Applying for an extension of your residence permit to take part in the Federal Volunteer Service
You can apply to extend your residence permit if you wish to continue participating in the Federal Volunteer Service.
In principle, the same conditions must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue.
The residence permit will be extended for the duration of your participation in the Federal Volunteer Service, but for a maximum of 18 months in total. Exceptionally, an extension of up to 24 months is possible if this can be justified within the framework of a special educational concept.
- The residence permit must be applied for before your current residence permit expires.
- Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
- If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. If you apply online, please follow the instructions of the foreigners authority for making an appointment.
- During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your original documents with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints and signature will also be recorded for the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
- You will receive notification by post that your application has been approved and that Bundesdruckerei has been commissioned to produce the eaT card, or that your application has been rejected.
- You will be informed when you can collect the eAT card from the Foreigners' Registration Office. As the eAT card is linked to an online ID function, you must collect it in person.
The competent authority for processing the application is the Foreigners' Registration Office responsible for the applicant's place of residence.
Which one this is can be determined online here:
The same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit, i.e:
- You are a citizen of a non-EU or non-EEA country.
- You are already performing a Federal Voluntary Service whose originally agreed duration was limited to less than 24 months.
- You have agreed an extension of your service with the host organization and can justify the need if the total duration of your service exceeds 18 months.
- You can secure your livelihood (including health insurance cover) for the entire duration of your voluntary service without claiming public benefits. The subsidization of the Federal Volunteer Service by the Federal Government is not an obstacle to the granting of a residence permit.
- There are no reasons of public safety and order to prevent your stay in Germany. There is no interest in deporting you.
- If you are a minor: you have the consent of the person entitled to take care of you to continue your stay.
In principle, the same documents are required for the extension of your residence permit 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 intended further participation in the Federal Volunteer Service (e.g. extended agreement with the Federal Volunteer Service provider). If a total duration of more than 18 months is intended, the extension must be specially justified.
- Proof of means of subsistence (e.g. equity capital, proof of income, blocked account, pension certificate, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments, declaration of commitment)
- For minors: Declaration of consent from the legal guardian to continue participation in the Federal Volunteer Service
The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the foreigners authority may require less or further proof.
Fee amount (fixed):
- 96.00 Euro for a further stay of up to three months
- 93.00 Euro for a further stay of more than three months
Remarks:
Additional fees may apply for the issuing of a 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 of fee collection and payment 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.
Application deadline: The residence permit should be applied for at least 6 to 8 weeks before your valid residence permit expires.
Period of validity: When the residence permit is extended, it will be renewed for the planned duration of the Federal Volunteer Service, usually for a maximum of 18 months. Exceptionally, the residence permit can be extended for up to 24 months if this can be justified within the framework of a special educational concept.
Approximately 6 to 8 weeks
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.
Forms available: No
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance necessary: Yes
- 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
- 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.
- There is no entitlement to an extension of the residence permit for participation in the Federal Volunteer Service. It is always a case-by-case decision.
- The residence permit is only valid for participation in the Federal Volunteer Service. If the purpose of your stay changes, you must inform the relevant immigration authority immediately.
- The procedure is usually carried out in German. If your knowledge of German is insufficient, it is advisable to speak to a person who can act as a translator.
- 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.
Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior and Sport
05.04.2024
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
