Training contract
Employer and applicant decide.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Section 16a: vocational training in Germany.
A factual overview. It does not replace an individual assessment or legal advice.
§ / 16aTHE ROUTE AT A GLANCE
From contract to potential skilled worker.
Section 16a review
Authorities review contract, conditions and evidence.
Vocational training
Employer, school and practical learning work together.
Perspective
Qualified employment may enable Section 18a.
REQUIREMENTS
What the procedure assesses.
Specific training place
The route requires evidence of a specific company-based or school-based training place in Germany.
Required language skills
Skills needed for the specific training must be assessed or acquired through a preparatory course. SAISONIA confirms the achieved level in writing with a certificate before an introduction.
Secured livelihood
Training pay and any additional evidence are assessed individually under the rules in force when applying.
Approval for company-based training
The Federal Employment Agency is involved where required and reviews employment conditions in particular.
Visa and residence
The competent German mission abroad and later the local immigration authority decide on visa and residence.
AFTER TRAINING
Continued employment may enable a new residence title.
After successful completion, qualified employment may make a skilled-worker residence title under Section 18a possible. This is not automatic; the requirements are assessed again. A temporary job-search route may also be available.
Last updated: August 2026No legal advice. The law and competent authorities govern each case.