Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ablegung einer Prüfung zur Anerkennung einer ausländischen Berufsqualifikation: Verlängerung beantragen

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit that was issued to you for taking an examination for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification.

If your residence permit expires before you have completed the examination procedure required for the recognition of your foreign qualification, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.

The residence permit was issued solely for the purpose of taking an examination. An extension of the residence permit is therefore only possible if the examination procedure has not yet been completed.

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.

If your residence permit is extended, it will be limited in time again, usually for the remaining duration of the examination procedure. The validity of the residence permit covers the period from taking the examination until the examination result is announced or until the competent authority issues a final decision on the procedure.

The residence permit cannot be extended if it is foreseeable that the examination cannot be taken 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)
• 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)
• 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

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

If necessary, you must provide the immigration authority with further proof of your language skills if the acquisition of language skills is not the subject of your examination.

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 that

• You wish to continue to reside in Germany in order to complete an examination procedure that serves to fully recognize your foreign professional qualification.
• You are able to cover your living expenses and health insurance for the remainder of your stay from your own resources without claiming public benefits.
• You have language skills corresponding to the examination to be taken, but at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. An exception applies if the acquisition of language skills is the subject of the examination to be taken.
• There is no interest in deporting 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

The processing time may vary depending on how busy the immigration office is.

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 Foreigners' Registration Office at least six to eight weeks before the residence permit expires.

The residence permit is issued for a limited period. The validity usually depends on the remaining duration of the examination procedure. The validity covers the period from taking the examination to the announcement of the examination result or until the competent authority issues a decision concluding the procedure. The extension must be applied for at the foreigners authority in good time before the validity expires.

• The term examination covers examinations that are required to determine the equivalence of a foreign professional qualification with a domestic professional qualification. This includes language and technical language examinations. In principle, it is also possible to take several examinations.
• There is no entitlement to the granting of a residence permit. It is at the discretion of the immigration authority to grant the residence permit.
• The residence permit issued for the examination procedure does not entitle the holder to pursue gainful employment.
• The procedure at the Foreigners' Registration Office is generally 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 to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification
• The residence permit for taking examinations for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification can be extended under certain circumstances.
• In principle, 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 examination procedure has not yet been completed, but this goal can still be achieved within a reasonable period of time.
• Living expenses and health insurance cover must be secured for the duration of the stay without recourse to public benefits.
• An extension is excluded if the examinations cannot be taken within a reasonable period of time or if the extension was already excluded by the immigration authority when the permit was issued or when it was last extended.
• In the case of an extension, the residence permit is again limited in time, usually for the duration of the examination procedure.
• 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