary in 2026 is around €680+ in year 1 and rises yearly; typical shortage trades pay €1,000–1,400/month, nursing around €1,300+.
Is there an age limit?
No legal limit, but missions check plausibility — most successful applicants are under ~35.
Can I search for a training place from within Germany?
Yes — § 17 AufenthG offers a training-place-search visa (up to 9 months) for under-35s with B1 German and school-leaving qualifications, funds required.