The AVGS voucher (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein) allows eligible job seekers in Germany to receive professional career coaching completely free of charge. If you are registered with the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter.

Key Takeaways

  • AVGS-funded job coaching is free for eligible job seekers in Germany.
  • International professionals often qualify for an AVGS voucher.
  • Registration with the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter is required.
  • Your case worker decides whether the voucher is granted.
  • FAJIG supports you throughout the entire application process.
  • Coaching includes CV improvement, job search strategizing, and interview training.
  • The goal is successful integration into the German job market.

The AVGS voucher (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein) allows eligible job seekers in Germany to receive professional career coaching completely free of charge. If you are registered with the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter, you may qualify for government-funded one-on-one coaching that helps you improve your CV, optimize your job search strategy, prepare for interviews, and secure a job in Germany. The logic behind this is to have more job-seekers turn into tax-paying employees.

For international professionals, the process can seem confusing at first. The good news is that obtaining an AVGS voucher is usually much simpler than people expect. Here is what you need to know about qualifying for an AVGS voucher, applying for one, and accessing free English-speaking job coaching in Germany.

What Is an AVGS Voucher?

AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein. It is a government-funded measure designed to help job seekers return to the labor market by providing access to professional coaching and job-seeking support.

The German Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and Jobcenter can issue AVGS vouchers to eligible candidates. Once approved, the voucher covers the costs of an accredited coaching provider.

At Find a Job in Germany (FAJIG), we are a certified and publicly accredited educational provider under German law. This means eligible job seekers can participate in our coaching program without paying coaching fees if they are given such a voucher.

Our coaching is conducted in English and, where necessary, in German and focuses on helping international professionals successfully navigate the German labor market. We work with candidates from Tech & IT, Engineering, Finance, Business, and many other professional backgrounds.

Step 1: Check Whether You Qualify

The first question is simple: Are you eligible for an AVGS voucher?

In most cases, you qualify if you belong to one of the following groups:

  • Citizens of an EU member state
  • Citizens of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein
  • Holders of a German settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
  • Holders of residence permits that allow employment in Germany, such as the EU Blue Card
  • Family members of Blue Card holders with permission to work in Germany
  • Graduates of German universities who meet certain eligibility requirements

Importantly, you do not need to have worked in Germany before. Many international professionals qualify shortly after arriving in Germany.

We have also seen Opportunity Card holders receive AVGS vouchers in individual cases. However, these approvals remain the exception rather than the rule.

If one of the categories above applies to you, there is a good chance that you qualify for an AVGS voucher.

Step 2: Register as Job-Seeking or Unemployed

The next step is to register with either the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter.

Many internationals feel uncomfortable about this step at first. In Germany, however, registering as unemployed is a completely normal administrative process. It is part of the social welfare system and carries no negative stigma.

Which institution is responsible for you depends on your personal situation.

Generally speaking, the Agentur für Arbeit is responsible for people who have already worked in Germany and paid into the unemployment insurance system. Most of our AVGS coaching participants come through the Agentur für Arbeit.

The Jobcenter is often responsible for recent graduates, refugees, long-term unemployed individuals, or people who have not yet accumulated sufficient social insurance contributions.

If you are unsure where to register, start with the Agentur für Arbeit. They will guide you to the correct institution if necessary.

You can usually complete the registration online or visit your local office in person. Make sure to bring:

  • Passport or ID card
  • Registration certificate (Anmeldung)
  • Residence permit or visa documentation, if applicable

Once registered, you will receive access to your online account and can proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Schedule a Meeting With Your Case Worker

Your AVGS voucher is ultimately approved by your case worker.

This is an important point to understand. FAJIG cannot approve a voucher and has no influence over the decision-making process. The decision is made exclusively by your case worker at the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter.

Your task is therefore to explain to them why professional job coaching would improve your chances of finding employment.

