Vocational training (Ausbildung)
Legal basis: § 16a Residence Act. Most training is dual: work in a company plus classes at a vocational school. The Federal Employment Agency must approve it. A side job of up to 20 hours a week is allowed.
This is where most scams happen. No agent can sell you a training place or a visa. A real place comes with a training contract from a named company. Read Avoiding scams first.
What you need
- A training contract or written confirmation from the company or school.
- German: usually B1 for qualified vocational training; in some cases A2 or a preparatory course is accepted.
- Living costs: 2026 benchmark €822 net (€1,048 gross) a month for dual training, €959 for school-based training (Make it in Germany). If the training pay is lower, a blocked account covers the gap.
- School certificates with apostille: Documents and apostille.
The Consulate General Hong Kong publishes no separate Ausbildung checklist that we found; ask which checklist applies. See TODO.
What you earn
Minimum training pay 2026: €724 / €854 / €977 / €1,014 a month in years 1 to 4 (BIBB). Collective agreements often pay more. If training ends through no fault of yours, you have up to 6 months to find a new place.
Looking for a training place from Germany (§ 17)
Under 35, German B1, a school certificate giving university access, and secured living costs; up to 9 months (§ 17). After training: a skilled-worker permit (§ 18a) with a matching job. Find places: Federal Employment Agency.
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