Choose a career realistically
The job must match the language, school qualifications and application market.
Training in Germany doesn't start with the visa - it starts with a training company. No company, no training contract. No training contract, no visa. If you do it the wrong way around, you'll lose months.
The training path does not begin with the application, but rather with career choice, company, language and a sustainable contract.
The job must match the language, school qualifications and application market.
Without an operation and a contract, the application remains weak.
First the company and language, then the contract, then the training visa.
As on the homepage: first clarify the direction, then decide on the details.
What I see
It always costs the same: twelve months. The next training cycle starts once a year.
The correct order
There are over 320 state-recognized training occupations in Germany. Your choice of profession determines which industry you are looking for a company in, what language and school qualification requirements apply and how long the training lasts. First clarify your profession - then start looking for a company.
Professions & IndustriesWhich school qualification is required? What level of German applies to this job? Is the foreign school qualification recognized? Some jobs require a high school diploma, others require a technical high school diploma. This is not clear through the application, but beforehand.
Check requirementsThis is the step on which everything else depends. Training positions are allocated directly by companies - not by authorities, not via central portals. Application phase for the start of training in September: March to May of the same year.
Application – step by step No company = no training contract = no visa. This step determines all others.Once the company has approved the training contract, the training contract will be concluded. This contract is registered with the responsible chamber (IHK, HWK) and is the basis for the visa application. You cannot apply for a training visa without a registered training contract.
For the training visa, the foreign school qualification must be recognized or evaluated in Germany. The procedure runs through the responsible recognition body – parallel to the company search or after the contract has been concluded. Recognition takes time: allow 4-12 weeks.
Recognition – DetailsThe training visa (§ 16a AufenthG) is applied for at the German embassy with the training contract and the recognition notice. Book embassy appointments as early as possible – Waiting times between 4 and 14 weeks depending on the country.
Training visa details If you book the appointment too late, you will miss the start of the training in September.After entry: Register your residence at the residents' registration office within 14 days. Apply for a residence permit (Section 16a Residence Act) at the immigration authority. Activate health insurance. The order after entry is just as important as before.
The dual system
The dual system means working in the company and attending vocational school at the same time. Both parts are mandatory. Both parts count towards graduation.
Training company
3-4 days per week in operation
Practical training on the job
Training salary is paid by the company
Training officer accompanies the training
At the end, the company issues the training certificate
The company pays – and trains
Vocational school
1-2 days per week in vocational school
Theoretical foundations of the profession
General education subjects (economics, German)
Vocational school is state-run – no school fees
Vocational school certificate is part of the training qualification
Mandatory, not optional
All topics in detail
Requirements →
Which school qualification is recognized, which level of German applies and what the recognition process for foreign certificates means. First clarify the requirements – then look for a company.
Some companies only consider applications with recognized qualifications.
Application →
Where training positions are advertised, how an application must be structured and what companies expect from international applicants. Application period: March–May for training to start in September.
Missed application phase = one year waiting time. No exception.
Training visa →
Which documents the embassy requires, what the training visa means according to Section 16a Residence Act and how long the waiting times are. The visa requires a signed training contract.
Book an appointment as early as possible – waiting times can jeopardize the start of your training.
Salary & Compensation →
How high the training allowance is, what differences there are between sectors and years of training and what trainees legally receive. Minimum salary 2025: €682 in the first year of training.
Training allowance and minimum wage are different concepts.
Professions & Industries →
Which training occupations are accessible to international applicants, which sectors are actively looking for and which professions offer the best chances of being taken over. Care, IT, crafts and logistics: particularly high demand.
Choose your career first – not the company. The order decides.
Numbers you need to know
September
Start of trainingAs a rule. Some companies also offer February/March.
682 €
Minimum salary 2025In the first year of training. Increases in subsequent years.
4–14 weeks
Message waiting timeDepending on the country of origin. Book an appointment early.
B1-B2
language levelDepending on the company and profession. B2 is the standard for technical professions.
You know you want to get an education.
Let us clarify which step applies to you now.
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Applicants who need to combine career choice, company, language and training visa.
Check your profession, application status and language level against the visa logic.
Check training pathAs of: May 2026. Lalmano checks content editorially and is based on official information, including from Foreign Office, BAMF and Make it in Germany. The content does not replace individual legal advice.