When speaking with your case worker, be prepared to discuss:

  • Your current job search situation
  • Challenges you are facing
  • Why coaching support would help you overcome these challenges
  • How coaching would support your integration into the German labor market

You can usually arrange an appointment through your online account, by submitting an AVGS request through the agency's portal, or by contacting your existing case worker directly via email.

The clearer you explain your situation and goals, the easier it is for your case worker to understand the value of professional coaching.

Step 4: Book Your Free Consultation With FAJIG

Before your appointment with the employment agency, we strongly recommend booking a free introductory call with us.

This conversation allows us to understand your situation and explain how the coaching process works.

During the call we will:

  • Review your current circumstances
  • Clarify eligibility questions
  • Explain the coaching structure
  • Guide you through the AVGS process
  • Outline the next steps

Afterwards, we provide you with information about our coaching program that you can bring to your appointment with your case worker.

This makes it easier for them to understand exactly which coaching program you would like to attend and how it supports your job search goals.

If you already have a voucher in hand, you should still schedule a call with us. We can review the voucher and confirm whether it is suitable for our coaching program.

Step 5: Request Your AVGS Voucher

When you meet your case worker, discuss the possibility of professional job coaching right away.

You should specifically request an AVGS voucher for job coaching that supports your integration into the labor market.

Ideally, the voucher should be issued for:

  • Part-time coaching (Teilzeit-Coaching)
  • Online coaching
  • Job market integration and employment support

The maximum coaching volume we can provide is 36 coaching units, which corresponds to 18 individual one-on-one coaching sessions.

However, it is common for case workers to approve fewer hours. For example, they may issue a voucher for 20 hours instead of 36. That is perfectly fine and still allows us to provide meaningful support.

Once approved, you will usually receive the voucher by mail. We then assist you with the remaining paperwork and coordinate the onboarding process.

After all approvals have been completed, you will be assigned a personal coach and your coaching can begin.

What Happens During the Coaching?

Our AVGS coaching is specifically designed for international professionals who want to build a successful career in Germany.

The exact duration depends on the number of coaching hours approved by your case worker. Regardless of the number of sessions, our objective remains the same: helping you get hired.

Career Positioning and CV Optimization

We begin by reviewing your professional background, defining realistic career goals, and identifying suitable target roles.

Together, we develop a clear job search strategy and optimize your CV according to German hiring standards. This is not a simple CV review. It is a comprehensive positioning exercise that aligns your experience with market demand.

Application Strategy and Job Search

The next phase focuses on understanding the German job market.

You learn where to find opportunities, how to approach employers, how to write effective cover letters, and how to communicate professionally throughout the application process.

We also cover networking strategies, intercultural communication, and practical methods for reaching hiring managers and decision-makers directly.

Interview Preparation

Once interviews start coming in, we focus heavily on interview preparation.

We conduct extensive interview simulations covering:

  • HR interviews
  • Technical interviews
  • Behavioral questions
  • Salary negotiations
  • Professional communication

Many candidates discover that interviews become significantly easier once they understand what German employers are actually looking for and how to communicate their value effectively.

Why International Professionals Benefit From AVGS Coaching

Many highly qualified professionals struggle in the German labor market not because they lack skills, but because they are unfamiliar with local expectations.

The German job market has its own hiring culture, application standards, communication style, and recruiting practices.

Professional coaching helps you:

  • Improve your CV and application documents
  • Understand German employer expectations
  • Build a focused job search strategy
  • Avoid common mistakes
  • Prepare confidently for interviews
  • Navigate cultural differences

Most importantly, coaching provides structure, clarity, and accountability during what can otherwise become a frustrating and overwhelming job search process.

Final Thoughts

Many international professionals living in Germany do not realize that professional career coaching may be available completely free of charge through the AVGS program.

If you are registered with the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter and actively looking for work, it is worth exploring whether you qualify. The process is often much simpler than people expect, and the support can significantly improve your chances of finding the right role.

The German job market has its own rules, expectations, and hiring culture. You do not have to figure them out alone.

If you would like to find out whether you qualify for an AVGS voucher and how our English-speaking coaching can support your job search, book a free get2know call with us today. We look forward to meeting you.

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