Training Internship Visa in Germany | Process & Requirements

Visa requirements and visa types

The first question you must answer for an internship or vocational training in Germany is whether you require a visa.

Germany and most other European Union countries, except Ireland and Cyprus, belong to the Schengen Area. Schengen countries without EU membership are Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you do not need a visa or a residence permit for Germany.

However, most third-country nationals are subject to visa requirements for entry into Germany. There are 2 relevant visa types:

• C visas are short-term Schengen visas. They authorize a stay of a maximum of 90 days. You require this type of visa if you only want to complete a short internship in Germany. Citizens of around 60 countries can travel to Germany for up to 90 days without a visa.
• For a longer internship or vocational training, you will usually need a D (German national) visa. It is typically issued for 3 months. Before your visa expires, you must apply for a German residence permit. For internships, the visa may be issued for 6 months.

Whether they have a short-term or national visa, visa holders can travel throughout the entire Schengen area without further visa formalities. If you have a German national visa, your stay in another Schengen country may not exceed 90 days.

Internship visa

With a study-related internship in Germany, you will gain practical work experience and learn what it is like to work in Germany. If you are generally interested in living and working in Germany, you can establish contacts with potential employers during your internship.

Some requirements, such as proof of financial means to cover your living expenses and Schengen travel health insurance, apply to every visa application regardless of the reason for the planned stay. To obtain an internship visa for Germany, you must also meet the following requirements:

• Internship contract with a company or institution in Germany
• You are currently studying or graduated no more than 2 years ago.
• The internship must be related to your studies.

You can also apply for an internship visa if the internship is intended to prepare you for a course of study, vocational training, or employment in Germany. Alternatively, a student applicant visa can be applied for internships that prepare for a course of study.

Visa Validity

Internship visas are issued for a maximum of 6 months. An extension is possible in well-founded exceptional cases. These include:

• Compulsory internships
• Internships as part of other qualification programs.
• Unforeseen events such as long-term illness

Language skills

There are no legal language skill regulations for internship visas. The decisive factors are the language requirements of the internship company.

Many internship companies require German language skills at A2 or B1 level. In some cases, however, internships are also offered in English. To get an internship visa, it is typically sufficient to have confirmation from the company that you can complete the internship with little or no knowledge of German.

Exceptions apply to preparatory internships — German embassies typically require an official language certificate (at least A2 or B1, for a student applicant visa B2).

Vocational training visa

You can get a vocational training visa for Germany for a school-based or dual vocational training course:

• In a school-based program, the entire training occurs in a vocational school. This includes, for example, training in educational and social professions. Internships typically supplement it.
• A dual training program consists of a theoretical part, which you complete at a vocational school, and a practical part in the company. Most vocational training in Germany is organized on a dual basis.

Visa validity

For vocational training in Germany, you need a national visa (D visa) and must apply for a residence permit at the immigration office after entering the country. It is issued for the duration of the training. Vocational training in Germany takes between 2 and 3.5 years, depending on the occupation and training program.

With a vocational training visa and the corresponding residence permit, you can work up to 20 hours per week in a part-time job independent of your training.

Visa requirements

In addition to the general requirements for obtaining a visa (proof of financial means, health insurance), the following conditions apply to the granting of a vocational training visa:

• Full-time training in a state-recognized vocational training program
• Proof of a school-based or company-based (dual) training position, vocational training contract
• German language skills at B1 level (based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Recruitment programs for trainees from abroad

The German government runs recruitment programs in various countries to attract applicants for vocational training in Germany – particularly in shortage occupations such as care, skilled trades, and IT. Recruitment focuses on countries with high youth unemployment and a pool of well-qualified applicants. In addition to arranging a training place, language training, and integration support are often offered.

Prospects after graduation

After completing your vocational training course in Germany, you have an excellent chance of being taken on directly in an employment relationship. Otherwise, you can get a residence permit for 18 months to seek employment without having to leave the country first. Until you find a job matching your qualifications, you can work full-time without restriction to earn a living.

Proof of financing and health insurance

You will need proof of financial means and health insurance to apply for a visa.

