Residence permit for the purpose of employment in the public interest: applying for an extension
Service description
A residence permit to take up employment in a role that is in the public interest – in particular, a regional, economic or labour market interest – is granted for a fixed period. It may be extended if the employment is to continue beyond the period of validity of your residence permit.
Apply to the Foreigners’ Registration Office responsible for your place of residence to extend your residence permit no later than eight weeks before it expires.
The same conditions apply to renewal as to the initial grant. In particular, there should continue to be a public interest in your employment. A public interest in the employment may be justified, for example,
- where there is a regional or supra-regional public interest in an employer’s products or services, or where there is a shortage of certain goods or services at the employer’s location (regional interests). Reasons relating to public supply or local government policy may also play a role in this context.
- where substantial investment is made and/or a significant number of jobs are created or safeguarded; where the establishment of the business is associated with a sustainable improvement in the sales or market prospects of domestic companies, or where it involves the establishment of a manufacturing facility for technically advanced (future-proof) and/or particularly environmentally friendly products (economic interests).
- if the employment helps to preserve or create jobs (labour market policy considerations).
An employer’s private, business-related interest alone is not sufficient to establish a public interest in the employment.
Your qualifications are not a determining factor when it comes to extending your residence permit.
The Federal Employment Agency gave its approval when your residence permit was first issued. If the approval has expired, it must be renewed in order for your residence permit to be extended.
You may have been required to attend an integration course when your residence permit was first granted. If this is the case, it must be taken into account when renewing your residence permit. If you have not yet attended an integration course, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may reject your application to renew your residence permit. If you have not yet completed the integration course, your residence permit will generally only be extended for one year at a time until you have successfully completed the course or provided evidence that you have otherwise integrated into social and community life.
In the event of an extension, your residence permit will once again be granted for a fixed period. The duration of this fixed period will depend on the duration of your employment contract or the period of validity of the approval granted by the Federal Employment Agency.
As a rule, the residence permit cannot be extended if this was already ruled out when the residence permit was issued or last extended.
Procedure
You must apply to extend your residence permit at the Foreigners’ Registration Office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:
- 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 applications can only be made in person, please arrange an appointment with the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
- During your appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be checked (please bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of your electronic residence permit (eAT card).
- If you submit your application electronically, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you once your application has been received to arrange an appointment at the office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring these with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of your electronic residence permit (eAT card).
- If your application is approved, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be issued.
- After around six to eight weeks, you can collect your eAT card from the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
- The eAT card must, as a rule, be collected in person.
- Fees are charged for the extension of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority
Who should I contact?
The immigration authority responsible for the applicant’s place of residence
Prerequisites
- You hold a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute, as well as a valid residence permit to carry out work in the public interest.
- Your residence permit will expire in the near future.
- There is no interest in deporting you.
- Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You have a new employment contract or a new binding job offer from the same or a different employer.
- There continues to be a public interest in your employment, particularly in terms of the regional economy or labour market policy.
- You can continue to support yourself and maintain your health insurance cover independently, without having to rely on state benefits.
- Approval from the Federal Employment Agency to take up employment has been granted or renewed (this approval is usually obtained by the Immigration Authority). For approval to be granted, your terms and conditions of employment (in particular your salary) must, amongst other things, be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.
Which documents are required?
- Valid passport
- Current residence permit
- The original copy of your employment contract or a binding job offer (please use the standard national form ‘Declaration of Employment’ for this purpose)
- Current biometric photo
- Current registration certificate
- Proof of your health insurance
- Rental agreement
What fees are incurred?
Extension of a residence permit:
- for a further stay of up to three months: EUR
96 - for a further stay of more than three months: EUR
93
Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be possible.
Please note: The residence permit in the form of an electronic residence card must be reissued for the renewal. The fee for reissuing the card is EUR 67.00.
- for a further stay of up to three months: EUR
What deadlines do I have to observe?
- The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid residence permit expires.
- In the event of an extension, the new residence permit will again be issued for a fixed term. Its validity depends on the duration of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
- Objection period: 1 month
Processing time
about six to eight weeks.
Legal basis
Section 8(1) in conjunction with Section 19c(3) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)
Section 19c(3) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)
Section 39(3) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)
Section 35 of the Employment Regulation (BeschV)
Legal remedy
- Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification.
- Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld.
Applications / Forms
- Forms: Declaration of employment (standardised nationwide); further forms specific to individual authorities are available from your Foreigners’ Registration Office; where applicable, these may also be available online
- Online procedure occasionally possible
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: yes
Author
Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal- Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment; extension for the purpose of employment in the public interest in Saxony-Anhalt
Display of performance in the source portal
- Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment; extension for the purpose of employment in the public interest in Saxony-Anhalt