Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Anerkennung der Berufsqualifikation während einer Beschäftigung: Verlängerung beantragen

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit, which was issued to recognize your foreign professional qualification, if the maximum validity period of two years has not yet been exhausted.

If your residence permit expires before the deficits identified by the recognition office have been remedied, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit in order to continue your post-qualification.

Please note that the residence permit is issued for a maximum of two years. An extension of your residence permit is therefore only possible if this time frame has not yet been exhausted.

You must apply for the extension in good time before your previous residence permit expires.

The same conditions apply for the extension of the residence permit as for the issue. In particular, your livelihood should be secured for the duration of your stay.

The Federal Employment Agency may have to approve your employment again. As part of the approval process, it will check the working conditions, among other things.

The residence permit cannot be extended if it is clear that the post-qualification cannot be completed within a reasonable period of time or if the extension was already ruled out by the immigration authority when the permit was issued or when it was last extended.

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)
• Employment contract and the "Declaration of employment" form completed and signed by the employer (see forms)
• Description of how the missing skills, knowledge and abilities are to be compensated for (e.g. further training plan)
• 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, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, proof of parental income or similar)
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)

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

If necessary, you may have to submit proof of your language skills or the deficit notice from the recognition office to the immigration authority again.

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 not yet able to provide evidence of the skills, knowledge and abilities in company practice that the recognition office has identified as missing. You would therefore like to continue your employment in the non-regulated profession in order to meet the requirements for full recognition of your foreign professional qualification.
• The maximum validity period of your residence permit of two years has not yet been exhausted.
• Your employer has assured you in your employment contract that it will continue to allow you to obtain professional recognition.
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance for the remainder of your stay from your own resources without claiming public benefits.
• You have German language skills that correspond to your job; as a rule, you have at least language skills at level A 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• The Federal Employment Agency has - if necessary - approved the continuation of your employment (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authority).
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• 96.00 EUR for a further stay of up to three months for adult applicants
• 93.00 EUR for a further stay of more than three months for applicants of full age

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 foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• 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 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.

approx. 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing times:

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

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

Application deadline:

approx. 6 weeks to 8 weeks

The extension of the residence permit must be applied for before the validity of the current residence permit expires. The application should be received by the Aliens' Registration Office at least six to eight weeks before the residence permit expires.

Period of validity:

max. 2 years

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The residence permit is generally limited to two years when it is first issued (maximum period of validity). An extension of the residence permit can therefore only be considered if this time frame has not yet been exhausted.

The extension must be applied for at the Foreigners' Registration Office in good time before the previous residence permit expires.

• Non-regulated professions are professions without specific state requirements for practicing them. This means that there is no professional license required to work in the profession. In Germany, for example, all professions based on dual vocational training are not regulated.
• The residence permit does not entitle the holder to pursue gainful employment that goes beyond the employment required for post-qualification.
• After obtaining the equivalence of the professional qualification, it is possible to stay for up to twelve months to look for a job (Section 20 (3) no. 4 AufenthG).
• In individual cases, the Employer Service of the Federal Employment Agency and, in the accelerated skilled worker procedure, the responsible immigration authority will provide advice. The "Central Service Center for Professional Recognition" can also be contacted in individual cases.
• The procedure at the foreigners authority is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Foreigners' Registration 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 recognition of professional qualifications during employment
• The residence permit for the pursuit of qualified employment for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification is issued for a maximum of two years. An extension is only possible if this maximum duration has not yet been exceeded.
• The same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit.
• An extension of the residence permit is possible if the aim of the employment to compensate for the deficits identified by the recognition body has not yet been achieved.
• The employment must be continued in a regulated profession and proof of a concrete job offer must be provided.
• The employer must also guarantee in the employment contract that they will enable professional recognition during the stay in Germany.
• The Federal Employment Agency may have to approve the continuation of employment again.
• For the duration of the stay, livelihood and health insurance cover must be secured without recourse to public benefits.
• When the residence permit is extended, it is again limited in time. The maximum period of residence of two years may not be exceeded.
• An extension is excluded if the recognition of the professional qualification cannot be achieved within a reasonable period of time or if the extension was already excluded by the foreigners authority when the permit was issued or last extended.
• 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