Verlängerung der Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Studienvorbereitung und zum Studium beantragen

You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of studying before it expires if you meet certain requirements.

The residence permit for the purpose of study is a temporary residence title. You can apply for an extension of the residence permit if you have not yet completed your studies but can still do so within a reasonable period of time. As a rule, a stay of ten years is the upper limit for the duration of residence.

When deciding on the extension of a residence permit for the purpose of study, the Foreigners' Registration Office may obtain and take into account opinions from the university or other institutions approved for education or further training on questions of study requirements, the course of studies, the completion of studies and other academic matters.

The same requirements apply to the extension of the residence permit for the purpose of study as to the granting of it. In particular, your livelihood should be secured for the duration of your studies.

In case of extension, your residence permit will be limited again. The residence permit for the purpose of studies will be extended for at least one year and, as a rule, for two years or for the remaining duration of the studies.

If the foreigner participates in a Union or multilateral program with mobility measures (e.g. ERASMUS+ program of the European Union) or if an agreement between two or more higher education institutions applies to the foreigner, the residence permit will be extended by at least two years. If the studies last less than two years, it will be extended by its duration.

As a rule, the residence permit cannot be extended if this was already ruled out when the residence permit was issued or last extended.

• Passport or passport replacement
• Current biometric photo
• Existing residence permit
• Proof of subsistence (e.g. blocked account at a German bank, scholarship certificate or declaration of commitment)
• Proof of health insurance
• If applicable, proof of achievements in your studies
• Rental contract

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport replacement as well as the valid residence permit for the purpose of studying according to § 16b paragraph 1 Residence Act.
• The period of validity of your residence permit will expire in the near future.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have not yet completed your studies and can prove that you will be able to do so within a reasonable period of time.
• Your livelihood is secured for the entire duration of your studies.

Extension of the residence permit for the purpose of studies

• for a further stay of up to three months: EUR 96
• for a further stay of more than three months: EUR 93

Under certain conditions a fee reduction or fee exemption can be considered

The extension of your residence permit must be applied for at the aliens' registration office responsible for your place of residence.

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for the residence permit.
• If the application is only possible in person, arrange an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office.
• During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them to the appointment). For the issuance of the electronic residence permit (eAT) your fingerprints will be taken.
• In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the issuance of the eAT- card.
• If your application is approved, the Aliens' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Aliens' Registration Office.

There are fees for the extension of the residence permit. The time and the form of payment vary depending on the authority.

about six to eight weeks

• Extension of the residence permit: at the latest eight weeks before the expiry of your still valid residence permit for the purpose of studying.
• Objection period: 1 month

• You can also obtain free advice on the topics of entry, residence and occupation from the "Hotline Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland" (Working and Living in Germany) from the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.
  Phone: 030 1815-1111
  Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  Federal government portal for skilled workers from abroad
  https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/ueber-das-portal/kontakt/hotline/

An appeal against a negative decision by the immigration authority may be lodged with the authority named in the decision within one month of notification of the decision. The objection can be filed in writing, in electronic form and in writing. If the objection is not granted by the immigration authority, an action may be brought before the court named in the notice of objection.

• Residence permit for the purpose of education Extension for the purpose of study preparation and study.
• Residence permits for the purpose of study are extended if their period of validity expires in the near future and the studies in Germany are to be continued beyond their period of validity.
• The extension must be applied for no later than eight weeks before the expiry of the time limit.
• An extension of the residence permit for the purpose of studying is only possible if the prerequisites that existed when the permit was first issued continue to be met.
• In case of an extension, the residence permit will be limited again.
• An extension is excluded if the completion of studies cannot be achieved within a reasonable period of time or if the extension was already excluded by the aliens' registration office when the permit was first issued or the last extension.
• Depending on the foreigners authority and the request, the application is possible via the Internet or only in person.
• There are fees for the extension. The time as well as the form of payment varies depending on the authority.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• Forms: you can obtain authority-specific forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be offered online.
• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes