Germany — Study (Vocational training (Ausbildung, paid))

Main requirements

Ausbildung is Germany's dual vocational training: part in a company (with a trainee salary), part at vocational school. Per the Tehran embassy, an in-company vocational training visa needs a training contract with a German company and currently also a pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) from the Federal Employment Agency or the foreigners' authority (fast-track §81a) before you can even apply. Per the Employment Agency, the pre-approval is valid for 9 months and the visa must be issued within that time.

Documents

Embassy list: passport valid one more year; VIDEX form; biometric photo; pre-approval; signed training contract (company and real work address, occupation, full/part-time, gross training pay, duration); 'Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis'; proof of funds; German certificate; education documents with German translation certified by the Iranian MFA; motivation letter and CV in German; work records; health insurance until employment starts; EUR 75 cash.

Language

The embassy requires at least German B1 from an ALTE-standard exam (Goethe, telc, ÖSD, ECL or TestDaF). With only A2 you need confirmation from the company or vocational school that your German suffices, or enrolment in a German course before training starts.

Costs and proof of funds

The Tehran embassy page (no year given) says living costs are covered if monthly training pay is at least EUR 855 net / EUR 1,030 gross; otherwise the gap must be covered by blocked account (EUR 10,260/year on that page), declaration of commitment, Sperrkontoerklärung with bank statement, or scholarship. The Federal Foreign Office 2026 table (e.g. the Pristina embassy page) gives at least EUR 1,048 gross per month for in-company training starting from 1 September 2025 (EUR 822 net per the Addis Ababa embassy). Before signing, check which figure the Tehran embassy accepts. Visa fee EUR 75.

Steps and timeline

Get German to B1 first, then find a company offering a training contract; the company obtains the pre-approval from the Employment Agency (online) or via the fast-track procedure at the foreigners' authority; the fast-track fee is EUR 411, usually paid by the employer. Then pick the matching TLScontact list: for a fast-track pre-approval 'Fast-Track Medical and Care Professions' or 'Fast-Track Other Professions'; for a BA pre-approval 'Pre-Approval from Federal Employment Agency Medical and Care Professions' (e.g. nursing training) or '... Other Professions'. Per the embassy (2026-10-14), appointments are issued to people holding a fast-track (§81a) pre-approval who registered on the new TLScontact lists since 15 July 2026; for the Employment Agency pre-approval list in non-medical professions the embassy has not announced appointments yet. School-based training (§16a(2)) falls under 'NEW National visa Other', for which the embassy says it is not yet foreseeable when appointments will be issued. Do not apply in neighbouring countries; applications there are rejected.

Notes for Iranian applicants

Attractive for people without a degree or whose degree is not recognised, but finding a company from Iran and getting a pre-approval is hard. Iranian airspace is closed per the embassy site (2026-10-14). Conscripts should check their exit permit first.

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, path to permanent residence)

After completing the Ausbildung you hold a German vocational qualification and count as a skilled worker (Fachkraft); with a matching job you can get a skilled-worker permit. Per DAAD, a settlement permit requires among other things at least three years' stay, self-sufficiency and German B1.