Check contract
The start of training, remuneration and occupation must be understandable.
The training visa requires a signed training contract. Without a contract, no visa – and without a visa, no start to training. Embassy appointments in popular countries of origin must be booked 8-20 weeks in advance. Secure the appointment early, not just when all the documents are ready.
The training visa depends on the contract, language, livelihood and the plausibility of the professional plan.
The start of training, remuneration and occupation must be understandable.
Insufficient compensation or a lack of compensation can weaken the application.
Plan mandatory documents, financing and embassy appointments together.
As on the homepage: first clarify the direction, then decide on the details.
Requirements
The training visa according to Section 16a Residence Act can only be applied for if when the training contract is signed and the requirements for the training has been completed. Without a contract, no embassy appointment makes sense - even if the documents were ready long ago.
The training contract between the applicant and the company must be signed by both sides. A confirmation by email or an offer without a signature is not enough. The embassy requires the original or a certified copy.
The school leaving certificate must at least correspond to the German secondary school leaving certificate. Certificates from countries without a direct equivalent may need to be provided by anabin or by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Translation by a sworn translator is mandatory.
For most training occupations, B1 is the minimum requirement, B2 is much more recommended. The embassy accepts certificates from the Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD or comparable institutes. The certificate must be available when applying - not submitted later.
Unlike the study visa, no blocked account is required. The training allowance (typically €600-1,000 gross in the first year of training) is considered Proof of income. The embassy can also ask for a declaration of commitment of the company.
documents
The exact list of documents varies depending on the embassy and country of origin. The binding list is always available on the website of the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad. The following overview applies to most cases.
Complete document folder for the embassy appointment
| document | When requested |
|---|---|
| Declaration of commitment from the company | Some messages, for young applicants with no previous history |
| Certificate of good conduct | Care, child and youth work, security professions |
| Health certificate/proof of vaccination | Food jobs, care (needed after entry, not at the embassy) |
| Proof of professional recognition | If previous training in your home country is to be taken into account |
| Proof of housing in Germany | If the company provides accommodation - confirmation from the employer |
Embassy · Waiting times
10-20 weeks
Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt – very high demand, book appointments early
8-16 weeks
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - Embassy New Delhi / Mumbai busy
6-12 weeks
Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand – Appointments can be booked online, waiting times vary regionally
4-8 weeks
Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania – rapprochement with the EU makes some of the processes easier
4-10 weeks
Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan – availability varies greatly depending on the political situation
3-8 weeks
Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru – tend to have shorter waiting times, consulate depending on the city
Reasons for rejection
Missing or uncertified translations
School certificates, birth certificates or training contracts without a certified translation will result in immediate rejection. Machine translations are not accepted. Only sworn translators or officially recognized bodies are valid.
German language skills below B1 or no certificate
Anyone who does not present a recognized certificate or cannot communicate adequately during the interview risks rejection. Some embassies hold a short conversation in German. B2 is the safer standard.
Training contract incomplete or without company stamp
Contracts without signatures from both parties, without a company stamp or without a clearly identifiable training occupation will be rejected. Check the contract for completeness before the appointment – Missing details cannot be added at the counter.
Posted too late – training start already over
Anyone who submits the application too late and misses the start of their training will usually also lose their training place. Start of training in September: Submit your visa application by the end of March/April at the latest. Earlier if waiting times are long.
No proof of entry and the first few weeks
Statutory health insurance only begins on the first day of training. You need travel or transitional health insurance for entry and the transition period. Without this proof, the visa will often not be issued.
After entry
Arrived with a visa – what now? Registration, residence permit and health insurance must be submitted within a few weeks be regulated. These steps have fixed deadlines.
What needs to be done in the first two weeks
Anyone who successfully completes the training has the right according to Section 18a Residence Act to apply for a residence permit to pursue qualified employment. This means: Successful completion can be a direct route to permanent employment in Germany – without having to leave the country again.
What comes next
You know what the visa needs.
Let us clarify whether your documents are ready for this.
Free · No obligation · 30-45 minutes
Applicants with a training contract or a specific company who are preparing the visa application.
Compare your contract, living expenses and proof of language skills before applying.
Check training visaAs 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.