GermanyStudy and training

Germany internship visa

Residence permit for an EU internship (§ 16e AufenthG) and other internships

In short

Graduates of the last two years and current university students can complete an internship in Germany under § 16e of the Residence Act for up to six months. The internship must match the field of study and normally needs approval from the Federal Employment Agency.

Apply on Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to six months for the EU internship permit
Fee
€75National (D) visa fee under § 46 AufenthV. In Germany the residence permit then costs EUR 100 (reduced for Turkish nationals with association rights).
Work
Only the approved internship.
Where to apply
German mission responsible for your place of residence, or online via the Consular Services Portal for categories handled there; internships up to 90 days may be done on a Schengen visa with the required approval.

Who qualifies

You must have obtained a university degree within the two years before applying, or be enrolled in a degree programme. The internship must be in the same field and at the same level as the degree, and the host company must sign an internship agreement covering the training programme, duration, supervision, working hours and the legal relationship.

Documents

Add to the identity documents the signed internship agreement, the host's cost guarantee, your diploma or student certificate, proof of funds if the internship is unpaid or low-paid, and health insurance.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport valid for the planned stay, with copies of the data page
  • National visa application form (online via the Consular Services Portal or VIDEX national form) and the Section 54 declaration
  • Biometric photo, 35 × 45 mm

Work

  • Signed internship agreement (programme, duration, supervision, hours, legal relationship)
  • Host's written cost guarantee

Study

  • Degree obtained in the last two years or current student certificate

Insurance

  • Health insurance

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Money

  • Proof of funds if the internship pay does not cover living costs

Approval and cost guarantee

The Federal Employment Agency must approve the internship unless a regulation or intergovernmental agreement exempts it. The host must also commit in writing to cover public costs for up to six months after the agreement ends if you overstay. Internships that are a compulsory part of studies in Germany are covered by the student permit instead.

  1. Check the right category in the Federal Foreign Office Visa Navigator and follow the instructions of the German mission responsible for your place of residence (category: internship / employment): it either gives you an appointment or directs you to the Consular Services Portal.
  2. If redirected, create an account on the Consular Services Portal, fill in the application and upload the documents as PDFs; registering on the portal alone is not yet a valid application.
  3. Attend the appointment at the mission or its service provider for fingerprints and identity checks, bringing originals of all uploaded documents; pay the EUR 75 visa fee.
  4. The mission forwards the file to the foreigners authority in your future German town and, where required, to the Federal Employment Agency; wait for the decision.
  5. After entry, register your address at the local registration office (Anmeldung) within two weeks.
  6. Before the visa expires, apply for the residence permit at the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde).

After arrival

Register your address and, for stays beyond the visa, apply for the residence permit. The permit ends with the internship and cannot exceed six months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do an internship after graduating three years ago?

Not under § 16e, which requires a degree from the last two years. Other internship routes under the employment regulation may apply in specific cases.

How long can the internship last?

Up to six months on the EU internship permit.

Is approval from the employment agency needed?

Generally yes, unless a regulation or agreement exempts the internship.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Germany

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: The visa is usually issued for several months; the residence permit in Germany is normally granted for two years at a time, at least one year, and renewed while studies progress.
  • Language course visa Validity: For the length of the course.
  • Researcher visa Validity: At least one year, or the length of the research project if shorter.
  • Au pair visa Maximum stay: Six to twelve months

Work

  • Work visa Processing time: Appointment waiting times depend on the mission; after submission the Federal Employment Agency approval adds a few weeks. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure shortens this.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the employment contract plus three months if shorter.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the contract plus three months.
  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Up to one year; a follow-up Opportunity Card of up to two years is possible for a qualified job that does not yet meet another permit.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the transfer, at most three years (one year for trainees).
  • Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months, once

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Visa for entry; the residence permit is then issued in line with the sponsor's permit.
  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Same appointment system and waiting times as other family reunification visas at the mission responsible for you.

Residence

Faster processing

  • Fast-track and priority visa services Processing time: Recognition authority: decision within two months; Federal Employment Agency: one week; mission: appointment within three weeks and decision usually within three weeks of a complete application.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Processing time: Regular procedure: six months from the application; accelerated procedure: at most three months; border procedure: at most twelve weeks.

Germany visa guide