Customer stories

Daria, 30 years old. Relocation through the Federal Volunteer Service program (BFD)

2026-05-13 23:12 Success stories
Job before relocation: Cosmetic doctor with 10 years of experience
German language level: A2
Russian citizenship, application submitted from Germany
First interview one month after starting work with us
Received a placement in the gastroenterology department of a clinic in the city of Passau
The entire process took 5 months
When Daria first came to us for a consultation, she was already attending language courses in Germany. However, financially this was not easy for her — she was looking for a path with minimal expenses but strong opportunities for growth.
We immediately saw that for a doctor with 10 years of experience, there was a much better path. I remember how her eyes lit up when I told her about the BFD volunteer program:
Dasha, what if I told you there’s a way to stay in the country without major investments, and even get promising work at a German clinic? With a full social package!
Honestly, her story touched us deeply: a talented cosmetic doctor who realized she had reached her professional limit in her home country and dreamed of getting her diploma recognized in Germany. Plus, there was a love story involved — her boyfriend lived in Passau, and it was important to find a placement specifically there.
After 15 interviews (yes, Dasha was incredibly active!), she chose the gastroenterology department at the Passau clinic. We successfully changed her language-course visa into a volunteer visa, and here is the result: a one-year contract with funding of € 9,432
+ Paid accommodation, health insurance, meals, and even a travel pass for the entire federal state!
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Today, Dasha lives in a cozy apartment with a garden:
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And recently she passed the B2 German certification exam and is confidently moving toward her goal — recognition of her medical diploma.
This story is especially valuable for those who are already in Germany under another type of visa (except a tourist visa). Many people believe that changing the purpose of stay always requires leaving the country — but that is not true!
The situation:

▪️ Daria was in Germany on a language-course visa, and it was about to expire

▪️ It was necessary to arrange a new residence permit under the Federal Volunteer Service program (BFD) in time

▪️ The main goal was to avoid being forced to return to Russia
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Our actions:

1. We found a suitable volunteer placement at a clinic in advance

2. We prepared the complete package of documents for the Federal Volunteer Service program (BFD):

• Contract with the organization
• Proof of funding
• Housing rental agreement
• Medical insurance
• All necessary agreements with the organization (housing, funding, language courses, vacation time — a full negotiation process to ensure the most comfortable conditions for the client)

3. We submitted the documents to the Foreigners' Office (ABH) before the current visa expired

4. We obtained a temporary residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung) while the documents were being processed

5. We successfully arranged a new residence permit under the BFD volunteer program
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If you also want to learn about your chances of receiving a volunteer placement offer in Germany — ask any questions during a free consultation in our messages (chat)!
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