Applying for an extension of a residence permit to sit an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If you can only submit your application in person, please book an appointment at the Immigration Office. If you submit your application online, the Immigration Office will contact you once your application has been received to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably in the original).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken so that your residence permit can be issued in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office commissions the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. Once it has been produced, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. As a general rule, the eAT card must be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Immigration office

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit. This means

• You wish to remain in Germany in order to complete an assessment procedure aimed at securing full recognition of your foreign professional qualification.
• You are able to cover your living expenses and health insurance cover for the remainder of your stay from your own resources without having to rely on state benefits.
• You must have language skills commensurate with the examination to be taken, and at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. An exception applies if the acquisition of language skills is the subject of the examination to be taken.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In principle, renewing your residence permit requires you to submit the same documents as when it was first issued:

• Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Evidence of means of support (for example, from personal assets, a security deposit paid into a blocked account, a bank guarantee, a declaration of commitment, a scholarship, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental allowance or child benefit, evidence of the parents’ income, or similar)
• Proof of health insurance cover (for example, a confirmation of cover from your health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• In the case of minors: Consent from all persons with parental responsibility for the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with parental responsibility are unable to submit the application jointly on behalf of their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if parental responsibility rests with only one parent, that parent’s signature is sufficient

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the foreigners authority may require less or further evidence.

You may need to provide the Immigration Authority with further proof of your language skills if the acquisition of those skills is not part of your examination.

• Section 45(2) of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• Section 16d(4) of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Federal Territory (Residence Act – AufenthG)
• Section 7 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 8 (1) Residence Act (AufenthG)

• 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

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

• The term ‘examination’ covers examinations required to establish the equivalence of a foreign vocational qualification with a domestic vocational qualification. This includes language and technical language examinations. In principle, candidates may also be required to sit several examinations.
• There is no automatic entitlement to a residence permit. It is at the discretion of the Immigration Authority whether to grant a residence permit.
• The residence permit issued for the purposes of the examination procedure does not entitle the holder to take up gainful employment.
• The procedure at the Foreigners' Registration Office is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Immigration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to the person concerned. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the cancellation of residence rights that have already been granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.