Ausbildung in Germany with the permit you already have

The rule behind it

Every residence permit allows gainful employment unless a law prohibits or restricts it, and the permit must show whether employment is allowed. An in-company Ausbildung counts as employment. So the question is whether your kind of permit carries a restriction.

Residence Act §4a · SGB IV §7(2)

By permit

• Family reunion (spouse or child of someone living in Germany): the family-reunion rules contain no restriction, so if your card says employment is allowed ("Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet"), you can start. If it does not, ask your foreigners’ authority before you sign the contract.
• Student permit: you can switch to an Ausbildung, even before finishing your degree, but you must first apply for the residence permit for vocational training (§16a). The Federal Employment Agency usually has to approve it. Make it in Germany · §16a
• Opportunity Card: it only allows work of up to 20 hours a week on average and trial jobs, so a full Ausbildung needs the §16a permit first. §20a
• Settlement permit or EU long-term residence: employment is allowed; no new permit is needed.

What to do

1. Book free careers advice at the employment agency for training places near you.
2. Get the training contract.
3. If you need a new permit, apply at your foreigners’ authority before the training starts. Find yours (BAMF-NAvI)