Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche nach Berufsausbildung: Verlängerung beantragen

Once you have successfully completed your training in Germany, your residence permit can be extended for a maximum of 12 months to enable you to look for a job.

If you have successfully completed school-based or company-based training in Germany, you may be granted a residence permit to look for a job.

The residence permit will be issued to you for a limited period directly following your previous training. An extension is possible if the maximum period of 12 months was not used up when the permit was first issued. If you do not find a job during this time, an extension is still not possible. You are then obliged to leave the federal territory.

This residence permit allows you to work without restriction.

• Valid national passport
• Proof of secure means of subsistence (e.g. employment contract and payslips, bank statements, declaration of commitment by a third party)
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of qualification (diploma, certificate or certificate from your training company or educational institution confirming successful completion of training)
• 1 current biometric photo
• Please ask your local immigration office whether you need to submit any further documents.

You must already be in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment after successfully completing school or company training in Germany, which has not yet exhausted the maximum period of 12 months.

You must also meet the general requirements for obtaining a residence permit. These are in particular

• a secure livelihood,
• a clarified identity,
• possession of a valid national passport.

You can only apply for a residence permit in person at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence.

• You must submit the required documents in the original and pay the application fee.
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will check whether the requirements for issuing the permit have been met.
• If all requirements are met, the immigration authority will take your biometric data (photo, fingerprints) and order the electronic residence permit (eAT) from Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
• As soon as the eAT is ready, it will be issued to you by the Foreigners' Registration Office.

The processing time depends on the workload at the local foreigners authority.

Application before the current residence permit expires. It is recommended that you apply 4 to 6 weeks before your current residence permit expires. The residence permit is limited to 12 months, including any extension.

You can find more information on the Federal Government's portal page for skilled workers from abroad.

• Appeal

Detailed information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the decision rejecting your application.

• Appeal to the administrative courts.

• Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Extension for job search after school or company training
• Issued for a limited period
• Extension possible
• Extension excluded if the 12-month period has been exhausted
• Entitles the holder to unrestricted gainful employment
• Responsible: local foreigners authority

• Online procedure possible: no
• Written form required: no
• Personal appearance required: yes