Proof of financial means

To obtain a visa, you must prove that you have financial means as an intern or trainee of at least €959 per month/€11,508 per year. There are various options for this:

• Income in Germany by training or internship allowance, which must be stated in your contract.
• Income in your home country or a declaration by another person, not a resident of Germany, such as your parents, to cover your costs. In both cases, you must provide suitable evidence of your circumstances (payslips, bank statements, or other proof of ownership).
• Declaration of commitment from a German sponsor to cover all costs related to your stay in Germany (living expenses, accommodation, health insurance). Private individuals, companies, and other institutions with permanent residences or company headquarters in Germany can issue it.
• Blocked bank account with the required minimum amount per month of stay or (for vocational training) for the entire first year.

Your income in Germany

You can partially earn your income through an internship or vocational training in Germany.

• For internships, it depends on your employer, as there are both paid and unpaid internships. Submit your internship contract for the visa application, including a salary statement if applicable. If you receive an internship salary, you only have to prove financial means, which are not covered by this allowance. For paid internships, at least the minimum wage is paid. However, you can often expect a higher internship allowance, especially in larger companies.

• School-based vocational training is not remunerated. You, therefore, need proof of financial means of at least €11,508 for the first year.
• You will always receive a salary if you complete a dual vocational training program in Germany. Your earnings depend on your occupation and employer. It also increases with each year of training. The minimum remuneration for apprentices in the first year is €682, but it can also be significantly higher. You only have to prove the difference between your apprentice salary and the legally required €959 per month for the visa.

Health insurance

You require Schengen travel health insurance covering at least €30,000 for the visa application.

If you come to Germany as an intern, the insurance must be valid for your entire stay.

For a vocational training visa, it must cover the period until the start of your training contract. From then on, you will need German health insurance.

Approval by the Federal Employment Agency

The Federal Employment Agency must approve third-country nationals’ internships and vocational training courses. There are exceptions for compulsory internships and internships within the framework of EU programs.

The German Embassy and the relevant German authorities typically provide this approval:

• The Embassy forwards your visa application to the relevant immigration office in Germany.
• The authority requests the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
• The agency sends the document directly to the immigration office, which forwards it to the German Embassy in your home country.

Alternatively, employers can apply for the approval of the Federal Employment Agency in advance. In this case, you will receive the document from your training company and enclose it with your visa documents.

Visa Application process

You submit your visa application personally to the German Embassy, a designated visa center, or a German consulate in your home country. You can usually schedule an appointment for your visa interview online.

Application process

The application process for the visa involves the following steps:

• Scheduling the appointment
• Compiling the visa documents
• At the visa appointment: handing over the visa documents, providing fingerprints, personal interview about your reasons for an internship or vocational training in Germany

Required documents

The following documents are required for an internship or vocational training visa (each in original and with 2 photocopies):

• A valid passport that meets the German passport requirements
• Copies of the data pages of your passport
• Visa application form
• 2 current biometric passport photos
• Internship agreement or vocational training contract
• Proof of qualifications (school-leaving certificate, academic intermediate and final certificates, proof of further qualifications)
• For interns, if applicable: confirmation of enrollment or employment from the university or an employer in your home country
• For vocational training visa: Proof of German language skills
• Proof of financial means
• Schengen travel health insurance
• If applicable: approval of the Federal Employment Agency
• Proof of marital status: if applicable, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children
• If available: older passports with visa stickers or stamps
• Travel plan (flight reservations, train tickets, etc.)
• Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel booking, rental contract, invitation letter from friends or relatives where you can stay in Germany).
• Proof of payment of the visa fee

Processing time & visa application fee

The processing time for an internship visa is between 6 and 12 weeks, but the visa process can sometimes take up to 4 months. You should expect a processing time of 8 to 16 weeks for a vocational training visa.

You can typically get a short-term Schengen visa within 14 days.

The visa application fee for a German national visa is €75. If you only want to complete a short internship in Germany, you will pay a fee of €90 for a Schengen short-term visa.

Conclusion

Germany offers excellent opportunities for international applicants seeking professional experience through internships or vocational training. Whether planning a short internship or looking for a vocational training program in Germany, the Training & Internship Visa provides a clear legal pathway. The application process requires careful preparation, including proof of financial means, health insurance, and language skills in some cases.

Upon completing vocational training, long-term career prospects in Germany are promising, with opportunities to transition into full-time employment.

Ultimately, Germany’s Training & Internship Visa is an excellent option for those who want to gain professional experience in a well-structured and internationally recognized environment. By planning and meeting all visa requirements, applicants can set a strong foundation for future careers in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

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