Aufenthaltserlaubnis für die Ausbildungsplatzsuche zur Durchführung einer qualifizierten Berufsausbildung: Verlängerung beantragen

You should apply for an extension of your residence permit in good time before your residence permit expires in order to look for a training place for qualified vocational training.

If you have not yet reached the age of 25 and would like to complete qualified vocational training in Germany but have still not found a training position, you can obtain an extension of your residence permit to look for training if you meet certain requirements.

Make sure that the residence permit is issued for a maximum of six months. An extension of your residence permit is only possible if this 6-month period has not yet been exhausted. The extension must be applied for in good time before your previous residence permit expires.

If you have already been in possession of a six-month residence permit, the residence permit can only be issued again if you have stayed abroad after your departure for at least as long as you previously stayed in Germany to look for training.

The residence permit will be issued again for a limited period, but for a maximum of six months in total.

In principle, the extension of your residence permit requires the submission of the same documents as for the initial issue:

• recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of means of subsistence (e.g. from own assets, payment of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, declaration of commitment, scholarship, grants from third parties)
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy).
• Proof of active search for a training place.
• For minors: Consent of all persons with custody rights to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody rights cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has custody rights, the signature of this parent is sufficient
• Proof of German language skills at level B2 (e.g. language certificate)
• Proof of school-leaving certificate that entitles the applicant to university entrance.
• Proof of departure and duration of stay abroad

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the foreigners authority may require less or further proof.

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit. This means

• You are still looking for a training place to carry out qualified vocational training (vocational training in a state-recognized or comparably regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified).
• This total validity period of your residence permit of six months has not yet been exhausted. Alternatively, you have stayed abroad after your departure for at least as long as you were previously in Germany on the basis of your residence permit.
• You have not yet reached the age of 25 at the time of application.
• You have a good knowledge of German at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• You have one of the following school-leaving qualifications:
  • Qualification from a German school abroad: The qualification obtained at a German school abroad must be a secondary school leaving certificate (e.g. Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, entitlement to transfer to the gymnasiale Oberstufe, Fachhochschulreifeprüfung, Hochschulreifeprüfung or foreign school leaving certificate that entitles the holder to study in Germany or in any case to study in the country in which the German school abroad is located).
  • School-leaving certificate that entitles the holder to study at a university in the Federal Republic of Germany: This can be a German school-leaving qualification obtained in the Federal Republic of Germany or a foreign school-leaving qualification. The decisive factor is that the school-leaving qualification entitles the holder to access higher education (university and university of applied sciences) in Germany.
  • A school-leaving certificate that entitles the holder to enter higher education in the country in which the school-leaving certificate was obtained: This is to be determined using the anabin database. If the qualification is listed in the anabin database, a formal examination of the certificate is not required. Only if the qualification is not listed in the anabin database can it be examined on a case-by-case basis by means of an individual examination by the competent certificate recognition offices of the federal states.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your own resources without claiming public benefits.
• There is no interest in deporting you.

Cost amount (fixed):

• EUR 96.00 for a further stay of up to three months
• 48.00 EUR for underage applicants for a further stay of up to three months
• 93.00 EUR for a further stay of more than three months
• 46.50 EUR for underage applicants for a further stay of more than three months

Remark:

Additional fees may apply for the issue of a new residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The time and form in which fees are charged and paid vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may apply (e.g. for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but need a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one legal representative (usually a parent) at the personal appointment. If you have joint custody, the parents must always appear together at the authority and submit the application on your behalf. If one parent cannot appear in person, the other parent with custody rights must be given written authorization to submit the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, in the original if possible).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. After completion, you will receive information and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a notice of rejection.

Duration (for span): approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on the processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

The production of the electronic residence permit by the Bundesdruckerei takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

Application period

Duration (for span): 6 to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

At the latest six weeks to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires, the application should be received by the Aliens' Registration Office.

Duration (for a fixed period): maximum 6 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The residence permit will be limited again, but for a maximum total period of six months.

• The extension of the residence permit is at the discretion of the responsible immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a discretionary decision.
• Gainful employment is not permitted while holding the residence permit.

• If the search for a training place is discontinued, a change of purpose of residence is generally only possible to employment as a skilled worker in accordance with §§ 18a (skilled workers with vocational training) or § 18b (skilled workers with academic training) of the Residence Act and in cases of a legal entitlement (for example for the purpose of studying). This does not affect the possibility of changing to a residence permit for the purpose of qualified vocational training (Section 16a of the Residence Act) once the search has been successfully completed.
• The procedure is usually carried out in German.
• All information provided to the Immigration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that your application can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to the person concerned. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the revocation of previously granted residence rights, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification
• Legal action before the court named in the objection notice if the objection is not upheld

• Residence permit for the purpose of training; extension for the purpose of finding a training place to complete qualified vocational training
• This residence permit can only be extended if the applicant has resided abroad after leaving the country for at least as long as they previously resided in Germany on the basis of the residence permit.
• For the extension of the residence permit, the same requirements must then be met as for the initial granting of the residence permit.
• The purpose of the stay must be the continuation of the search for a training place to carry out qualified vocational training.
• Qualified vocational training is deemed to exist if it is vocational training in a state-recognized or comparably regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified under federal or state law.
• The applicant must not have reached the age of 25. The date on which the application is submitted in full is decisive.
• Living expenses (including health insurance) must be secured for the duration of the search for a training place, i.e. the applicant must be able to support themselves from their own resources. Living expenses can also be covered by third parties.
• Good German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are required.
• The applicant must have one of the following school-leaving qualifications:
  • Qualification from a German school abroad: The qualification obtained at a German school abroad must be a secondary school leaving certificate (e.g. Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, entitlement to transfer to the gymnasiale Oberstufe, Fachhochschulreifeprüfung, Hochschulreifeprüfung or foreign school leaving certificate that entitles the applicant to study in Germany or in any case to study in the country in which the German school abroad is located).
  • School-leaving certificate that entitles the holder to study in Germany: This can be a German school-leaving qualification obtained in Germany or a foreign school-leaving qualification. The decisive factor is that the school-leaving qualification entitles the holder to access higher education (university and university of applied sciences) in Germany.
  • School-leaving qualification that entitles the holder to access higher education in the country in which the school-leaving qualification was obtained: If the qualification is listed in the anabin database, a formal examination of the certificate is not required. Only if the qualification is not listed in the anabin database can it be examined on a case-by-case basis by the responsible certificate recognition offices of the federal states.
• The persons entitled to personal care must agree to the planned stay to look for a training place if the applicant has not yet reached the age of 18.
• The residence permit is issued for a limited period, but for a maximum of six months.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance necessary: Yes