Applying for an extension of your residence permit for conditional admission to a degree programme or part-time study

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If you are under 18, you are not permitted to submit the application yourself; you will need a representative (the application is usually submitted by the parents who have parental responsibility).
• 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.
• If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by at least one representative when attending in person. If the parents with parental responsibility are unable to attend in person, a written authorisation must be provided for the application.
• 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, you must collect the eAT card in person. If your application is rejected, you will receive a notice of rejection.

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

• You wish to remain in Germany in order to take up a full-time degree programme once a certain condition has been met, to study part-time, or to take part in a preparatory language course or work placement in preparation for a degree programme.
• 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.
• 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)
• Evidence of the progress made in meeting the entry requirements for a degree programme (it should be demonstrated that the requirements can be met within a reasonable period of time)
• 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 submit further proof to the Immigration Authority of your enrolment, your conditional admission to a degree programme, or your admission to a preparatory language course or work placement.

• Section 45(2) of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• Section 50(1) of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)

• Section 16b(7) 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

• You are not entitled to be granted a residence permit. It is at the discretion of the Immigration Authority whether to grant the residence permit.
• The residence permit entitles the holder to work during the holiday period and to undertake an internship. This restriction is usually included as a supplementary provision in the permit.
• Preparing for university involves, in particular, German language courses and attending preparatory colleges or similar institutions.
• 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.