Route: vocational training (Ausbildung)
Legal basis: § 16a AufenthG. The Federal Employment Agency must approve. A side job of up to 20 hours a week is allowed.
German level: sources disagree. The law requires "sufficient" German, which in practice means B1 unless the school tests German itself or a preparatory course is planned. The India mission page says A2, and B1 for medical professions. Ask the mission and your training employer.
Money (2026, Bern mission page; the India checklist still shows old 2022 values)
- Company-based training: pay of at least €1,048 gross / €822 net a month.
- School-based training: €959 net a month.
- Any shortfall is covered by a blocked account or a sponsor's obligation letter.
Visa to look for a training place (§ 17)
Age under 35 (not yet 35), German B1, a school-leaving certificate that qualifies for university, money for up to 9 months.
Placement services: not verified. The official route is the ZAV of the Federal Employment Agency. Numbers for Berlin are small (about 254 Indian trainees in 2025).
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