The Ausbildung visa (Section 16a): documents and timeline

Ausbildung has its own visa category — Section 16a AufenthG — designed for dual vocational training. Unlike vaguer routes, it's filed only once you already hold a signed training contract.

The order of events

• German to B1 (B2 recommended for healthcare) — the foundation everything depends on.
• Employer & training-contract matching, then a signed contract with a named employer.
• File the Section 16a visa with that contract.
• Visa approval, travel booking, and arrival + training start.

What you'll need

A signed training contract, proof of German level, your qualifications, and (for physical trades like hospitality or healthcare-adjacent roles) a standard medical fitness certificate. The visa is valid for the full training duration — typically 2–3.5 years.

The single biggest predictor of a strong placement is your German level at the time of employer matching — so language is where to invest first.