{"id":1422,"date":"2024-07-26T09:54:05","date_gmt":"2024-07-26T07:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/?page_id=1422"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T16:53:54","slug":"integrationskurs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/integrationskurs\/","title":{"rendered":"How can I find an integration course?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\u25b7 See all <a href=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/buerokratie-guidelines\/\">step-by-step guides<\/a>.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1264\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/diversity-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/diversity-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/diversity-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/diversity-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/diversity.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Find out in 7 steps how to take an integration course. <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">A quick overview:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check whether you can take an integration course.<\/li>\n<li>Search for a school. Contact the school by email, phone or in person.<\/li>\n<li>Check whether the integration course is free of charge for you.<\/li>\n<li>Register for the course.<\/li>\n<li>If necessary, apply for admission or an obligation to praticipate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: semi-bold;\"><strong>Click on headlines<\/strong> to open steps<\/span><\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>For more information, click on the small <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>numbers<\/strong><\/span>.<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"1\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-1\">1<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-1\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"1\">Example<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px;\">1. Is an integration course right for you?<\/span><\/summary>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1259\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/language-learning-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/language-learning-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/language-learning-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/language-learning-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/language-learning.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Integration courses are mostly <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">German courses<\/span><\/strong> and are for beginners in German (A1\/A2).<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"2\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-2\">2<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-2\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"2\">You can find more information <a href=\"https:\/\/handbookgermany.de\/en\/german-courses\">here<\/a>.<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>Check if you have enough time. Integration courses take 600 hours over <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">6-8 months<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and usually take place daily (Monday\u2013Friday).<\/li>\n<li>As an alternative, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bamf.de\/EN\/Themen\/Integration\/ZugewanderteTeilnehmende\/ErsteOrientierung\/Erstorientierungskurse\/erstorientierungskurse-node.html\">initial orientation courses<\/a> for asylum seekers (level A1\/A2), which take 300 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px;\">2. Can you take an integration course?<\/span><\/summary>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1266 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/authorization-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/authorization-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/authorization-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/authorization-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/authorization.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you have received an <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">eligibility certificate<\/span><\/strong> or an <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">obligation to attend<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0an integration course, you can register directly at a school.<\/li>\n<li>If you do <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">not have<\/span><\/strong> a certificate of eligibility, but your German is below B1 level, you can submit an <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>application for admission<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0to the Immigration Office (Ausl\u00e4nderbeh\u00f6rde) or the Jobcenter. <sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"3\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-3\">3<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-3\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"3\"> See Step 5. You can find more information at <a href=\"https:\/\/handbookgermany.de\/en\/german-courses#faq_1198\">Handbook Germany<\/a>. <\/span> Persons in the asylum process, those with protection status, or those with a residence permit as employees or family members are usually entitled to admission (Note: Participation is not free of charge for everyone).<\/li>\n<li>In some cases, you can also take an integration course with a <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Duldung<\/span><\/strong> (tolerated stay permit).<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"4\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-4\">4<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-4\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"4\">With a &#8220;Ermessensduldung&#8221;\/ discretionary tolerated stay permit (\u00a760a AufenthG), &#8220;Ausbildungsduldung&#8221;\/tolerated stay for the purpose of vocational training (\u00a760c AufenthG) or a &#8220;Besch\u00e4ftigungsduldung&#8221;\/ tolerated stay permit for work (\u00a760d AufenthG)<\/span><\/li>\n<li>You may be able to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>apply for an obligation to participate<\/strong><\/span>, even if you <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>do not have a legal entitlement<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0to participate in an integration course. <sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"5\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-5\">5<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-5\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"5\"> See steps 4 and 5. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px;\">3. Is an integration course free of charge for you?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/summary>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1265 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/compare-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/compare-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/compare-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/compare-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/compare.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you have a <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">recognized protection status<\/span><\/strong><\/span> (positive asylum decision) or have been living in Germany for at least one year with a residence permit as an <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">employee<\/span><\/strong><\/span>, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">family member<\/span><\/strong><\/span>, or <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">ethnic German resettler<\/span><\/strong><\/span> (Sp\u00e4taussiedler:in), you are entitled to an integration course. If you receive benefits from the Jobcenter or Social Welfare Office (&#8220;Sozialamt&#8221;), or if your income is below a certain limit, the course is <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">free of charge <\/span><\/strong><\/span>for you.<\/li>\n<li>Since <strong>February 2026<\/strong>, individuals in an <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">ongoing asylum process<\/span><\/strong><\/span> are usually no longer able to attend an integration course free of charge. An exception applies if you are obligated to attend the course by the Social Welfare Office (&#8220;Sozialamt&#8221;) or the Immigration Office (&#8220;Ausl\u00e4nderbeh\u00f6rde&#8221;). You can, for example, apply for such an obligation if you have a job offer for which German language skills are necessary.<\/li>\n<li>As an <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">alternative<\/span><\/strong><\/span>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bamf.de\/EN\/Themen\/Integration\/ZugewanderteTeilnehmende\/ErsteOrientierung\/Erstorientierungskurse\/erstorientierungskurse-node.html\">initial orientation courses<\/a> are open to asylum seekers. These consist of approximately 300 hours and teach German language skills at levels A1\/A2.<\/li>\n<li>If the course is <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">not free<\/span><\/strong><\/span> for you, you will have to pay around <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">1,600 \u20ac<\/span><\/strong><\/span> (2,29 \u20ac per lesson). You may be able to get 50% of the costs back later.<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"6\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-6\">6<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-6\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"6\">For that, you have to pass the final exam within 2 years and submit an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bamf.de\/SharedDocs\/Anlagen\/DE\/Integration\/Integrationskurse\/Kursteilnehmer\/AntraegeAlle\/630-031_antrag-rueckerstattung-kostenbeitrag_pdf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&amp;v=20\">application<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px;\">4. Search for a school<\/span><\/summary>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1267 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/house-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/house-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/house-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/house-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/house.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>Search for a school<\/strong><\/span> in your area that offers <span style=\"color: #000000;\">integration courses<\/span>.<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"7\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-7\">7<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-7\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"7\">You can use Google, the <a href=\"https:\/\/bamf-navi.bamf.de\/en\/Themen\/Integrationskurse\/\">search function of the BAMF<\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.arbeitsagentur.de\/sprachfoerderung\/suche\/sonstige-kurse\">employment agency<\/a>, for example<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Contact the schools <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">via email, phone, or in person<\/span><\/strong> and ask if there will be places available soon. If you need help finding a school, contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/beratungsstelle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local counseling center<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px;\">5. Submit an application for admission or an obligation to participate<br \/>\n<\/span><\/summary>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1257\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/curriculum-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/curriculum-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/curriculum-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/curriculum-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/curriculum.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Application for admission:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>If your current residence status <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">entitles you<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0to participate in an integration course, but you do not yet have a certificate of eligibility, you must apply for admission to the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees).<\/li>\n<li>If you have found a school, the school will assist you with the application. The response can take <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">1-3 months<\/span><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>If you have not found a school, it makes sense to <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">submit an application yourself<\/span><\/strong> not to loose time. You do that by sending an application by letter to BAMF. \u00a0You can fill out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bamf.de\/SharedDocs\/Anlagen\/DE\/Integration\/Integrationskurse\/Kursteilnehmer\/AntraegeAlle\/630-120_antrag-zulassung-integrationskurs-ausl_pdf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&amp;v=9\">this form<\/a> and hand it in.<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"8\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-8\">8<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-8\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"8\">If you have a residence permit with an online function, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/verwaltung.bund.de\/leistungsverzeichnis\/DE\/leistung\/99011002007000\/herausgeber\/LeiKa-574959\/region\/00\">submit the application online<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Application for an obligation to participate:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>If your current residence status <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">does not<\/span><\/strong> entitle you to participate in an integration course, you can try to apply for an <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">obligation to participate<\/span><\/strong><\/span> at the <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">&#8220;Jobcenter&#8221;<\/span><\/strong> or the <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Immigration Office<\/span><\/strong> (&#8220;Ausl\u00e4nderbeh\u00f6rde&#8221;). It is essential that you justify the <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">urgency<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0of your participation (e.g., a specific job offer for which German language skills are required).<\/li>\n<li>Once you have received this obligation in writing, you <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">no longer need to<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0submit an application for admission to the BAMF. You can go directly to a language school with this document.