Integration Courses
Save for a few exceptions, refugees and migrants with a residence or settlement permit can be admitted to an integration course on the strength of § 44 subs. 4 Residence Act (AufenthG). As of December 2007, a revision of the integration course ordnance has come into effect which all information given below is based upon.
Eligible for an integration course are aliens living lawfully and permanently in Germany, citizens of member states of the European Union and German nationals with an immigrant background who have a specific need for support. Admission to an integration course is managed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge, BAMF). People interested may contact their local language course provider who will forward the application for admission to BAMF. Furthermore, the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, ARGE) or your local Job Agency can commit you to attend an integration course via BAMF if need arises.
Integration courses consist of general language classes (max. 600 hours) and an additional 45 hours of orientation classes conveying knowledge about German everyday life, legal system, culture and history. A German language examination and an orientation test will conclude the integration course. Positive outcome is honored with a certificate. In case of failing the test you may take another 300 hours of advanced class. Having joined the first 600 hours of basic and advanced class on a regular basis is prerequisite, though.
To get an unrestricted entitlement to stay in Germany (permanent settlement permit in accordance with § 9 Residence Act) citizens from countries outside the European Union must account for sufficient language abilities as well as basic knowledge of the legal and social system, living conditions in Germany etc. This requisite is met by passing the integration course exams.
Fees: Your own share is one Euro per lesson, to be paid to the course provider. If you are on restricted unemployment pay (Arbeitslosengeld II) or on welfare (Sozialhilfe) the course is for free. Exemption from fees for courses and final exam has to be applied for in writing with BAMF. Job agency or aliens’ authority may commit you to attend an integration course in which case you are free of course fees and travel expenses.
If you do not attend the course on a regular basis your restricted unemployment pay may be curtailed or extending your residence permit may get difficult. If, on the other hand, you pass the integration course’s final exams the minimum period for your naturalization will be shortened from 8 to 7 years.
Integration courses in Schleswig-Holstein can be found www.access-frsh.de Information is also available with your local www.access-frsh.de/migrationssozialberatung The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has its own www.bamf.de with more useful information. What’s more, BAMF has issued a www.access-frsh.de/fileadmin/access/pdf/BAMF-infoblatt-071207-intv-neu-teilnehmer.pdf containing all about integration courses in a nutshell. Further information is also available www.integration-in-deutschland.de
