BAMF Integration Course Application – What Are the Options?
Whether you need to apply for a BAMF integration course depends on your immigration status. Not every immigrant is required to submit an application to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Basically, there are three options:
- You have a legal right to participate in an integration course.
- You are not eligible, but you may submit an application to participate on a voluntary basis.
- You are required by a competent authority to participate in an integration course.
Legal Right to an Integration Course
Under Section 44 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), certain foreign nationals who are permanently residing in Germany are entitled to participate in an integration course once. This entitlement may apply if you are receiving one of the following benefits for the first time: Residence permit
- a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment ( Residence permit ) (Sections 18a through 18d, 18g, 19c, and 21 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)),
- an application for family reunification ( Residence permit ) under Sections 28, 29, 30, 32, 36, and 36a of the Residence Act (AufenthG),
- a residence permit for humanitarian reasons ( Residence permit ) (Section 25, paragraphs 1, 2, and 4a, sentence 3, or Section 25b of the Residence Act (AufenthG)),
- a residence permit as a long-term resident from another EU member state (Section 38a of the Residence Act),
- a " Residence permit " pursuant to Section 23(2) or (4) of the Residence Act (AufenthG).
If you are legally entitled to an integration course, you do not need to submit a BAMF integration course application. You will receive a certificate of eligibility from the responsible State Office for Migration and Refugees ( Foreigners' office). With this, you can register for a course with an approved integration course provider.
Important: You are not automatically entitled to an integration course. You may be ineligible if you already have sufficient German language skills or have minimal integration needs. Children, adolescents, and young adults who are pursuing a school-based or vocational education in Germany are also not entitled to an integration course.
In addition, the legal entitlement is time-limited: It expires one year after the residence permit is issued or if the grounds for residence ( Residence permit ) no longer apply.
When is the integration course mandatory?
In certain cases, participation in an integration course is not voluntary but mandatory. Section 44a of the Residence Act (AufenthG) sets forth the circumstances under which such an obligation applies.
Participation may be mandatory, for example, if you have a legal right to a residence permit but are not yet able to communicate in German at a basic level. For certain residence permits, participation may also be mandatory if you do not yet have sufficient German language skills at the time the permit is issued. This applies to the “ Residence permit ” (German as a Second Language) program pursuant to Section 23(2), Section 28(1), first sentence, item 1, Section 30, and Section 36a(1), first sentence, alternative 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG).
Foreigners' office may also require you to participate if you have special integration needs.
If you receive benefits under SGB II (citizen’s income or basic income support), the authorities may also require you to participate in an integration course. The same applies to individuals who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
Important: If you are required to participate in an integration course, you must comply with this requirement. If you fail to attend the integration course without a valid reason, it may have a negative impact on your case.
Who is eligible to apply for a BAMF integration course?
If you are not legally entitled to an integration course, you may still participate on a voluntary basis—under certain conditions. To do so, you need approval from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and must submit a BAMF integration course application.
Under Section 44(4) of the Residence Act (AufenthG), the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) may admit you to the program if there are enough spots available. In making this decision, the BAMF takes into account the extent of your need for integration.
Since the end of July 2026, new priorities have been in effect: Priority is given to individuals with a “Residence permit ” ( right to residence) under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). German nationals and EU citizens whose knowledge of German is insufficient to take up employment or begin vocational training, as well as their family members, are also more likely to be granted admission.
Asylum seekers whose cases are still pending and individuals with a “ Tolerance permit ” ( temporary residence permit) currently have fewer opportunities to enroll in an integration course. Their admission depends on available course spots and funding.
You can submit your application for the BAMF integration course directly to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees or to an approved integration course provider. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of admission, which confirms that you are authorized to participate in an integration course. The letter of admission is generally valid for one year.
Applying for a BAMF Integration Course: Step by Step
If you are not legally entitled to an integration course, you can apply to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) for permission to participate on a voluntary basis.
You can submit your application for the BAMF integration course online via the federal portal. An approved integration course provider (i.e., the language school or the provider of the integration courses) can also submit the application on your behalf.
But what is the best way to proceed if you want to apply for a BAMF integration course?
Step 1: Check your eligibility
First, you should determine on what basis you are eligible to participate in an integration course. There are the three options mentioned earlier: legal entitlement, admission, or obligation.
If you are legally entitled to participate, you will receive your authorization to participate from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees ( Foreigners' office). In this case, you do not need to submit an additional application for admission to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
If you are not legally entitled to participate but would still like to take a voluntary integration course, you can submit a BAMF integration course application.
If, on the other hand, you are required to participate in an integration course, you will also receive the appropriate documentation from the authorities. In this case as well, no additional application for admission to the BAMF is required.
Step 2: Submit your application online
You can submit your application for admission online. The BAMF provides the form“Application for Admission to an Integration Course”for this purpose. There, you can fill out and submit the BAMF integration course application directly online. Alternatively, you can fill out the application online, print it out, and mail it to the BAMF.
To submit the online application, you need a BundID account.
