Route: vocational training (Ausbildung)

§ 16a AufenthG: training contract, German level, money, training pay, nursing training.

An Ausbildung is a 2 to 3.5 year vocational programme, usually dual (company plus vocational school). Legal basis: § 16a AufenthG. Portal category "Vocational training"; the guide value for the appointment is up to nine months (Visa and embassy).

Requirements and money

• A signed training contract with registration at the vocational school (school-based training: school contract) and the BA declaration filled in by the training company (embassy page, German).
• German: by law B1 (§ 2 (11)) is needed only if the institution does not test the language; no proof is needed if a preparatory German course is planned (§ 16a (3) S. 2). The embassy states A2 for other and B1 for qualified training such as nursing, and recommends a certificate even where a confirmation from company or school may suffice.
• Living costs secured: €959 a month for company-based and school-based training (Federal Gazette BAnz AT 29.08.2025 B1). €822 net / €1,048 gross is only a Make it in Germany working value.
• Minimum training pay, contracts starting 2026: €724 / €854 / €977 / €1,014 in years 1 / 2 / 3 / 4; starting 2027: €764 / €902 / €1,031 / €1,070 (BIBB). Collective agreements often pay more.
• Side job: up to 20 hours a week (§ 16a (3) S. 1). Health insurance starts one week before the contract.

Nursing training and training-place search

Training as a nurse via a company falls under the restriction for Cameroon: Nursing and health. The permit to look for a training place (§ 17, up to nine months) needs university-entrance qualification, age under 35, B1 and €1,091 a month; whether the embassy issues it in practice was not confirmed. Beware fake training offers: Scams.