§ 16a Residence Act
The training visa requires a signed training contract – not the other way around. Anyone who applies for the visa before the company has accepted has no central document. Operation is the first step. The visa is the sixth.
Operation first: Choose a profession → find a company → training contract → recognition → visa → entry
Wrong order: Apply for a visa → no training contract available → rejection → application phase expired → 12 month waiting period
Wrong order: Book a German course → no company found → application phase expired → course was premature → Time and money lost
What runs parallel: Company search + recognition + German course can run at the same time - as soon as the job is determined
Requirements
Four things must be present before an embassy appointment makes sense. The most important thing: the training contract signed and registered with the chamber.
What the message requires – and what needs to be clarified beforehand
Training visa – further details Check requirementsThe training contract is the central document. It must be signed by the applicant and the company and submitted to the responsible chamber (IHK or HWK, depending on the profession). Without this document, no training visa – no exceptions.
The foreign school leaving certificate must either be obtained through the Central Office for Foreign Affairs Education (ZAB) assessed or accepted directly by the company. In shortage occupations, some companies accept the qualification without a formal ZAB assessment. Ask the company directly what they require - before applying for recognition.
There is no legally required language level for the training visa. The company determines what it expects - in practice B1 to B2, depending on the profession and industry. Some embassies ask about language skills in the interview, but do not require a formal certificate for the visa itself.
The training allowance must be sufficient to secure a living. The minimum salary for 2025 is €682 in the first year of training. As a rule, a reference to the remuneration in the training contract is sufficient. Additional funding may be required if compensation is low.
| document | Note |
|---|---|
| Valid passport + 2 copies | Min. Valid for 6 months after the end of the training |
| 2 biometric photographs | 35×45 mm, white background, current |
| Completed visa form | Online, printed, signed |
| Training contract + copy | Signed, registered with IHK or HWK; Certified translation into German if in English |
| school certificate + certified translation | Sworn translation into German |
| Recognition document / ZAB assessment | If the company requires one; otherwise it may be unnecessary |
| CV in German | In tabular form, with school qualifications and professional experience |
| Proof of health insurance | Statutory health insurance – trainees are compulsorily insured; Contribution is paid proportionately by the company |
| Visa fee | €75 in cash or card (depending on the embassy) |
Realistic schedule
Training places are awarded once a year - if you miss the application phase, you wait 12 months.
Choose a career, research companies
Clarify training occupation. Check requirements. Determine the German level of the profession and if necessary start the course.
Send applications
Training places for September will be allocated from January. Applying early increases your chances significantly. Applications to several companies at the same time.
Receive confirmation, sign contract
Company agrees → sign training contract → Have it registered with the IHK or HWK. No visa without chamber registration.
→ At the same time: initiate ZAB recognition (4–12 weeks processing time)Book an embassy appointment
As soon as the contract is entered: book an appointment. In countries with a 10+ week waiting period, act immediately. Complete documents in parallel.
Embassy interview and visa issuance
Bring all documents with you. Passport remains with the embassy. Processing time: 2-6 weeks. Avoid travel or exam appointments during this period.
Entry – training begins
Register your residence at the residents’ registration office within 14 days. Immigration office for residence permit. Register with your health insurance company as a trainee - the contribution will be paid proportionately by the company.
Recognition
The recognition of the school leaving certificate should be initiated parallel to the search for a company - not just after the contract has been signed. 4-12 weeks processing time may delay the visa application.
The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) issues a certificate evaluation. It indicates which German qualification the foreign qualification corresponds to. Processing time: 4-12 weeks. Fee: approx. €200. Recommended if the company requires a formal assessment.
For numerous countries and degrees it is entered in the anabin database, which German qualification they correspond to. Some companies accept anabin proof without a ZAB assessment. Ask the company directly – before investing time and money.
Companies accept jobs in shortage professions (care, crafts, logistics). the original certificate with a certified translation without formal recognition. This is especially true if the company is actively looking for international trainees.
The application process
First clarify your profession – then look for companies. Application period March to May for the start of training in September. Apply on portals such as Studium.de, the Federal Employment Agency or directly to companies.
After the acceptance: Sign the contract and pay attention to the chamber registration (IHK or HWK) when operating. The registered contract is the basis of the visa. Cancel the proof of registration.
There is no training visa without chamber registration – even if the contract is signed.ZAB evaluation, anabine or direct acceptance by the company. 4-12 week processing time. Initiate parallel to step 02, do not wait afterwards.
As soon as the contract is entered: book an appointment. In countries with long waiting times, do not wait for complete documents. Appointment first – complete documents at the same time.
Complete the entire checklist. Certified translations from a sworn translator. No late submission possible at the appointment. Training contract and chamber certificate are mandatory.
Duration: 20-40 minutes. Fingerprints, photo, document verification. Passport remains with the embassy. Processing time: 2-6 weeks.
If you book the appointment too late, you will miss the start of the training in September.Residential registration within 14 days. Foreigners' authority for residence permits (Section 16a Residence Act). Register with health insurance as a trainee. The training allowance covers proportional KV contributions - the company pays its share.
You have the training contract and want to apply for the visa.
Let us clarify whether your documents are complete.
Free · No obligation · 30-45 minutes
As 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.