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Internship Visa
All information about the visa for completing an internship in Germany (internship visa Germany).
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About this Page
What types of visas are available for internships in Germany
which internship visa is right for you
how to apply for an internship visa
Difference between internship, exchange program and shadowing
Table of Contents
1. Internship visa Germany
2. Study-related internship EU
3. Internship in Germany while studying abroad
4. International exchange programs
5. Internships
6. Holiday activities
7. FAQ Internship Visa
8. Conclusion
1. Internship visa Germany
A visa for an internship in Germany is required for many international students and prospective professionals who want to gain practical experience in German companies or research institutions. The requirements, duration of the internship, and the application process depend on your nationality and the type of internship. This article explains what documents you need, how to apply for the visa , and what deadlines you should observe to successfully start your internship in Germany.
To apply for an internship visa for Germany, applicants must first clarify what type of internship they are seeking. Therefore, different requirements apply to all internship visas.
The following practical residence permits are available for completing an internship in Germany:
Study-related internship EU (Section 16e Residence Act)
Internship in Germany while studying abroad (Section 15 No. 6 Employment Regulations)
International exchange programs (Section 15 No. 4 BeschV)
Internships (Section 7 of the Residence Act)
Holiday employment (Section 14 (2) Employment Ordinance)
There are also other types of internships (see Section 15 of the Employment Ordinance), which are not covered in this article as they are less relevant to practice.
2. Study-related internship in the EU (Section 16e of the Residence Act)
Under certain conditions, international students and university graduates are entitled to a residence permit for an internship under Section 16e of the Residence Act (AufenthG) for up to six months. This residence permit is intended to enable them to acquire practical knowledge and experience in a professional environment and to complement their theoretical studies.
In order to be granted a residence permit for a study-related internship in the EU, several requirements must be met. The internship must primarily serve the purpose of training and not be interpreted merely as a regular employment opportunity. A written agreement with the host institution is required. This agreement must contain detailed information about the educational objective, duration, framework conditions, and supervision of the intern.
Another key requirement is that the applicant has either completed a university degree within the last two years prior to the application or is currently studying. The internship must also correspond in subject matter and level to the university degree or current degree program. Furthermore, the host institution must submit a declaration of commitment. This includes the assumption of all costs that public authorities may incur for living expenses or a possible deportation of the intern up to six months after the end of the internship.
3. Internship in Germany while studying abroad (Section 15 of the Employment Regulations)
International students wishing to complete a subject-related internship in Germany require a residence permit, depending on their country of origin. A residence permit can be issued in accordance with Section 16a of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 15 No. 6 of the Employment Regulations if the internship is part of a course of study at a foreign university, the applicant has already completed at least four semesters or six trimesters of study, and a certificate of enrollment or comparable proof is presented.
A higher education institution is defined as any educational institution abroad that offers a university degree comparable to a German university degree . The ANABIN database is used for verification purposes; only universities with H+ or H+/- status are recognized. A separate verification of the specific degree sought is not required.
4. International exchange programs
A residence permit for an international exchange program in Germany can be granted under certain conditions. Students currently studying abroad , as well as graduates who graduated less than 18 months ago, can complete such an internship. Recognized exchange organizations operating in this context include:
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
AIESEC
International Association of Agricultural Students (IAAS)
German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)
Federal Association of Medical Students in Germany (bvmd)
Universities and their exchange institutions
An internship in Germany as part of an international exchange program represents a valuable opportunity for students and graduates to gain professional experience and expand intercultural skills.
5. Internships
The completion of an internship must be strictly distinguished from so-called “sit-down” work. Legally, a job shadowing is not employment but serves solely to gain knowledge and experience in a field of activity. It takes place without a contractual definition of tasks , without an obligation to perform work, and without actual integration into the company. Therefore, it does not constitute employment within the meaning of Section 7 of the Social Code (SGB IV). The decisive factor in distinguishing between an internship and a job shadowing is the concluded job shadowing contract. If this contains work duties, such as compulsory attendance (e.g. 40 hours/week), the assumption of fixed tasks, remuneration, or an obligation to perform the service, it is no longer a job shadowing, but rather an internship or employment. Long contract terms of several months also speak against a job shadowing.
This regulation is particularly relevant for foreign physicians who visit a hospital for days or weeks as part of conferences or continuing education courses. As long as no medical practice is being carried out and no permit is required under Section 10 of the Federal Medical Examination Act (BÄO), this does not constitute employment. In these cases, a residence permit (but not a visa) is possible under Section 7 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). Therefore, a detailed review of the contract content is necessary to ensure a legally sound classification of an internship to avoid problems with the residence permit and possible classification as unauthorized employment.
6. Holiday activities
Holiday employment offers international students the opportunity to work and earn money in Germany during the semester break. However, the focus is not on training or further education, but on the earning potential . According to Section 14 Paragraph 2 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV), taking up holiday employment does not require approval if the job was arranged through the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and the duration does not exceed 90 days within twelve months. The BA placement certificate must be presented during the visa application process. If there are any doubts about the accuracy of the placement certificate – e.g., regarding local holiday periods – the Federal Employment Agency (AMZ Team 231 or 232) should be contacted before making a decision.
7. FAQ Internship Visa
Is approval from the immigration authorities required for an internship?
The involvement of the immigration authorities is generally only necessary in the case of relevant previous stays, since this is usually a stay for employment purposes which does not require the approval of the immigration authorities (Section 31 (1) Sentence 1 No. 2 lit. c) Alt cc) Residence Ordinance).
Will I be paid for the internship?
The statutory minimum wage generally applies to internships, unless there is a statutory exception under the Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG). Exceptions to the minimum wage include mandatory internships and orientation internships.
How long are internship visas valid?
Internship visas are usually issued for the duration of the internship, with a maximum duration of 12 months.
Do parents have to agree to apply for an internship visa?
If the foreigner has not yet reached the age of 18, the persons authorized to care for the person must consent to the application (Section 80 (5) Residence Act).
Does writing a thesis count as an internship?
Students who only write their thesis in a company do not complete an internship.
8. Conclusion
An internship visa for Germany depends on its type and legal basis. The most commonly used are Section 16e AufenthG (study-related internship in the EU) or Section 15 No. 6 BeschV (internship while studying abroad). The prerequisites are always that the internship content corresponds to the degree program, that there is a specific contract and, if necessary, that an invitation from the company is presented. Shadowing (e.g. by doctors) is strictly separated from this and does not constitute employment. Section 14 Para. 2 BeschV applies to holiday employment – with BA placement, the internship then does not require approval. The duration and legal consequences always depend on the specific type of internship. It must be noted that, even for internships in Germany , a livelihood must always be secured .