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px;\">6. Maybe apply for money for your travel expenses<br \/>\n<\/span><\/summary>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1263 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/public-transport-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/public-transport-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/public-transport-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/public-transport-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/public-transport.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you have no income<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"9\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-9\">9<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-9\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"9\">The regulation applies to everyone who receives asylum seeker benefits, B\u00fcrgergeld (&#8220;<span lang=\"EN-US\">Citizen\u2019s Allowance&#8221;<\/span>) or social assistance (Sozialhilfe).<\/span> and the distance to your course is more than 3 kilometers, you can apply for a <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>contribution to your travel costs<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>Your language school or you must submit an application for this. Attention, the application must be submitted <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>before the start of the course<\/strong><\/span>.<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"10\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-10\">10<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-10\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bamf.de\/SharedDocs\/Anlagen\/DE\/Integration\/Integrationskurse\/Kursteilnehmer\/AntraegeAlle\/630-032_antrag-fahrtkostenzuschusserstattung_pdf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&amp;v=12\">This form<\/a> must be sent to the BAMF.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px;\">7. Start your integration course<\/span><\/summary>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-2687\" src=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/education-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/education-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/education-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/education.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Once BAMF has approved your applications, you can start your integration course.<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"11\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-11\">11<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-11\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"11\"> Once you have registered, you have one year to complete the course. After that, the certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) is no longer valid.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>If your application is rejected, you can look for <strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">other options to learn German<\/span><\/strong>.<sup class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote modern-footnotes-footnote--hover-on-desktop \" data-mfn=\"12\" data-mfn-post-scope=\"00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" aria-describedby=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-12\">12<\/a><\/sup><span id=\"mfn-content-00000000000020dc0000000000000000_1422-12\" role=\"tooltip\" class=\"modern-footnotes-footnote__note\" tabindex=\"0\" data-mfn=\"12\">You can ask for help at a <a href=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/beratungsstelle\/\">local counseling center<\/a>.<\/span> If necessary, ask for help at a <a href=\"https:\/\/adressen.asyl.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local counseling center<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<p>This page was realized with the support of the Postcode Lottery. (Last updated February 2026)<br \/>\n\u25b7\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/buerokratie-guidelines\/\">View all step-by-step guides<\/a>.<br \/>\n\u25b7\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/kontakt\/\">Get in touch with us<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h6 class=\"modern-footnotes-list-heading modern-footnotes-list-heading--show-only-for-print\">Fu\u00dfnoten<\/h6><ul class=\"modern-footnotes-list modern-footnotes-list--show-only-for-print\"><li><span>1<\/span><div>Example<\/div><\/li><li><span>2<\/span><div>You can find more information <a href=\"https:\/\/handbookgermany.de\/en\/german-courses\">here<\/a>.<\/div><\/li><li><span>3<\/span><div> See Step 5. You can find more information at <a href=\"https:\/\/handbookgermany.de\/en\/german-courses#faq_1198\">Handbook Germany<\/a>. <\/div><\/li><li><span>4<\/span><div>With a &#8220;Ermessensduldung&#8221;\/ discretionary tolerated stay permit (\u00a760a AufenthG), &#8220;Ausbildungsduldung&#8221;\/tolerated stay for the purpose of vocational training (\u00a760c AufenthG) or a &#8220;Besch\u00e4ftigungsduldung&#8221;\/ tolerated stay permit for work (\u00a760d AufenthG)<\/div><\/li><li><span>5<\/span><div> See steps 4 and 5. <\/div><\/li><li><span>6<\/span><div>For that, you have to pass the final exam within 2 years and submit an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bamf.de\/SharedDocs\/Anlagen\/DE\/Integration\/Integrationskurse\/Kursteilnehmer\/AntraegeAlle\/630-031_antrag-rueckerstattung-kostenbeitrag_pdf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&amp;v=20\">application<\/a>.<\/div><\/li><li><span>7<\/span><div>You can use Google, the <a href=\"https:\/\/bamf-navi.bamf.de\/en\/Themen\/Integrationskurse\/\">search function of the BAMF<\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.arbeitsagentur.de\/sprachfoerderung\/suche\/sonstige-kurse\">employment agency<\/a>, for example<\/div><\/li><li><span>8<\/span><div>If you have a residence permit with an online function, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/verwaltung.bund.de\/leistungsverzeichnis\/DE\/leistung\/99011002007000\/herausgeber\/LeiKa-574959\/region\/00\">submit the application online<\/a>.<\/div><\/li><li><span>9<\/span><div>The regulation applies to everyone who receives asylum seeker benefits, B\u00fcrgergeld (&#8220;<span lang=\"EN-US\">Citizen\u2019s Allowance&#8221;<\/span>) or social assistance (Sozialhilfe).<\/div><\/li><li><span>10<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bamf.de\/SharedDocs\/Anlagen\/DE\/Integration\/Integrationskurse\/Kursteilnehmer\/AntraegeAlle\/630-032_antrag-fahrtkostenzuschusserstattung_pdf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&amp;v=12\">This form<\/a> must be sent to the BAMF.<\/div><\/li><li><span>11<\/span><div> Once you have registered, you have one year to complete the course. After that, the certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) is no longer valid.<\/div><\/li><li><span>12<\/span><div>You can ask for help at a <a href=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/beratungsstelle\/\">local counseling center<\/a>.<\/div><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u25b7 See all step-by-step guides. Find out in 7 steps how to take an integration course. A quick overview:\u00a0 Check whether you can take an integration course. Search for a school. Contact the school by email, phone or in person. Check whether the integration course is free of charge for you. Register for the course. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1422","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How can I find an integration course? - LIFE Initiative<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/life-initiative.org\/en\/integrationskurs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How can I find an integration course? - LIFE Initiative\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u25b7 See all step-by-step guides. 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