A training permit is a special type of permit that you can obtain if

• your asylum application has been rejected, you started vocational training during the asylum procedure and would like to continue it, or
• you are in possession of a toleration permit (i.e., required to leave the country) and would like to begin vocational training.

In order to obtain a training permit, the vocational training must meet certain requirements (see requirements).

The training permit is issued for a specific training company. A (seamless) change of training company is possible. In such cases, an application for a "transfer" of the training permit to the new company must be submitted before the change of company.

With the training permit, you are allowed to stay and work in Germany for the entire duration of your training. During this time, you cannot be deported.

• You started your training during your asylum procedure and would like to continue it after your asylum application has been rejected, or you have had temporary leave to remain for at least three months and would like to start training.
• You already have a training place or one in prospect that meets the following criteria:
  • It is a qualified, at least two-year, in-company or school-based vocational training program in a state-recognized or comparably regulated training occupation, or  
  • It is a state-recognized or comparably regulated assistant or helper training program, followed by qualified vocational training.

Please note :

For assistant or helper training, you also need a training place confirmation for the subsequent qualified vocational training. In addition, it must be a so-called "shortage occupation" (for example, a profession in geriatric and nursing care).

Training toleration cannot be granted for vocational preparation measures or school measures (e.g., language courses) that are only intended to introduce you to vocational training. A list of recognized training occupations can be found under "Further information."

• Your identity has been verified.

Please note: Persons who came to Germany before December 31, 2016, must clarify their identity when applying for a training permit.

Persons who came to Germany between January 1, 2017, and January 1, 2020, and who wish to apply for a training permit now or later had to have clarified their identity by June 30, 2020. The deadline is met if all reasonable measures to clarify identity have been taken by then. This is also the case if identity is only clarified later.

Persons who came to Germany on or after January 1, 2020, must clarify their identity within the first six months in Germany.

Reasonableness is assessed according to the circumstances of the individual case, whereby you should cooperate in all actions required of you by the authorities.

• If you are under the age of 18, your legal guardians must consent to your stay in Germany.
• You have no ties to extremist or terrorist organizations and do not support them. You have not been convicted of a criminal offense to date. There is no interest in expelling you.

Your deportation has not yet been prepared by the immigration authorities (preparation can be assumed if, for example, a medical examination to determine your fitness to travel has already been arranged, state funding for your voluntary departure has been approved before the training permit was granted, a passport document has been applied for on your behalf, a deportation date has been set, or a Dublin procedure is ongoing).

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, you may be issued with a training permit during the appointment. If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice. In this case, you will not be allowed to start the training.

• You cannot apply for a training permit during the asylum procedure. During this time, it is sufficient to have a residence permit, which also allows you to start school or vocational training.
• The training permit is not a prerequisite for starting training. You can already start training if you have been granted permission to work, i.e., if you have been issued a work permit. If you have a "normal" temporary residence permit in accordance with Section 60a of the Residence Act (AufenthG) with permission to work, this does not grant you long-term protection against termination of residence during the period of training, nor does it grant you the special rights associated with a temporary residence permit for training purposes.
• If you successfully complete your vocational training, you may be eligible for a residence permit for two additional years ("3+2" rule). If you are not hired by the training company, you will initially be granted a temporary residence permit for six months to look for work.
• If you interrupt or terminate your training relationship prematurely, your training permit will expire. You can receive a one-time six-month permit to search for a new training position. Training companies and educational institutions are required to notify the immigration authorities within two weeks of the termination of training.
• You are not allowed to travel abroad with a training permit.
• The training permit expires if you are convicted of a crime, if you are subject to an expulsion order or a deportation order to avert a particular danger, especially a terrorist threat, against you.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German. If your German language skills are insufficient, it is recommended that you bring someone with you who can act as a translator.
• You must provide the immigration authorities with accurate and complete information to the best of your knowledge and belief so that your application can be processed without significant delays.
• Providing incorrect or incomplete information may slow down the procedure and be to your disadvantage. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that you have provided and not completed or corrected in time to the immigration authorities may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

You may appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities within one month of notification.

Rejected asylum seekers should submit their application for a training permit as soon as possible after receiving their rejection notice.

Holders of temporary residence permits should submit their application to the immigration office in good time before the start of their training, but no earlier than seven months before the start of their vocational training.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The validity of the training permit is based on the duration of the training specified in the training contract and is usually granted for the entire period of training.

If the training has not yet begun, the training permit will be issued at the earliest six months before the start of vocational training.

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office. Since the training permit is issued by the immigration office, it is generally possible to receive it during the appointment.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for issuing the residence permit. In rural districts, this is the district administration, and in independent cities, it is the city administration.

• Recognized identity document (e.g., passport, passport substitute, official ID card with photo, official documents from the country of origin such as military ID, driver's license, consular card, laissez-passer, service ID card, or civil status certificate with photo)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Rejected asylum application or temporary suspension of deportation
• For vocational training in a company:
  • Vocational training contract
  • Proof of entry of the training contract in the register of vocational training relationships (e.g., confirmation of registration or application for registration by the relevant chamber of crafts)
  • For assistant or helper training, a confirmation of a training place from the training company or educational institution for the subsequent qualified vocational training
• For school-based training: Contract or letter of acceptance from the educational institution with the name of the training occupation
• For minors: consent of the legal guardian to the planned stay (declaration of consent)

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may require less or more evidence.

Cost (fixed):

• 58.00 for the training permit as a sticker label
• 62.00 for the training permit as a printed form

Note:

The immigration office may charge a fee for issuing a training permit. The timing and form of the fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be considered (for example, if the applicant cannot cover their living expenses without receiving public benefits).

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes