If you want to study or train in Germany, there is a permit for each path. Which one fits depends on whether you are going to university, doing vocational training, or still looking for a place.
University study
The study permit (Studium, §16b) is for full time study at a recognised university, including study preparation such as a language course or a foundation year (Studienkolleg).
You generally need:
A place at the university (an admission letter, Zulassungsbescheid), or a place on a study preparation course.
The general conditions for a permit, including proof that you can fund your studies and health insurance.
If those are met, the permit is granted as a right, not left to discretion. No labour office approval is needed for study.
Good to know while studying:
You can work alongside your studies. The rules allow a set amount of work per year (commonly counted as full and half days) plus normal student side jobs.
Funding is usually shown with a blocked account or a sponsor. A blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a formal undertaking from someone who will cover your costs is the common way to prove funds. The required amount is set by the authorities and changes over time, so check the current figure.
After you graduate, you can get up to 18 months to look for a qualified job, and then switch to a work permit.
Vocational training
The vocational training permit (Berufsausbildung, §16a) covers two kinds of training:
Company based training, which needs approval from the labour office (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
School based training, which does not need labour office approval.
You generally need a training place, the general conditions for a permit, proof you can support yourself (a blocked account or a sponsor can be used), and usually German at about B1 for qualified training, unless the school checks your language or a preparatory course covers it. The permit is normally given for the length of the training plus 18 months to find a job afterwards.
Still looking for a study or training place
If you have not secured a place yet, there is a permit to come to Germany and look for a study place or a training place (§17). Once you find a place, you switch to the study or training permit.
Not sure which path fits
Whether you qualify, how to prove your funding, and how to move from study or training into work afterwards are the parts that depend on your own case. An immigration lawyer can look at your situation and tell you what to prepare.
This is general information based on publicly available sources. It is not legal advice and it does not assess your individual case. Under German law, advice on your specific situation may only be given by a qualified lawyer.
Sources:
Aufenthaltsgesetz §16a, §16b, §17, §20 — gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004
Verfahrenshinweise zum Aufenthalt in Berlin (VAB), sections A.16a, A.16b, A.17, A.20, version 12.06.2026 — Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin