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Internships
Trainees with a trainer from Germany © BIBB/iMOVE
Who needs a visa?
Please first check whether your internship meets one of the following conditions:
- Internships arranged by the Federal Employment Agency as holiday jobs.
- Internships as part of a program funded by the EU or bilateral development cooperation (such as Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates, Tempus). Please note: it is not sufficient for your study visit to be funded by the EU; the internship program must be explicitly funded.
- Internships as part of an international exchange program organized by associations, public institutions, or student organizations for students or graduates of foreign universities in agreement with the Federal Employment Agency. The agreement must be obtained by your internship company before you enter Germany.
- Government internships financed by German public funds, EU funds, or international intergovernmental organizations.
- Specialized internships during studies at a foreign university, which are carried out after the fourth semester in accordance with the subject of study and in agreement with the Federal Employment Agency. The agreement must be obtained by your internship company before you enter the country.
If your internship meets the above conditions AND lasts no longer than 90 days, you do not need a visa. You can enter Germany with your valid Bulgarian residence permit and complete the internship. The Bulgarian residence permit must be valid for the entire duration of the internship.
If your internship does not meet the above conditions, you will need a visa.
This does not apply to EU citizens (European Union), EEA citizens (European Economic Area), or Swiss citizens.
Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can also obtain the necessary residence permit after entering Germany from the relevant immigration office in Germany. You do not need to apply for a visa before moving to Germany. However, the internship can only be started once a corresponding German residence permit has been obtained.
Application procedure
Please use our digital application form, fill it out completely in English or German, and sign it, including the instructions pursuant to Section 54 of the Residence Act (AufenthG).
During the application process, you must prove that you meet the requirements for the visa to be issued (see Section 82 (1) of the Residence Act). Proof must always be provided in writing, i.e., by submitting documents.
The following documents are required in the original with a copy (NOT stapled, NOT bound) for the application:
- Completed and signed application form (original only)
- Original passport and a copy of the data sheet/photo page and the pages of the passport containing German residence permits. The passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months after entry. The passport will not be retained by the embassy during the application process.
- Current biometric photo – please do not submit computer printouts of photos (original only)
- Current Bulgarian residence permit (in the form of a residence card) of the applicant.
- Internship agreement (in German or with a German translation), signed by both parties, containing the following information:
- Exact names of the contracting parties
- Monthly remuneration (monetary and non-monetary benefits)
- Duration of the employment relationship
- Job description and rights and obligations of the intern
- If applicable: Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
- If the internship is part of a degree program: Current certificate of enrollment and proof that the internship is a mandatory part of the degree program (in German or with a German translation)
- Otherwise: Proof of the current purpose of stay in Bulgaria (employment contract, etc.)
- European health insurance with coverage of at least EUR 30,000 for the entire duration of the internship
- Fee of EUR 75 (payable in cash or by Visa or MasterCard)
The Embassy reserves the right to request further documents from you in individual cases after you have submitted your application.
The completeness of the documents submitted does not constitute a claim to the issuance of the requested visa.
Please note that your application can only be processed if your documents are complete on the day of application. In individual cases, further documents may be required.
You must submit the application form, supporting documents, and fee in person at the Embassy.
To do so, please book an appointment using the Embassy's online appointment system.
Processing time
Due to the possible need for approval from the authorities in Germany, you should generally allow 8-12 weeks for your visa application to be processed (calculated from the date on which the complete application documents are submitted at the Embassy).
During application processing
The visa office will check whether your complete application meets the legal requirements. Once a decision has been made on your application, the visa office will contact you. Please understand that questions about the status of your application will generally not be answered during the processing period. All communication can only take place with the applicants themselves, a legal representative, or a person authorized in writing.
Decision on the application
You will be informed as soon as the Embassy has made a decision on your application. Your passport is required for the visa to be issued.
If all the information on your visa label is correct, nothing stands in the way of your trip. Please check this as soon as you have your passport with the visa in your hands. You should notify us of any errors immediately so that we can issue a new visa.