Instructions for self -preparation of German vocational studies 2025

Vocational training in Germany is a trend chosen by many young Vietnamese people thanks to its top quality training and wide open job opportunities. To realize the dream of studying abroad, preparing a set of German vocational study profile Complete and accurate information is the first step that is extremely important. Through this article, SHD Academy will provide the most detailed and updated information about the necessary documents and important notes in the process of completing the application.

Conditions for vocational study in Germany

Vocational training in Germany is a great choice for young people who want to study and work in a country with a leading developed economy in Europe. The conditions to participate in the program are very simple, students need to meet the following basic criteria:

• Age from 18-30.
• Good health, free from hepatitis and infectious diseases.
• Graduated from high school.
• German language certificate level B1
• No criminal record, good judicial record.

What does a German vocational study application include? 

Preparing a set German vocational study profile Complete and accurate information is the key factor in determining the success of the student visa application process. To help you understand and prepare better, SHD Academy will provide specific instructions on each type of document required in the German vocational study application according to the latest standards, including:

• Valid passport
• Biometric passport photo
• Copy of birth certificate
• Letter of introduction
• Academic results, current degrees or certificates (if any)
• German language certificate upon request
• Certificate of participation in German language course
• Prior approval (Vorabzustimmung)
• Health insurance
• Additional documents if required

1. Valid passport

When applying for vocational training in Germany, you need to prepare the original passport and a notarized copy. Note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before expiration to facilitate the review process. At the same time, the valid passport must also have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamping in case of visa issuance.

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months for the visa application process to go smoothly (Source: Collected)

2. Biometric passport photo

Biometric passport photos must be clear, professional and comply with Embassy regulations. When taking photos, you should choose a white or gray background, wear formal clothes and avoid using unnecessary accessories such as jewelry or fashion glasses.

In terms of appearance, the photo must meet the standard size of 35mm x 45mm, with the face occupying 70%-80% of the photo area (from chin to top of head, excluding hair). At the same time, the photo must be taken within the last 3 months and accurately reflect your current appearance to avoid unnecessary trouble during the application review process.

Some notes when taking biometric passport photos (Source: SHD Academy)

3. Copy of birth certificate

Another document that you need to prepare when going to study a vocational course in Germany is a copy of your birth certificate that is notarized by a local authority. Depending on the specific requirements of each school or vocational training center, you may need to prepare a notarized translation into German to ensure the legality of your documents.

A copy of the birth certificate must be notarized by a competent authority (Source: Collected)

4. Letter of introduction

A letter of introduction is an important supporting element in the German vocational study application, helping to increase the chance of being accepted into the study program. In the letter, you need to clearly state the reasons for choosing to study in Germany, the reasons for choosing that profession, and your study plan as well as your plans after graduation. Show your motivation, goals and determination to study. At the same time, the content of the letter also needs to explain specifically why you think this profession is suitable for your abilities and interests. 

In particular, students participating in the German vocational study abroad program together SHD Academy You will be guided in detail by a team of experts on how to write a self-introduction letter in a systematic and professional manner. In addition, SHD Academy also supports students in recording impressive introduction videos, helping you to create a good impression with employers and increase your chances of being admitted to the German vocational study abroad program.

A cover letter stating your outstanding achievements and potential in your chosen career (Source: Collected)

5. Current degree, academic results or certificates

Certificates and degrees are important evidence of educational qualifications in the German vocational study application. In particular, for 18-year-old candidates, a high school transcript is required, detailing the timelines and achievements. You need to prepare a set of documents including 1 original and 2 notarized copies of all existing diplomas (high school diploma, vocational certificate, college or university degree) depending on your educational level.

The German vocational study application includes 1 original and 2 notarized copies of existing diplomas (Source: Collected)

7. Certificate of German language proficiency

A German language certificate is an indispensable part of the German vocational study application, with a minimum requirement of B1 level. This certificate must be licensed by reputable organizations such as TestDaF, Goethe-Zertifikat or telc Deutsch, meeting the standards of the European Association for Language Testing.

Understanding the importance of learning German, SHD Education offers students a modern learning environment with advanced facilities, highly qualified teachers and effective learning methods. Here, students will be equipped with a solid language foundation, confidently conquer the B1 certificate and be ready to embark on the journey of vocational study in Germany.

8. Documents confirming participation in German language course

In addition to the German language certificate, German vocational study profile You need to provide complete documents proving that you have participated in the language learning process. These documents include confirmation of the study period (minimum 6 months), details of the number of lessons and program content, the training center address, along with the tuition payment invoice. You should proactively contact the German language training center where you studied to receive all these documents, ensuring their authenticity and meeting the requirements of the application.

9. Admission letter or apprenticeship/internship contract

When preparing your application for vocational training in Germany, you need to prepare a practical training contract with a training company in Germany. This contract must include detailed information about the training plan, be signed by all parties involved and must be submitted in original. At the same time, the contract must have a clear seal of the practical training company.

In addition, the application also requires one of the following documents:

• Theoretical training contract with vocational school.
• Certificate of reservation of place at vocational school.
• Confirmation of registration for a place at a vocational school.
• Confirmation from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or the Chamber of Crafts in Germany that the theoretical training contract has been registered with this authority.

If the student is required to pay tuition, the application must include information about the tuition amount and method of payment.

Note: If the practical training contract already has the signature and seal of the vocational school, you do not need to submit additional evidence of theoretical training at the vocational school..

If you are still wondering how to get an apprenticeship contract, SHD Academy will be your companion on this journey. With a large network of business partners in Germany, SHD Academy is committed to providing apprenticeship contracts with high salaries and attractive benefits, helping students feel secure when completing the application procedures and pursuing their studies in Germany.

Prepare contracts and academic certificates with full signatures (Source: Collected)

10. Prior approval (Vorabzustimmung)

Vorabzustimmung is a required document in the German vocational training application, considered as a travel permit allowing you to study a vocational training program in Germany. This is an official approval document issued by the German Immigration and Refugee Agency or the Labor Agency, confirming your legal status to participate in the chosen vocational course. 

Without Vorabzustimmung, your visa application will not be approved, so preparing this permit is a prerequisite for vocational training in Germany.

11. Health insurance

Health insurance is a mandatory requirement in German vocational study profile to ensure your rights and safety during your studies. When submitting your application, you must provide a health insurance certificate valid for at least 3 months from the expected date of entry. If you are taking a German language course in Germany, your health insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the course.

If you are studying a language first and then doing vocational training later, you will need to pay for insurance once your Visa is approved. If you are doing vocational training right from the start, you will need to provide proof of payment and insurance policy from the training school.

Realizing the importance of health insurance, SHD Academy has signed a cooperation agreement with Barmer, one of the leading health insurance companies in Germany, to ensure comprehensive benefits for students and bring peace of mind to them and their families.

Prepare health insurance valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry (Source: Collected)

12. Additional documents if required

In some special cases, depending on the specific study program, it may be possible German vocational study profile Some additional documents will be required. To be sure, you should contact SHD Academy for advice and to prepare the most complete and accurate application.

Instructions on how to prepare your own application for vocational study in Germany

Prepare vocational training application in Germany is an important process and requires meticulousness to ensure you have everything you need. Here is a detailed and effective step-by-step guide to doing it yourself:

Step 1 – Find out information about the German vocational study center and the profession you want to study.

Before studying a profession in Germany, you need to carefully research the appropriate consulting center and major. Choose reputable centers with experience and reliable partners in Germany, ensuring full support from application to admission. At the same time, determine the profession based on your interests, personal abilities and job opportunities in the industry. 

In addition, do not forget to research the curriculum, admission requirements and training environment of German vocational study centers to best prepare for your study abroad journey.

Step 2 – Learn German

Next, you need to choose a reputable German training center that meets German standards to help you more easily take the German language certification exam. The German language learning path in Vietnam lasts from A1 to B2 with the average time to achieve the B1 certificate being from 8-12 months. In addition, you can refer to more information from the German language learning program at Shd Education. 

Step 3 – German language certificate test B1

German B1 certificate is a necessary condition to complete the application for vocational study in Germany and is internationally recognized. Popular certificates that Vietnamese students can choose from include:

• Goethe Certificate (organized and issued by the Goethe Institute)
• TestDaF
• TELC Certificate
• Other certificates are organized by units authorized by Germany.

Step 4 – Prepare documents and notarized translation

Vocational training applications in Germany require many different types of documents (listed in detail in section 2). In addition, these documents need to be translated into German and important documents such as high school transcripts, vocational certificates, university entrance exam scores, etc. You can do this step in parallel with the German language learning process to save more time waiting for results.

Step 5 – Financial proof, open blocked account

Depending on the vocational study abroad program you apply for, your German language level and your expected arrival date, you may need to prove your financial means to study abroad.

However, for students who register to study vocational training in Germany at SHD Academy, students will not have to worry about proving financial resources or opening a blocked account. Thanks to cooperative relationships with businesses in Germany, SHD Academy will provide maximum support for students to have the opportunity to study and practice with an attractive salary enough to spend and live in Germany according to regulations.

Step 6 – Submit application and interview for German vocational study visa

The final step is to prepare all the documents and submit them to the German Embassy in Vietnam. Once the documents are received, you will receive a notice to attend an interview. If the documents meet the requirements, you will be granted a vocational student visa to study and work in Germany.

Prepare your documents carefully and meticulously to increase your chances of being granted a visa to study vocational training in Germany (Source: Collected)

Time to review application for Vocational Study Visa in Germany

The processing time for a German vocational study visa usually takes 2-4 weeks, however, this period may vary depending on the completeness of the documents you submit to the Embassy. If the documents are incomplete or the information is unclear, the processing time may be extended to 8-12 weeks. 

Frequently asked questions on the topic "Germany vocational study application" 

How much financial proof is required to study vocational training in Germany?

Applicants for a vocational training visa in Germany must ensure that they have at least 929 Euros per month, equivalent to about 24 million VND (excluding any additional fees) to cover living expenses during their stay. In case the salary under the practical training contract is lower than the prescribed level, you need to prove that you have enough personal financial resources to cover the difference. 

How much is the German visa fee?

Currently, the cost of applying for a German vocational training visa for people aged 18 and over is 75 Euros, about 2 million VND. In case you are under 18 years old, you only need to pay 37.50 Euros, about 1 million VND (paid in Vietnamese Dong).

SHD Academy – Accompanying and comprehensive support Friend get a vocational study visa

To increase your chances of studying vocational training in Germany, let SHD Academy accompany you in every step of preparing your application. With a student visa passing rate of up to 99%, we provide in-depth vocational training consulting services and comprehensive support to help you choose the most suitable major and easily obtain a visa quickly. 

With the strength of its cooperative network with local authorities in the southern provinces, prestigious businesses and state governments in Germany, SHD Academy has connected and helped many young Vietnamese people to dream of studying and doing their favorite jobs in Germany. At the same time, SHD Academy's services always aim for comprehensiveness, including German language training, elementary vocational training, interview training and student support in Germany, to ensure that every step in your study abroad journey is accompanied by a team of experienced professionals from SHD Academy. 

Contact information:

• Hotline: 033 676 0276
• Address: 679 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/shdacademy.duhocngheduc/

SHD Academy – the leading unit in the field of vocational study in Germany (Source: SHD Academy)

Vocational training in Germany not only helps you improve your professional skills but also creates many attractive career opportunities in the future. Preparation German vocational study profile Applying correctly and following the correct visa application process is an important step to get you closer to your study abroad goals. Start your journey to build a career in Germany with SHD Academy today!