Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche nach beruflichem Anerkennungsverfahren: Verlängerung beantragen

Once the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification has been successfully established or you have received a license to practice your profession in Germany, your residence permit can be extended for a maximum of 12 months for the purpose of finding a job.

If you have successfully had the equivalence of a foreign professional qualification determined or have received a permit to practice your profession, you can be granted a temporary residence permit to look for a job.

The residence permit will be issued to you directly following your previous recognition procedure. An extension of the residence permit is only possible if the maximum period was not exhausted when the permit was first issued. If you do not find a job during this time, it will not be possible to extend your residence permit. 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 are already in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment following a successful recognition procedure of your foreign professional qualification in Germany, the maximum period of 12 months of which has not yet been exhausted.

Further general requirements for the issue of a residence permit 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 a maximum of 12 months, including the extension period.

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.

• Administrative court action

• Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Extension for job search after recognition of foreign professional qualifications
• 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

The foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence.

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