Applying for an extension of a residence permit to seek employment for skilled workers with a university degree

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application 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 to produce the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The foreigners authority orders the production of the eAT card from Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

the immigration authority responsible for the applicant’s place of residence

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

• The total validity period of six months for your residence permit has not yet expired. Alternatively, following your departure, you have spent at least as long abroad as you had previously spent in Germany looking for work.
• You hold a German degree, a recognised foreign degree, or a foreign degree that is comparable to a German one (the recognition or assessment of comparability was usually already checked when your residence permit was first issued).
• They are still looking for work in a profession for which they are qualified on the basis of their (academic) qualifications.
• In the case of regulated professions (for example, doctors, lawyers, teachers or engineers): the required licence to practise the profession is still valid, or its renewal has been approved.
• You are able to support yourself and maintain your health insurance cover from your own resources without having to rely on state benefits.
• Your stay does not prejudice or jeopardise the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. There are no grounds for your deportation.

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 sufficient means of support (for example, proof of income, personal savings, a blocked account, a letter of undertaking); in addition, proof must be provided of the financial resources required for departure.
• Proof of health insurance cover (for example, a confirmation of cover from your health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Proof of academic qualification
• For foreign higher education qualifications: a decision on the recognition or comparability of the qualification, or a qualification assessment from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
• For regulated professions: a valid licence to practise or confirmation that one will be granted
• If a six-month residence permit was already in place: proof of departure and the duration of the stay abroad

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

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

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 sufficient means of support (for example, proof of income, personal savings, a blocked account, a letter of undertaking); in addition, proof must be provided of the financial resources required for departure.
• Proof of health insurance cover (for example, a confirmation of cover from your health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Proof of academic qualification
• For foreign higher education qualifications: a decision on the recognition or comparability of the qualification, or a qualification assessment from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
• For regulated professions: a valid licence to practise or confirmation that one will be granted
• If a six-month residence permit was already in place: proof of departure and the duration of the stay abroad

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

• Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Federal Territory (Residence Act – AufenthG) Section 20: Job-seeking by skilled workers
• § Section 8 (1) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 5 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 extension of a residence permit is at the discretion of the relevant immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free from errors of discretion.
• In principle, the residence permit does not entitle the holder to take up gainful employment; however, in accordance with the purpose of the stay, it does allow for trial employment for up to ten hours per week, provided that the holder’s qualifications enable them to carry out such work.
• The proceedings are 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.