Welcome
Vocational Training
If you wish to complete dual vocational training in Germany, you will find information on the visa for trainees here.
Please submit this application online via Consular Services Portal. This provides you with preliminary feedback on whether your documents are complete. Your appointment will then proceed quickly and efficiently.
General Information
All information regarding the scheduling of appointments can be found here .
| Visa Category | |
| National Visa | Fee |
| Regular | 75,- € |
| Reduced | 37,50,- € |
Visa fees must be paid either by international credit card (Visa / Mastercard) or in cash in RWF at the current exchange rate.
The duration of the entire visa process varies significantly: it can take from a few working days to several months. We cannot guarantee a specific processing time, as domestic German authorities must be involved during the process, and the German Embass in Kigali has no influence over their processing times. The final review and decision by the German Embassy can only take place after the feedback from Germany has been received. Please plan for a processing time of approximately three months. In individual cases, it may take longer.
The Embassy in Kigali reviews and decides on your application. In doing so, the legal requirements are always examined on a case-by-case basis based on the submitted application documents. Depending on the purpose of the stay, this review may take from a few working days to several months. The processing time increases if documents require more intensive scrutiny or if further research regarding the applicant or the actual purpose of the stay is necessary.
Regarding inquiries: For data protection reasons, detailed information can only be provided to the applicant, their legal representative, or a representative with written power of attorney. Other inquiries from third parties unfortunately cannot be answered. We ask for your understanding that the visa section is not reachable by telephone due to capacity constraints. However, you may send us a message at visa@kiga.diplo.de.
Exception: For applicants participating in the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, the processing time is generally three weeks after the application has been submitted. The processing time may be extended if additional documents are requested or if further questions must be clarified.
As a general rule, you must collect your passport in person.
Once a decision has been made on your application, you will be informed about the collection either via an email through the Consular Services Portal or by telephone.
Please check the website for information regarding public holidays on which the Embassy is closed.
Upon receiving your passport, please check that all details on the visa label are correct. Please notify us immediately of any errors so that we can issue a new visa. With a national visa, you may travel within the Schengen area. Everyone residing in Germany must be registered. You should do this at the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) or citizens' office (Bürgeramt) no later than two weeks after moving in. Please contact the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in your place of residence in Germany well before your visa expires to apply for your residence permit.
If your visa application has been rejected, this may be for various reasons. These reasons will be stated in the notice of refusal.
Your guide to arriving in Germany: Make it in Germany
The overview of required documents indicates whether you must provide a language certificate. Currently recognized providers of language certificates are:
- Language certificates from the Goethe-Institut e.V.
- Language certificates from telc Gmbh
- Language certificates from the Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD)
- “TestDaF” from the TestDaF-Institut e.V. (Institute of the FernUniversität in Hagen and the Ruhr-University Bochum, examination level from B2 CEFR onwards)
- Language certificates from the ECL Examination Centre
The certificate must not be older than 12 months at the time of application. If you have taken the examination in various modules/partial exams, all modules must have been completed with the same provider. Evidence of different exam parts from different providers is not sufficient.
The Embassy is aware of cases where language certificates have been issued or obtained fraudulently. The Embassy reserves the right to verify your German language skills. Insufficient German language proficiency may be a ground for the refusal of a visa application.
Information on this visa category
- A number of recruitment agencies offer placement for jobs or vocational training positions in Germany in exchange for high fees. Some of these offers are not reputable and in no case increase the chances of success for your visa application. Ensure that recruitment agencies or your future employer in Germany cover any such costs. (According to German law, fees for placement services for vocational training may only be requested from or accepted from the employer. German law also stipulates that agreements between a recruiter and a person seeking a training position regarding the payment of a fee are invalid.)
- You may undergo vocational training in Germany if you already have a commitment for a training position in a company and possess German language skills.
