Internship / Training Visa
Residence permit for professional internships
The full German Internship / Training Visa process
Secure Internship/Training Position
Secure an internship or training place with a German host company or institution. For most third-country internships the German Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve the placement (the host normally initiates this via 'Zustimmungsanfrage'); mandatory university internships and EU-programme placements (e.g. Erasmus+) are exempt.
⏱ ~60 days🔗 Official linkInternship Agreement
Sign the internship/training agreement covering tasks, supervision, duration and remuneration (minimum wage applies to most voluntary internships over 3 months). The agreement — plus the BA approval where required — is a core document for the visa file.
⏱ ~14 days🔗 Official linkProof of Qualifications
Compile proof of qualifications for your visa application: academic degrees, vocational training certificates, professional certifications, language certificates. Ensure documents are certified/apostilled as required. Translation to German may be necessary.
⏱ ~14 days💶 €100🔗 Official linkProof of Financial Means
Demonstrate sufficient financial resources for your stay. Amount varies by visa type: students need €11,904/year (blocked account), job seekers similar amount. Options: blocked account (Sperrkonto), sponsor declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung), scholarship letter, employment contract.
⏱ ~14 days🏦 Funds required🔗 Official linkHealth Insurance
Arrange health insurance before departure. Options: travel insurance for initial period, German public/private insurance starting from arrival date, expat insurance. For visa application: proof of coverage for entire stay or at least initial months required.
⏱ ~3 days💶 €100🔗 Official linkGather Documents
Collect all required documents for your visa application: valid passport, biometric photos, application forms, proof of purpose (job offer, admission letter, etc.), financial proof, health insurance, accommodation proof. Check embassy website for specific requirements.
⏱ ~7 days🔗 Official linkBook Embassy Appointment
Book a national-visa appointment at the German embassy/consulate responsible for your residence district (most posts use an online booking portal; some use external providers like VFS Global). Waiting times of 2-8 weeks are common, so book as soon as your documents are in reach. Confirmation email/QR is checked at the entrance.
⏱ ~30 days🔗 Official linkAttend Visa Interview
Attend your national (D) visa interview at the German embassy or consulate. Bring the full document set: passport, biometric photos, application forms (VIDEX), proof of purpose (contract/admission/invitation), proof of financial means, and incoming health insurance. Fee: €75. Fingerprints are taken at the counter; incomplete files are rejected on the spot.
⏱ ~1 day💶 €75🔗 Official linkWait for Approval
Wait for visa decision from the German embassy/consulate. Processing times vary: employment visas 2-6 weeks, family reunion 8-12 weeks, EU Blue Card 2-4 weeks. Embassy may contact you for additional documents or interview. Track application status if online tracking available.
⏱ ~42 days🔗 Official linkTravel to Germany
Enter Germany within your visa validity period. At border: present passport, visa, and supporting documents if requested. After arrival: complete registration within 14 days, convert visa to residence permit as required. Keep travel documents organized.
⏱ ~1 day💶 €500🔗 Official linkFind Accommodation
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkPost-arrival steps are part of the full flow. Start free to track your pre-arrival progress, then unlock the 12 post-arrival steps when you land.Register Address (Anmeldung)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkComplete Internship
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkReceive Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkOpen Bank Account
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkSet Up Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkSet Up Internet Contract
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkGet German Phone Number / SIM Card
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkRegister with a GP (Hausarzt)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkGet Home Contents Insurance (Hausratversicherung)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkGet Liability Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkExchange Foreign Driver's License
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official link
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Turn this guide into a personal checklist: tick off steps, keep your documents together, and always know what comes next.