Residence permit for the purpose of taking up highly skilled employment: applying for an extension

You must apply to renew your EU Blue Card at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

• Depending on the immigration office and the nature of your enquiry, it may be possible to apply online. Please check whether your immigration office offers the option of applying for the EU Blue Card online.
• If applications can only be made in person, please arrange an appointment with the Immigration Office.
• During your appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be checked (please bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken in order to issue the EU Blue Card.
• If you submit your application online, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you once your online application has been received to arrange an appointment for you to attend the office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring these with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the issue of the EU Blue Card.
• If your application is approved, the Immigration Authority will arrange for the EU Blue Card to be issued.
• After around six to eight weeks, you can collect your Blue Card from the Immigration Office.
• There are fees for renewing the EU Blue Card. The timing and method of payment vary depending on the relevant authority.

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

You can also get free advice on entry, residence and employment from the ‘Working and Living in Germany’ hotline on the German Government’s portal for skilled workers from abroad:

Phone: 030 1815-1111

Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00

• You hold a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute, as well as a valid EU Blue Card.
• Your EU Blue Card is due to expire in the near future.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance cover from your income without having to rely on state benefits.
• Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have a firm job offer or an employment contract with the same or a different employer.
• Your salary will amount to at least two-thirds of the pension insurance contribution assessment ceiling; for shortage occupations (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT specialists), it will amount to 52 per cent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling. For 2020, the minimum annual gross salary is 55,200 euros for standard occupations and 43,056 euros for shortage occupations.
  The level of the contribution assessment ceiling is published each year by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community in the Federal Gazette by 31 December of the previous year.
• The work carried out must be commensurate with the qualification.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved your employment (approval is usually obtained from the Immigration Authority).
  For approval to be granted, your terms and conditions of employment (in particular your salary) must, amongst other things, be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.
• Where necessary, you must hold a licence to practise (e.g. a licence to practise as a pharmacist).

• Passport or passport replacement
• EU Blue Card
• Proof of means of support:

• A copy or the original of the employment contract (to be submitted only if there have been any changes)
• Proof of income for the last three months
• If changing employers: a specific job offer (please use the standard national form ‘Declaration of Employment’ for this) or an employment contract

• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Rental agreement
• Proof of your health insurance
• If you are obliged to attend an integration course: certificate of successful participation in the integration course or other proof of integration efforts

Section 8(1) in conjunction with Section 18b(2) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 39 of the Residence Act

• Residence Act

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardised nationwide); further forms specific to individual authorities are available from your Foreigners’ Registration Office; where applicable, these may also be available online
• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

• Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment: extension to allow the holder to take up highly skilled employment in Saxony-Anhalt

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