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Extension of the residence permit due to special personal reasons or special circumstances of the individual case

You are in possession of a residence permit. An extension of your residence permit cannot be extended according to the general regulations. A residence permit under other regulations is also out of the question. Then this residence permit can be extended if, due to special circumstances of the individual case, leaving the Federal territory would mean extraordinary hardship for you.

The general conditions for granting a residence permit must also be met (in particular livelihood security, clarified identity, no interest in expulsion).

The residence permit does not entitle you to gainful employment. This can be permitted upon application by the Foreigners' Registration Office.

You may be subject to a residence requirement.

You are entitled to social benefits (basic provision for jobseekers according to Book II of the Social Code or basic security in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity according to Book XII of the Social Code) and child benefit.

Family reunification is excluded.

You are not entitled to participate in an integration course. They can only be admitted to participate within the limits of available course places.

• Presentation of the currently valid residence permit
• current biometric photo
• Proof of identity, e.g. passport, ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate; Citizenship card
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• for regulated professions: your licence to practise medicine (e.g. licence to practise medicine or licence to practise a profession)
• Proof of your health insurance
• Lease

• Possession of a residence permit
• No possibility of renewal or issuance of another residence permit
• Special circumstances of the individual case justify extraordinary hardship
• Threat of an enforceable obligation to leave the country
• Submission of general grant requirements (e.g. securing livelihood, sufficient living space, passport requirement)
• No interest in expulsion
• No entry and residence ban

When issuing the residence permit, a fee of 100 euros is due (50 euros for minors)

Exemption from fees for social benefits

As a rule, you must apply for the extension of your residence permit due to exceptional hardship in person.

Make an appointment with the locally responsible immigration authority. You can also find out about the application process on the respective website of the Ausländerbörde and which documents you have to submit in which form.

During your appointment, your fingerprints will be taken.

If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will instruct Bundesdruckerei to produce the electronic residence permit. The residence permit takes the form of a credit card with additional electronic functions.

With regard to the duration of the procedure until the residence permit is issued, please contact the competent immigration authority.

As a rule, you will be informed by the competent immigration authority of the duration of the procedure (about 6 to 8 weeks) when applying for a residence permit.

Note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title.

Validity of the residence permit:

• In principle, only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of the stay

A maximum of three years

An extraordinary hardship can only be assumed if you are in an emergency situation that is significantly different from the situation of other foreigners.

• Possession of a residence permit
• Extension or issuance of a residence permit on the basis of other regulations is not considered
• Leaving the Federal territory constitutes exceptional hardship due to special circumstances of the individual case
• Fulfilment of the general conditions for grant

Legal consequences of issuing a residence permit:

• Employment only permitted with the permission of the Foreigners' Registration Office
• Entitlement to social benefits
• No family reunification possible
• No entitlement to an integration course, admission to the integration course only within the framework of available course places
• No entitlement to an extension of the residence permit by the Foreigners' Registration Office
• Personal attendance required: yes

Responsible: Your locally competent immigration authority

Please contact the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Obtain from your local immigration authority

Online procedure possible: no

Personal attendance required: yes