Apply for a Residence Permit to Participate in a Training Program That Includes Employment
Would you like to participate in a qualification program to have your foreign professional qualification recognized while also working? If so, you may be eligible to receive a residence permit for this purpose under certain conditions.
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Basic information
If your professional qualification has not yet been fully recognized, you may, under certain conditions, obtain a residence permit to undergo a recognition process while simultaneously working in a qualified position in the profession for which recognition is being sought.
To do so, you must commit to submitting an application for recognition of the professional qualification you acquired abroad after entering the country and to actively pursuing the process. At the same time, your employer must enable you to complete the necessary qualification measures as part of your employment, for example, through time off from work or on-the-job training.
You will receive a residence permit if:
- You hold a foreign professional qualification recognized in the respective country that required at least two years of training, or a recognized foreign college or university degree,
- you have German language skills appropriate for the qualification program,
- the employer is suitable for providing training or further qualification, and
- as a general rule, the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval.
In addition to your primary employment, you may work up to 20 hours per week.
To work in regulated professions, the employment does not have to be a skilled position, provided certain requirements regarding working conditions are met. The license to practice the profession required here is then to be obtained as part of the training program.
The residence permit for participating in a training program that includes employment is temporary and is initially granted for a maximum of one year. It can be extended for up to 3 years.
Requirements
- Their livelihood is secure, and they have adequate health insurance coverage.
- Your identity and nationality have been verified.
- There are no grounds for deportation or an entry ban 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 knowledge of German (at least B1)
- You hold a qualification that is officially recognized by the country in which it was obtained and whose acquisition required a period of training of at least two years, 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
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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 young children.
A residence permit can only be issued for the duration of your 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 evidence of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for delay).
Legal Remedies:
- Appeal
- Lawsuit
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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
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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 self-service kiosk on site. -
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.
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