Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the spouse to join foreigners

The extension of your residence permit must be applied for at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence.

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic applications for residence permits.
• If the application can only be made in person, arrange an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (please bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the issuing of the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the eAT to be issued.
• If your application is granted, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT to be issued.
• After about six to eight weeks you can collect the eAT from the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Fees are charged for the extension of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority

Contact the foreigners authority.

• You have a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute and a valid residence permit for family reunification in accordance with Sections 29 and 30 of the Residence Act.
• Your residence permit will expire in the near future.
• Your spouse or partner is in possession of a valid residence permit.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Their livelihood is secure.
• There is enough living space for the whole family.

• Passport or passport replacement
• Current biometric photo
• Existing residence permit
• Proof of livelihood
• Proof of your health insurance
• Rental agreement
• If you are obliged to attend an integration course: certificate of successful participation in the integration course or other proof of integration efforts

§ Section 8 (1) in conjunction with. § Section 30 AufenthG

• § 29 Residence Act:

• Forms: You can obtain authority-specific forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online.
• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Personal appearance required: yes

• You can also obtain free advice on the topics of entry, residence and employment from the "Working and Living in Germany Hotline" of the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.

Phone: 030 1815-1111

Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00

• Residence permit for family reasons Extension for spouse to join foreign nationals
• The residence permit for the person joining you can be extended if its period of validity expires in the near future and the marital cohabitation/ civil partnership continues.
• The residence permit for the person joining the family member will be extended for the duration of the family member's residence permit in Germany.
• In principle, the same conditions apply for the extension of the residence permit as for its issue.
• The extension must be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiry date.
• The extension is excluded if the extension was already excluded by the foreigners authority when the permit was issued or when it was last extended.
• If the obligation to attend an integration course was stated when the residence permit was issued, proof must be provided that the obligation has been fulfilled. If the integration course has not yet been completed, the foreigners authority may refuse to extend the residence permit or only extend it for one year until the course has been successfully completed or proof has been provided that integration into social life has taken place in another way.
• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, you can apply online or in person.
• Fees are charged for the extension. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• Residence permit for family reasons Extension for spouse to join foreigners in Saxony-Anhalt

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