- If your employer has already obtained the approval of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) or the competent immigration authority in Germany before the start of the visa process, the processing time at the mission abroad is significantly reduced. The prior approval must be submitted as an original. If the visa application is submitted via the accelerated procedure for skilled workers or if an AZR number is specified on the prior approval, a copy is sufficient
Required Documents
Please submit all necessary documents (see below). Where an original exists, it must be presented in addition to the required simple copy. Originals will be returned to you upon completion of the process. All documents not issued in German, English, or French must be submitted together with a translation. Missing documents or evidence may lead to the rejection of the application.
In your application form, please provide all information regarding your entry into and stay in Germany. Please complete this form in full, print it, and sign it yourself.
Link to the “VIDEX” form.
Two current biometric passport photos (45mm x 35mm). Information on biometric passport photos can be found here.
Please paste only one passport photo onto the application form and attach the second one separately.
The document must have at least two blank pages (in the event of a positive decision, your visa will be pasted here).
Proof of sufficient health insurance coverage for entry, valid from the requested date of entry and for a duration of at least three months.
If you are subject to compulsory statutory health insurance as an employee, please note that this only takes effect upon establishing residence in Germany and commencing employment. Since this does not apply immediately upon entry, additional private health insurance must be taken out until the employment begins and enrollment in the statutory health insurance is possible. Travel health insurance policies may exclude coverage in their terms and conditions if a long-term or permanent stay is planned. So-called “incoming insurance” may also contain such exclusions.
Tabular and complete CV, specifically detailing previous education and, if applicable, professional experience.
It must be clear which work areas and positions in Germany you are interested in, where you intend to apply, and where in Germany you intend to reside (including details on accommodation and other means of subsistence). Additionally, if applicable, you must state which measures you plan to undertake in Germany for the recognition of your foreign professional qualifications.
Please submit the following regarding your previous education: school-leaving certificate or, if applicable, additional evidence of previous vocational training, university studies, or vocational school records.
Vocational training contract with the future training company, including the training plan. The contract must be submitted as an original, signed by all parties. The contract should be stamped by the training company.
If the training contract has already been stamped by the vocational school, the stamp must be legible.
One of the following documents must be submitted as proof of vocational school:
- Vocational school contract,
- Reservation of a school place at the vocational school,
- Registration confirmation from the vocational school, or
- Confirmation of registration from the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) or HWK (Chamber of Skilled Crafts).
If tuition fees are to be paid, information regarding the amount and payment terms must be included.
Exception: If the training contract has already been stamped and signed by the vocational school, no additional proof is required.
The Declaration of Employment (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) form must be fully completed by the future employer and submitted as an original. The company number (Betriebsnummer) must be specified on the declaration.
You must have a minimum monthly remuneration available during your training. You can find the current amount in the section “Salary thresholds and financial requirements in the visa process” above.
If your salary according to the training contract is below this amount, you must prove that you have sufficient own funds to cover the difference. Proof can be provided via a blocked account or, in individual cases, through a formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung). Further information on blocked accounts can be found here.
If you are provided with free accommodation or meals, this will be taken into account during the assessment. Information regarding the intended accommodation and the amount of rent is urgently required.
You must prove that you possess German language skills at least at level B1. Information on recognized examination providers can be found further above in the article in the section “Notes on German language certificates.”
Exception: If a language course in Germany precedes the training, skills at a lower level are sufficient. In this case, you must submit proof of your language course in addition to the language certificate of your current level.
Proof of sufficient health insurance coverage for entry, valid from the requested date of entry until the start of the vocational training relationship. If you are subject to compulsory statutory health insurance as a trainee, please note that this only becomes effective upon establishing residence in Germany and the start of the training. Since this does not apply immediately upon entry, additional private health insurance must be taken out until the training relationship begins and enrollment in the statutory health insurance is possible. Travel health insurance policies may exclude coverage in their terms and conditions if a long-term or permanent stay is planned. So-called “incoming insurance” may also contain such exclusions.