Only a few months ago, she was still on her university campus in Germany, aiming to find an internship opportunity in China that could help her gain real experience in the Sino-German business community. While researching online, she came across the German Internship Program introduced by AHK Greater China and decided to reach out to the visa services team for more information.
From Germany to China — Matching Talent and Visa Support
When Mr. GONG Ni, Head of the Visa Services Department at AHK Greater China, received her email, he recommended that Valeria has a look at the Sino-German career platform DE Talents to find suitable openings.
Soon, she found a position at a German company in Shanghai that matched her profile perfectly. The visa service team connected her directly with the company’s HR team, confirmed the internship details, and helped both sides sign the agreement. After that, the visa services team assisted her with the document verification, issued the Internship Confirmation Letter, and handled the application for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit.
A few weeks later, Valeria obtained her Z Visa in Germany and boarded her flight to China.
Today, she works from the company’s Shanghai office, supporting legal and tax services and gaining practical experience in an international business environment.
About the German Internship Program
The German Internship Program is a youth exchange initiative jointly established by the German and Chinese governments. Its goal is to create practical, international internship opportunities for young people from both countries — offering them a chance to experience professional life abroad, build cross-cultural communication skills, and strengthen bilateral cooperation between China and Germany.
The program targets German citizens aged 18 to 35 who are currently enrolled in higher education or vocational training, or who have graduated from a German institution within the past twelve months. Most participants have completed at least four semesters of studies and wish to apply their academic knowledge in a related internship field.
AHK Greater China plays a key bridging role. On one hand, we connect Chinese companies and German businesses operating in China with qualified German candidates through our DE Talents platform, ensuring that job opportunities reach the right audience in Germany. On the other hand, we provide comprehensive onboarding assistance — from document verification and issuing the Internship Confirmation Letter to the application for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit and Z Visa — so that interns can start their placements in China smoothly and on time.
For companies, this is more than a recruitment channel; it is an opportunity to foster international collaboration and prepare for future talent needs. Working with German interns helps businesses gain valuable experience in managing multicultural teams and better understand regulations relating to foreign employees in China, including family accompaniment visa policies, which are relevant for long-term workforce planning.
Impact and Results
Internships provide young professionals with firsthand experience on the ground and help companies tap into future global talent.
In 2024, AHK Greater China issued 44 Internship Confirmation Letters, successfully placing German interns in Chinese and German companies across the country. More than 60 corporate partners took part, spanning 15 cities, with Shanghai and Beijing being the top locations.
For 2025, the visa service team expect to exceed 50 internship placements, with even more cross-border success stories to come.
Be the Start of the Next Career Story
Whether you are a German company operating in China or a Chinese company planning to expand internationally, AHK Greater China help you build your international talent network efficiently and professionally:
- Publish your internship vacancies on the DE Talents platform to reach qualified students and graduates directly in Germany.
- Receive full assistance from recruitment to visa procedures — including Notification Letters of Foreigner’s Work Permits and Residence Permits.
- Get expert guidance on visa policies for foreign employees, ensuring your international team can start strong from day one.
Valeria’s story is only one example. The next German intern could soon be stepping into your company — are you ready to contribute to your cross-border growth and cultural exchange?
