Apply for extension of residence permit for recognition of professional qualification during employment

The Foreigners' Registration Office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

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

• You are not yet able to provide evidence of the skills, knowledge and abilities of operational practice determined by the recognition body to be lacking. You therefore wish to continue your employment in the non-regulated occupation in order to create the conditions for full recognition of your foreign professional qualification.
• The maximum period of validity of your residence permit of two years has not yet been exhausted.
• Your employer has given an assurance in your employment contract that he will continue to allow you to obtain professional recognition.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage for the further duration of your stay from your own resources without recourse to public benefits.
• You have German language skills appropriate to your job; as a rule, at least language skills at level A 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved the continuation of your employment - if required (approval is usually obtained from the Foreigners' Registration Office).
• There is no interest in deportation against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

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

• Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Recent biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Employment contract and the "Declaration of Employment Relationship" form completed and signed by the employer (see forms)
• Presentation of how the missing skills, knowledge and abilities are to be compensated for (e.g. training plan)
• Proof of securing your livelihood (e.g. from your own assets, payment of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, declaration of commitment, scholarship, proof of receipt of benefits such as parents or child benefit, proof of parents' income or similar)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (for example, confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners' Registration Office may require less or more proof.

If necessary, you will have to submit proof of your language skills or the deficit notice from the Recognition Office to the Foreigners' Registration Office again.

• 96,00 EURO for a further stay of up to three months for applicants of full age
• 93,00 EURO for a further stay of more than three months for applicants of full age.

Remark:

Additional fees may be charged for the issuance 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 timing as well as the form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

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

• § 45 Nummer 2 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)

• 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 Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, if possible in original).
• If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Aliens' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. Once it has been produced, 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 rejection notice.

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

Period of validity:

max. 2 years

Remark (for further information on the time limit):

The residence permit is usually 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 Aliens' Registration Office in good time before the expiry of the validity of the previous residence permit.

approx. 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners' Registration Office.

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

• Non-regulated professions are professions without specific government requirements for their practice. This means that there is no professional license that would be 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 engage in gainful employment beyond that which serves the purpose of post-qualification.
• After obtaining the equivalence of the professional qualification, there is the possibility of residence for job-seeking purposes for up to twelve months (Section 20 (3) No. 4 Residence Act).
• In individual cases, the Employer Service of the Federal Employment Agency and, in the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, the competent foreigners authority provide advice. The "Zentrale Servicestelle Berufsanerkennung" 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 the matter can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

• § 16d Absatz 3 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)
• § 7 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)
• § 8 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)

• An appeal against a negative decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office can be brought before the competent administrative court.

• A preliminary procedure (opposition) does not take place in Lower Saxony.
• Detailed information can be found in the rejection notice.