Applying for an extension of a residence permit to attend a general education school

• 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 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.
• 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 an 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.

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

• They wish to continue attending a state or state-recognised school with an international focus, or a private school that prepares its pupils for international qualifications, qualifications from other countries or state-recognised qualifications (such as the International Baccalaureate [IB]).
• The school you have chosen continues to ensure that its classes are made up of pupils of different nationalities.
• You are able to cover your living expenses and health insurance cover for the duration of your stay from your own resources, without having to rely on public benefits. The current BAföG rate (Federal Training Assistance Act) serves as a guideline in this regard.
• There is no interest in deporting you.

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)
• Proof of means of support (for example, from personal assets, a security deposit paid into a blocked account, a bank guarantee, a declaration of financial commitment, a scholarship, proof of parents’ income or similar)
• Proof of health insurance cover (for example, a confirmation of cover from your health insurance provider or an insurance policy).
• A certificate from the school stating the duration and general conditions of attendance
• In the case of minors: consent from all persons with parental responsibility for the planned school attendance (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.

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

• Section 16f(2) of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Federal Territory (Residence Act – AufenthG)
• § 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.
• You are not permitted to work whilst holding a residence permit. An exception may apply during the school holidays.
• During a stay for the purpose of attending school – that is, until the educational programme has been successfully completed and the relevant leaving certificate has been awarded – a residence permit for another purpose should, as a rule, only be granted if there is a statutory entitlement (for example, family reunification or study).
• If you attended school whilst holding another type of residence permit in Germany, this does not in itself justify the granting of a residence permit for the purpose of attending school.
• 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.