Our employees only speak German in the office and on the phone.

Apply for a Residence Permit to Participate in a Training Program

  • Migration und Integration
  • Schule, Ausbildung und Studium

Would you like to work in Germany, but your professional qualifications have not yet been fully recognized? If so, under certain conditions, you may be eligible for a residence permit to participate in a qualification program.

  • Basic information

    If you would like to work in Germany but your professional qualifications have not yet been fully recognized, you may, under certain conditions, receive a residence permit to participate in a qualification program.

    To qualify, a so-called recognition procedure must have been completed, in which it was determined that training measures are necessary to compensate for significant differences between the foreign qualification and German training in order to

    • recognition of your professional qualification (determination of equivalence to a domestic professional qualification) or
    • the granting of a license to practice a profession (access to the profession).

    Qualification measures include theoretical and practical adaptation and compensation measures, such as:

    • On-the-job training
    • theoretical courses
    • Combinations of both
    • Exam preparation courses
    • Language courses
    • Taking an exam

    The residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications is temporary. It is granted for up to 24 months and can be extended for a maximum period of 3 years.

    You must have language skills appropriate for the qualification program, typically at the A2 level. In some cases, lower language proficiency may be sufficient if, for example, further language acquisition is part of the qualification program.

    If your qualification program takes place primarily at a company, the Federal Employment Agency must generally approve it.

    With your residence permit to practice foreign professional qualifications, you may engage in employment unrelated to the training program for up to 20 hours per week.

    Requirements

    • You have a residence permit
    • You have a secure source of income and adequate health insurance coverage.
    • Your identity and nationality have been verified.
    • There are no grounds for deportation or entry bans against you.
    • You meet the passport requirement.
    • You entered the country with the required visa. Your stay is lawful.
    • Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
    • You have sufficient German language skills (at least B1)
    • You hold a qualification that is state-recognized by the country in which it was obtained and that required at least two years of training to acquire, or
    • You hold a college degree that is officially recognized by the country in which it was earned.
    • Your primary residence is in the city of Bremen

  • Procedure
    • The application and the required documents can be submitted to us by email or mail.
    • If necessary, the Immigration Office will request additional documents.
    • If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment to come in for an interview.

    More information

    Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

    Passport photos are now accepted only in digital form. The passport photo must be taken using a registration system on-site at the Office of Migration, at a photo studio, or by a photo service provider. You cannot submit a digital passport photo from your cell phone. For more information, please visit our website. Limited exceptions to the biometric requirements are permitted for infants and toddlers.

    A residence permit can only be issued for the duration of the national passport’s validity. Please apply for a renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.
    If you do not have a valid national passport, you must provide proof of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for any delays).

    Appeal:

    • Appeal
    • Lawsuit

  • Necessary Documents
    • National Passport / Proof of Identity
    • A current biometric passport photo
    • Proof of qualifications and employment:
      • Proof of qualification (certificate of completion of vocational training or degree, with a translation if necessary)
      • Certificate confirming the necessary steps for the recognition of your professional qualifications
      • Statement regarding employment status (completed by the employer)
      • Employment or internship contract, or a confirmation from the employer stating your personal information, salary, and the duration of the employment relationship. Any information not required may be redacted in the employment contract.
      • Registration for a language course, including the expected duration
      • Proof of proper completion of the educational program in the event of an extension
      • Proof of health insurance
      • Proof of financial support (e.g., blocked account, letter of financial commitment, scholarship, etc.)
      • Certificate or documentation of completion of the program and recognition or equivalence of the professional qualification
      • Medical license or license to practice, if required
      • If available:
        • School certificate
        • Registration for the adaptation course or proficiency exam
        • Continuing education plan

  • Forms

  • Fees / Costs

    100,00 EUR When a residence permit is issued for the first time as an electronic residence permit
    93,00 EUR When renewing a residence permit as an electronic residence permit
    27,60 EUR For Turkish nationals up to age 24 for initial issuance / for renewal
    46,00 EUR For Turkish citizens aged 24 or older: for initial issuance / for renewal
    56,00 EUR when the residence permit is issued for the first time as a label
    49,00 EUR when renewing a residence permit as a label
    6,00 EUR in addition, for taking a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal.

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    8 weeks Apply for a residence permit no later than 8 weeks before your current visa expires.

    How long does it take to process

    Once we receive your application, we will need some time to process and review it. Once the review is complete, we will get back to you.

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct.

Updated on 20.08.2026

Dienstleistungen · syfq nzm