Step 3: Gather the necessary documents
The documents you need to apply for the BAMF integration course depend on your individual situation. Generally, you must submit proof of your residency status. This could be one of the following documents, for example:
- Residence permit,
- Your temporary residence permit,
- Tolerance permit,
- Your passport or national ID card as an EU citizen, or
- Your ID card or passport as a German citizen
If you also wish to apply for a fee waiver, you will need to provide additional documentation. Depending on your situation, this may include, for example:
- Proof of benefits under SGB II (basic income support) or SGB III (unemployment benefits)
- Proof of benefits under SGB XII (living expenses)
- Pay stubs and/or your employment contract
- if applicable, medical certificates or other documents proving a special financial burden
Always use the most recent BAMF form and follow the instructions provided there.
Step 4: Submit your application to the BAMF
Once you have filled out the form and gathered all the required supporting documents, you can submit your BAMF integration course application to the BAMF online or by mail.
The easiest way is to submit your application digitally through the federal portal. There, you can fill out the application online, upload the required documents, and send everything electronically to the BAMF.
You are also not required to submit the application yourself. An approved integration course provider can submit the application on your behalf. This can be helpful if you have already found a suitable course provider and need assistance with the application.
Step 5: Wait for the BAMF's decision
Once your application is received, the BAMF will review whether you meet the requirements for participating in an integration course. If your application for a BAMF integration course is approved, you will receive written authorization to participate.
With this certificate, you can register with an integration course provider approved by the BAMF. You can search for a suitable course provider and available integration courses using the BAMF-NAvI.
Also, be sure to check how long the admission is valid. The confirmation of enrollment specifies the latest date by which you must register for a course. Therefore, start looking for a suitable course as early as possible.
Everything You Need to Know About the Integration Course
Once you’ve been accepted into the integration course, there are still a few practical questions to consider: How long is the acceptance valid, how do you find a suitable course provider, and how does the course work?
Here you can find out what you need to keep in mind before the course begins and during the integration course.
How long is the BAMF authorization valid?
Admission to the integration course granted by the BAMF is generally valid for one year (Section 5(3) of the Integration Regulation). Your confirmation letter specifies the date until which you are eligible to participate.
You should register with an approved course provider within this time frame. If possible, don't wait until just before the approval expires. Depending on where you live, it may take some time for a suitable course with available spots to become available.
Find Providers of Integration Courses
You can find a suitable integration course through the BAMF-NAvI . There you’ll find all BAMF-approved course providers and courses in your area.
To search, simply enter your city or ZIP code. You can then view all providers of integration courses and further narrow down your search. There you’ll also find information on the courses offered, available spots, and whether the courses are full-time or part-time.
Once you've found a suitable provider, contact them directly and ask about available spots in their classes
Placement Test Before the Course Begins
Before you begin the integration course, the course provider will administer a placement test. This test assesses your current level of German proficiency and your knowledge of Germany.
If you already have some prior knowledge, you may be able to join a higher-level course section, depending on your test results. The placement test also helps determine whether a specific integration course would be appropriate for you.
How does the integration course work?
A general integration course comprises a total of 700 class periods and consists of a language course and an orientation course.
The language course consists of 600 class sessions. In the course, you will learn German for typical everyday situations, such as work, housing, shopping, or dealing with government agencies. The goal is to reach a B1 level of German proficiency.
This is followed by the orientation course, which consists of 100 class sessions. During the course, you will learn about the German legal system, history, and culture, as well as important rights and obligations, among other topics.
At the end of the language course, you will take the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ). If you pass the language test at the B1 level and the “Life in Germany” test, you will have successfully completed the integration course.
Important to note: You can also use your successfully completed German Test for Immigrants (DTZ) and the “Life in Germany” test later on for Settlement permit and Naturalization use
How much does a BAMF integration course cost?
Participation in an integration course is not completely free. Unless you are exempt from paying the fee, you will have to cover part of the course costs yourself.
The standard tuition fee is 2.29 euros per class period. For a standard course consisting of 700 class periods, the total cost is therefore 1,603 euros.
You generally do not have to pay the entire amount at once. The fees are due in accordance with the individual course sections.
Under certain conditions, you may be exempted from paying the cost-sharing fee. This is possible, in particular, if you receive certain government benefits (e.g., basic income support or social benefits) or if, for other reasons, you cannot reasonably be expected to pay the fee.
Exemption from fees is not automatic. You must submit a separate application to the BAMF to receive it. You can submit this application online—usually along with your BAMF integration course application.
FAQ - The most frequently asked questions about the integration course
An integration course teaches language skills (up to B1) and knowledge about German society, culture and the legal system.
People who are legally entitled to participate in an integration course, have been admitted by the BAMF, or are required by a government agency to participate may enroll in the course.
For example, individuals with residence permits for employment, family reunification, or humanitarian reasons have a legal right to this.
If you need to be admitted to an integration course, submit your application to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Unless you are exempt from the fees, you currently pay 2.29 euros per class session. A general integration course consists of 700 class sessions and therefore costs a total of 1,603 euros.
Under certain conditions, however, you may be exempt from paying the copayment.
You can use BAMF-NAvI to find a suitable course or provider near you. There, you can search by your place of residence and view all the information about course types, locations, and available options.
Once you've found a suitable course, contact the course provider directly to inquire about available spots and the next available start date.
The language course is part of the integration course. The integration course also includes the orientation course.
You can apply for admission to the BAMF or use private language courses and online offers.
