Ausbildung Visa Germany: Hiring Apprentices (§16a)

Yes. Non-EU nationals can come to Germany specifically to do a vocational training, on one of two residence titles: §16a for candidates who train from scratch, or §16d for candidates who already hold a foreign qualification Germany recognizes only in part and who complete the additional training needed for full recognition. The employer signs and registers the training contract with the competent chamber (IHK or HWK); the candidate then applies for the visa at their local German consulate.

The core requirements are: a signed training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag), entered in the register of the IHK or HWK, and the Federal Employment Agency's approval for §16a — or a Defizitbescheid plus enrolment in a recognition measure for §16d; German at the required level (usually B1 for §16a, at least A2 for §16d — the recognition body or the measure can require more, for example in healthcare); proof the candidate can cover living costs (in 2026 a training allowance of at least €1,048 gross a month for in-company training, or a blocked account or declaration of commitment covers the gap); a valid passport; and the specific visa documents required by the local German consulate.

§16a is for candidates who train from scratch in Germany — it rests on a signed Ausbildungsvertrag and the Federal Employment Agency's approval, and it typically requires German at B1. §16d is for candidates who already hold a foreign qualification that Germany recognizes only in part and who complete the additional training needed for full recognition — the foundation is a Defizitbescheid plus enrolment in that recognition measure, and it usually requires German at A2 (the recognition body or the measure can require more, for example in healthcare).

For the §16a route, candidates need German at B1, unless the training institution has already checked their German or they will acquire it in a preparatory German course (§16a(3) AufenthG). For the §16d recognition route, A2 is the legal baseline; the recognition body or the measure can require more, for example in healthcare. Reaching the required level is often the longest part of the whole process — start language support early.

A valid passport, the registered training contract (or, for §16d, a Defizitbescheid plus proof of enrolment in a recognition measure), a German language certificate at the required level, proof of secured living costs (allowance or blocked account), and health insurance — plus the exact document list published by the German consulate in the candidate's country, which varies by location.

In relokate's experience, plan for roughly 3 to 9 months, depending mostly on the consulate. A straightforward case at a quieter mission can run around 3 months; a busy consulate can stretch it to 6 or even 9. The visa steps are confirming eligibility and the route, collecting documents and submitting the application, the consulate appointment and waiting for the visa, and the candidate's arrival in Germany. There is no way to speed up a consulate's queue, so the long lead time is the main thing to plan for.

Yes. For in-company (dual) training, the training allowance (Ausbildungsvergütung) must reach at least €1,048 gross (about €822 net) a month in 2026; for school-based training the requirement is about €959 net a month, and it drops by €380 if housing is free. The figures are updated every year. If the allowance falls short, the candidate covers the gap with a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) before the visa is granted.

The Ausbildung visa lets a non-EU national come to Germany to complete a recognized vocational training (a duale Ausbildung), splitting time between an employer and a vocational school. The main route, §16a AufenthG, is for candidates who train from scratch and rests on a signed training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag), entered with the competent chamber (IHK or HWK), and the Federal Employment Agency's approval.

relokate takes over the visa process for your international apprentice: relokate confirms §16a or §16d for the candidate, secures the Federal Employment Agency approval where it's required, prepares the documents and the visa application, coordinates the consulate appointment and follows up with authorities directly. In relokate's cases an Ausbildung visa takes 3–9 months, depending on the consulate, so relokate plans the start date with you. After arrival, relokate handles the residence permit, and Anmeldung, health insurance and a bank account can be added to the case. HR follows every case in the relokate dashboard. Next step: book a 30-minute demo.