Applying for an extension of a residence permit on urgent humanitarian or personal grounds
Service description
An extension of the residence permit beyond the initial six-month period is not permitted if, at the time the residence permit was first issued, you had not yet been lawfully resident in Germany for at least 18 months.
If you have been lawfully resident in Germany for at least 18 months, it is possible to extend your residence permit, which is initially valid for six months. The same conditions must be met as for the initial grant of the residence permit.
However, an extension of the residence permit is only permitted if the intention is to stay for a limited period. If you intend to stay permanently or for an indefinite period within Germany, an extension of the residence permit cannot be granted.
You must ensure, as a matter of urgency, that you submit an application for the extension of your residence permit or for the issue of a different residence permit before your current permit expires. If the application is submitted in good time, i.e. before the expiry date, your continued stay is deemed to be authorised until the Foreigners’ Registration Office has reached a decision, with all the consequences that this entails (e.g. entitlement to social security benefits). Submitting an application late (after the expiry of the period specified in the residence permit) may result in significant legal disadvantages. Your continued stay would then be unauthorised. You would then be required to leave the country.
Procedure
As a rule, you must apply in person to your local immigration office to extend your residence permit – well in advance of its expiry date.
Arrange an appointment with your local immigration office. You can also find out about the application process and which documents you need to submit and in what form on the relevant immigration authority website.
If you have submitted an application for an extension in good time (before your residence permit expires), your current stay is deemed to be authorised until the Immigration Authority has reached a decision.
If your application is approved, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will instruct the Federal Printing Office to issue the electronic residence permit (eAT) with a new expiry date
For information on how long the procedure takes until the residence permit is issued, please contact the relevant immigration authority
Who should I contact?
Contact the foreigners authority.
Prerequisites
- The residence permit will be renewed provided that the conditions which must be met when it is first granted continue to be met.
- Existence of an application for an extension
- There must be no grounds for refusal.
Which documents are required?
- current biometric photo
- previous residence permit
What fees are incurred?
A fee of 96 euros is payable for the extension of a residence permit for up to three months (48 euros for minors). A fee of 93 euros is payable for the extension of a residence permit for more than three months (46.50 euros for minors).
Exemption from charges for recipients of social security benefits
What deadlines do I have to observe?
Apply to your local immigration office to renew your residence permit well in advance of its expiry date. Please contact your local immigration office for further information.
Processing time
When you apply for an extension, the relevant immigration authority will usually inform you of the duration of the procedure (approximately 6 to 8 weeks).
Please note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit
Legal basis
Section 8(1) of the Residence Act
Section 12 of the Residence Act
Section 25(4), first sentence, of the Residence Act
§ Section 26 Residence Act
Section 45 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)
Section 50 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)
Section 53 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)
Section 1 of the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG)
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
Obtain this from your local immigration office
Personal appearance required: yes
What else should I know?
If you intend to stay in Germany on a permanent basis, extending your temporary residence permit is not an option.
Author
Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal- Residence permit on grounds of international law, humanitarian or political reasons; extension on urgent humanitarian or personal grounds in Saxony-Anhalt
Display of performance in the source portal
- Residence permit on grounds of international law, humanitarian or political reasons; extension on urgent humanitarian or personal grounds in Saxony-Anhalt