Purpose of residence: vocational training

Purpose of residence: vocational training Learning a trade in the Saarland
Purpose of residence: vocational training
Learning a trade in the Saarland
European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
If you want to pursue a vocational qualification in the Saarland and are a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you require neither a visa nor a residence permit, as you have the right to move freely within Europe.
Exception: Swiss citizens
Swiss citizens receive a residence permit from the immigration office to prove their right of residence.
Funding programme for training
Special assistance is available to young vocational training candidates from the EU, EEA countries or Switzerland, who are free to work anywhere in the EU.
International Placement Services (ZAV)
International Placement Services (ZAV) at the Federal Employment Agency recruits and finds candidates from non-European countries for project sponsors. There are project sponsors in the Saarland.
For information, please contact the hotline of International Placement Services (ZAV) by calling +49 (0)228/ 7131083 oder e-mailing thejobofmylife@arbeitsagentur.de.
Citizens of other countries
Citizens of other countries
Citizens of other countries (non-EU citizens)
Citizens of other countries (non-EU citizens)
If you come from a country outside the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you can also pursue vocational training in the Saarland under certain conditions. However, you will require a visa. You can apply for a visa for educational purposes at the local German mission (embassy, consulate) in your country. If you are a citizen of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand or the US, you may also enter without a visa and apply for a residence permit for educational purposes at the local immigration office.
Prerequisites for training in the Saarland
Training position
You have already found a training position at a company in the Saarland.
Approval of the Federal Employment Agency
The Federal Employment Agency has approved your training programme. If you complete your training at an advanced vocational college or similar organisation, you do not need the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
Financial self-sufficiency
In your visa application for the training you have to prove that you can finance your own living expenses.
During your training, you may also work ten hours a week in a job that is not related to your training, such as serving in a restaurant.
Contact the German embassy in your home country to find out whether you need to meet additional requirements for the visa and which documents are required.
If you meet all the requirements for the training programme and obtain a visa, you must apply for a residence permit for the training programme at the immigration office after you arrive in the Saarland.
German language skills
Recognition of school reports
Recognition of school reports
After your training
After your training
After your training
After your training
After you complete your training, you can stay in the Saarland for one year in order to look for a job in your studied profession. You will need a residence permit from your local immigration office. During this time, you can take any job to finance your own living expenses.
If you find a job that matches your qualifications during this year, you can obtain the appropriate residence permit from the immigration office.
If you find a job that matches your qualifications during this year, you can obtain the appropriate residence permit from the immigration office.
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