If your residence permit expires before the deficiencies identified by the recognition body have been remedied, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit in order to continue your retraining.

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.

The extension must be applied for in good time before the expiry of your current residence permit.

The same requirements apply to the extension of the residence permit as to its issuance. In particular, your livelihood should be secured for the duration of your stay.

Under certain circumstances, the Federal Employment Agency may have to approve the 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 apparent that the retraining cannot be completed within a reasonable period of time or if the extension was already excluded by the immigration office when the permit was issued or last extended.

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

• You are not yet able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and abilities in operational practice that the recognition authority has determined to be lacking. 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 given a written assurance in your employment contract that they will continue to enable you to obtain professional recognition.
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance for the remaining duration of your stay from your own resources without claiming public benefits.
• You have German language skills that correspond to your job; as a rule, at least language skills at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved the continuation of your employment, if necessary (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authorities).
• There is no interest in expelling you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with 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, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of your residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence title (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the production of the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it is ready, you will be notified 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.

• Non-regulated professions are professions without specific government requirements for their practice. 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 non-regulated.
• The residence permit does not entitle the holder to engage in gainful employment beyond that which serves the purpose of retraining.
• After obtaining equivalence of professional qualifications, it is possible to stay in Germany for up to twelve months to look for work (Section 20 (3) No. 4 of the Residence Act).
• In individual cases, the Employer Service of the Federal Employment Agency and, in the fast-track procedure for skilled workers, the competent immigration authority will provide advice. The Central Service Agency for Professional Recognition can also be contacted in individual cases.
• The procedure at the immigration office is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the immigration 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 detrimental to those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time to the immigration office can result in the withdrawal of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from Germany.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

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

Application deadline:

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks

The extension of the residence permit must be applied for before the current residence permit expires. The application should be received by the immigration 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):

When first issued, the residence permit is usually limited to two years (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 expiry of the previous residence permit.

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:

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

It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

 The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

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

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric passport-size photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Employment contract and the "Declaration of Employment" form completed and signed by the employer (see forms)
• Description of how the remaining skills, knowledge, and abilities are to be compensated for (e.g., continuing education plan)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (e.g., from your own assets, deposit of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, letter of commitment, scholarship, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child allowance, proof of parents' income, or similar)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of insurance coverage from the health insurance company or insurance policy)

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may request less or more evidence.

You may have to submit proof of your language skills or the recognition center's deficit notice to the immigration office again.

• 96.00 EUR for an additional stay of up to three months for adult applicants
• 93.00 EUR for an additional stay of more than three months for adult applicants

Note:

Additional fees may apply 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 and 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 citizens.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes