Visa and residence permit for vocational training in Saxony

The residence permit for vocational training is a temporary residence permit. This is usually issued for the entire duration of the training - and, if necessary, until an employment permit is issued.

In addition to employment as part of your vocational training, you can work up to 20 hours a week in a second job.

• a training contract or registration with the vocational school or vocational college,
• German language skills, generally at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR),
• At least 959 euros per month in 2025 to cover living expenses for school-based vocational training (alternatively a declaration of commitment or proof of a blocked account),
• Training allowance for company-based vocational training of at least EUR 1,033 gross per month in 2025 (alternatively a declaration of commitment or proof of a blocked account),
• Minors must have the consent of their legal guardians.

There are no general language requirements in vocational training law. However, sufficient language skills (level B1) must be demonstrated for qualified vocational training courses. Higher language skills may also be required for some vocational training courses.

The language requirements are usually checked by the training company and the vocational school. The acquisition of the necessary language skills is also integrated into the training for some vocational training courses.

Proof of language skills is only required if there is no confirmation from the training company or vocational school that the existing language skills are sufficient for the intended vocational training. Proof is provided either by submitting suitable language certificates or by confirming registration for the language course.

If you intend to take up qualified company-based vocational training, it is advisable to attend a job-related German language course to prepare for the vocational training.

If you intend to attend a language course in Germany beforehand, you may initially be eligible for a residence permit for a language course and then change to a residence permit for vocational training if you successfully complete the course.

There is no specific school-leaving qualification required to start an apprenticeship. The training companies can decide for themselves which school-leaving qualification they require of their trainees. As a rule, at least a lower secondary school leaving certificate is expected.

An intermediate school leaving certificate (Realschulabschluss) is normally required for school-based vocational training. However, there are also school-based training courses for which a lower secondary school leaving certificate is sufficient.

Employers who would like to train a skilled worker from abroad can arrange the accelerated skilled worker procedure with the relevant immigration authority. This speeds up the entry process. The employer also receives comprehensive advice and support during the procedure. The employer then acts as your authorized representative and contact person for the immigration authority. The accelerated skilled worker procedure costs 411 euros.

You can find more information on the accelerated skilled worker procedure here

If you have successfully completed your qualified vocational training, you can look for a job in Germany for qualified employment for up to 18 additional months.

If you have successfully completed training as an assistant or helper in a healthcare or nursing profession, you can look for a job for up to 12 months. This does not apply to assistant training in other professions.

While you are looking for a job in Germany, you are allowed to work in any occupation in order to secure your livelihood.

As soon as you have found a job, you can apply for a residence permit for qualified employment or a residence permit for employment as an assistant in a health or care sector.