An integration course consists of two parts: a German language course with 600 lessons, leading up to level B1, and an orientation course with 100 lessons. One lesson lasts 45 minutes. The orientation course provides information about the legal system, history, culture and social system of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Integration courses are always intensive courses and are offered in the mornings, afternoons or evenings. The number of hours of integration courses can be extended for special target groups. This is the case for women's courses with childcare, youth courses and literacy courses.

The language course concludes with the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ). Those who pass it receive the German certificate, which corresponds to language level B1. The orientation course ends with the "Living in Germany" exam and a corresponding certificate. Both certificates are also important later on and are required, for example, as proof for the Immigration Office.

The general integration course comprises 700 lessons. This corresponds to seven course sections of 100 lessons each (lesson = 45 minutes). Six of these are purely German courses with the aim of reaching B1 level.

If you already have some knowledge of German, a placement test will determine whether you can start directly in a higher course section. In this case, the total number of lessons in the German course will be reduced in stages.

The German course is followed by 100 hours of "Orientation course". In the orientation course, you will receive a lot of information about your new home country and life in Germany. It is a compulsory part of the integration course.

Integration courses are always intensive courses, which is why you can learn the German language quite quickly. If you take part in the entire integration course, you should expect the course to last eight to nine months. Special courses with additional course sections for women, young people or literacy courses take a few months longer.

The state subsidy results in a reduced price. It amounts to 2.29 euros for each lesson of the integration course (one lesson lasts 45 minutes). This is the regular fee. A general integration course comprises 700 lessons. Normally, you pay a partial amount per course section to the language school you have chosen. Since a course section consists of 100 lessons, the corresponding partial amount is 229 euros. If you attend a special course with more lessons, the total costs will also be higher. This is the case, for example, with a literacy course or a course with childcare.

Integration courses are open to various groups of people. Whether a foreign citizen is obliged or entitled to take part in an integration course depends, among other things, on their residence status and existing language skills:

• Foreign nationals who receive a residence permit or settlement permit for the first time are entitled to an integration course (language and orientation course).
• Persons who only have limited language skills and for this reason receive a request to attend an integration course from the immigration office, the job center or the social welfare office may also be obliged to attend.
• Persons who are not legally entitled to participate, for example EU citizens and their spouses, can submit their own application for admission to an integration course.

Naturalized citizens and German nationals without sufficient knowledge of German can also apply for admission to an integration course.

Has the Immigration Office of the City of Bonn obliged you to attend an integration course? Then please make an appointment at the International Meeting Center. Please bring the following documents with you to the appointment:

• Passport or identity card from the Foreigners' Registration Office (residence permit),
• if applicable, notification of benefits according to SGB II (unemployment benefit II) or notification of Bonn identity card/housing benefit/child benefit supplement.

At the International Meeting Center you will receive all the essential information about the integration course and the addresses of the recognized language schools (integration course providers) in Bonn. In addition, the so-called certificate of eligibility is issued there. This document is required to register for an integration course at a language school.

In principle, a certificate of eligibility for the integration course is valid throughout Germany. This means that you can also attend a course at a course provider in Bonn if you have received the certificate of eligibility elsewhere.

If you have any questions about this, you should contact the International Meeting Center for advice. You must also do this if you have moved to Bonn and are legally obliged to attend the integration course. You can also obtain further information about the integration course at the  International Meeting Center (opens in a new tab).

Would you like to take part in an integration course without obligation? If so, as an EU citizen or German national you can apply to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) for admission to an integration course.

Even if you have been living in Germany for some time with a settlement permit and have not yet taken part in an integration course, you can submit this application. This option may also be available to other persons with a residence permit (e.g. holders of a Blue Card) and must be examined on a case-by-case basis.

The BAMF has published an information sheet on applying for admission to an integration course on its website. It is available in over thirty languages. The application form can also be downloaded from the BAMF website, in two versions (application for foreigners/application for Germans). You can find the forms here:

If you are resident in Bonn, please send your application directly to the responsible regional office of the BAMF in Cologne:

Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
Regional Office Cologne
Poller Kirchweg 101
51105 Cologne

Do you need help with your application or do you have further questions? Then please contact the  International Meeting Center. You should bring the following documents with you to the appointment:

• Passport or identity card
• Possibly notification of benefits according to SGB II (unemployment benefit II) or notification of Bonn ID card/housing benefit/child benefit supplement
• registration certificate

This depends on your previous knowledge. As with other language courses, you do not necessarily have to start with a beginner's course for the integration course. If you already have some knowledge of German, a placement test will determine whether you can enter a higher course section directly. In this case, the total number of hours of the German course will be reduced section by section.

Do you already have German language skills at level B1 or even higher? Then you should present your language certificate when you come to the International Meeting Center.

They can then check whether you can be exempted from attending the language course. Participation in the orientation course (100 lessons) remains unaffected by this.

The integration course should not be interrupted and if you are obliged to attend, interrupting the course may have legal consequences. Furthermore, interrupting the course can hinder your learning progress and jeopardize the successful completion of the course.

Nevertheless, situations may arise in which course participation must be interrupted. Reasons may include prolonged illness, necessary operations, maternity leave or moving to another city. If a break is unavoidable, it is best to interrupt the integration course between two course sections. In this case, please inform the course provider in good time! They will also be able to tell you how and when the course can be continued.

Have you been obliged to attend the integration course by the Immigration Office of the City of Bonn? Then you must inform the International Meeting Center about the interruption of the course and provide sufficient evidence of the reason for the interruption! Please also inform the International Meeting Center if you continue the interrupted integration course. You will also have to prove this there.

Please contact the  International Meeting Center if you have any problems or questions on this subject. In most cases, a legally acceptable solution can be found.

The municipal advice center for integration courses is located in the International Meeting Center. Here you can also obtain the addresses of the language schools that offer these courses. In Bonn, the International Meeting Center acts as an intermediary between the Foreigners' Registration Office, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), the Job Center and local course providers. It ensures that the process that precedes participation in an integration course runs smoothly.

The Coordination Office International Meeting Center takes over

• after the foreigners authority has issued a residence permit for new immigrants,
• at the request of the social welfare office (only for asylum seekers),
• if they are interested in attending an integration course

basically the following tasks:

• Checking whether an authorization or obligation can be issued or whether participation in an integration course is possible,
• Issuing an authorization or obligation (certificate of eligibility),
• Help with applying for cost exemption (this is mandatory for SGB II recipients) and with admission to an integration course in accordance with § 44 Para. 4 Residence Act,
• Information about integration courses (BAMF information sheet), about course providers and their offers as well as about other offers for new immigrants,
• Monitoring participation in the integration course,
• Advice on social problems, e.g. if participation is prevented, course changes or problems with course providers,
• Checking the requirements for exemption from compulsory participation in the integration course.

The International Meeting Center (IB) is part of the Office for Children, Youth and Family. Although no integration courses for adults take place here, it does offer German courses and learning support for children and young people. Conversation courses for immigrant women are also offered.