General information

To participate in an internship, a visa according to § 16e AufenthG or according to § 16a AufenthG in conjunction with § 15 BeschV can be applied for.

An internship provides insights into everyday working life and serves to prepare for a career choice or to gain professional experience. Internships are to be distinguished from job shadowing and holiday jobs: job shadowing does not involve employment; holiday jobs don´t involve the thought of continuing education.

Various internships are possible:

1. Study-related internship EU with a duration of up to 6 months under section 16e of the Residence Act,
2. Internship within the scope of a program receiving funding from the European Union or bilateral development cooperation,
3. Internship with a duration of up to one year as part of an international exchange program at associations, public-law institutions or student organizations for students or graduates of foreign higher education institutions by mutual agreement with the Federal Employment Agency,
4. Internship of skilled workers and executives receiving a scholarship from German public funds, European Union funds or the funds of international intergovernmental organizations,
5. Internship with a duration of up to one year by mutual agreement with the Federal Employment Agency during a course of study at a foreign higher education institution after the fourth semester that relates to the degree subject, or
6. Internship of pupils of German schools abroad with a duration of up to six weeks.

For Internships lasting up to 90 days you must apply for a Schengen visa. For an internship lasting more than 90 days, you must apply for a national visa and your salary must correspond to the current German minimum wage (except for mandatory internships).

Please submit the following documents for your application, one original with one copy of each original in paper format A4:

• Your valid passport

• One print-out of your duly filled and signed application form

• Two biometrical passport photos, one of which glued to the application forms

• Visa fee 75 Euro, payable only in cash in USD

• Your internship contract with details of the occupation you are training for, the duration of the internship and the start date, the number of weekly working hours, the work location and the amount of the allowance. The contract must be signed, stating the place and date.

• Training plan of your internship

• If applicable, proof of compulsory internship (certificate from university)

• Pre-approval from the competent German employment authority (if available; highly recommended)

• The following declaration form filled and signed by your employer: Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis

• Proof of livelihood:

  • An allowance stated in your internship contract
  • OR Formal obligation according to §§ 66-68 AufenthG with a confirmation of the declarant’s financial capacity by the local Immigration (“Ausländerbehörde”)
  • OR proof of a blocked bank account in your name with an amount of 992 Euro per month you wish to stay in Germany. For further information concerning a blocked account in Germany, please see here.

• Your letter of motivation, stating the reasons for choosing your desired training in Germany and your intentions or considerations for the time after you have completed your training

• Your school leaving certificate, evidence of previous professional training, studies and internships (only those with a minimum duration of 6 months)

• German certificate from an ALTE-certified language school (Goethe Institute, ÖSD, telc, Test DaF, ECL) OR a confirmation of your employer that they have tested the language skills required for the internship and found them sufficient.

• Proof of health insurance coverage
  • incoming health insurance in type and scope of health insurance coverage corresponding to that of a statutory health insurance, covering your whole stay in Germany
• If applicable, proof of compulsory internship (certificate from university)

For a Study-related internship EU you must meet and provide evidence of the following additional requirements:

• You are studying or have successfully completed your studies less than two years before you apply for a visa.
• The internship must correspond technically to your studies.
• Your internship contract with the receiving organization contains:
  • Description of the program for the internship including the educational objective or learning components,
  • Indication of the duration of the internship,
  • Conditions of work and supervision of the intern,
  • Working hours of the intern and
  • Legal relationship between the trainee and the receiving organization.
• The internship company has submitted a declaration of commitment to cover your living and departure costs that may be incurred by public authorities. This is valid for up to six months after the end of the internship.

In the case of internships as part of exchange programs or subject-related internships, you must meet the following additional requirements:

• You can present a certificate that the internship was arranged in the exchange program or by the university
• You provide evidence of the mutual agreement of the Federal Employment Agency (Einvernehmen, applied for by the German employer), further information from the ZAV here.

Your application must be submitted personally at the German Embassy. Once you have obtained all the necessary documents, please register for an appointment here.

Please note:

Incomplete applications will be decided by the Embassy based on the documents that were submitted, and may be rejected.

Foreign documents which were not issued in Germany must be legalized or have an apostille.

Documents that are not in German or English language need to be translated by a recognized translator. (list of translators)

Please note that the Embassy can request further documents.