As a participant in the European Voluntary Service, you have been granted a residence permit. If the host organization agrees in writing to extend your service, your residence permit can also be extended.
The prerequisite for this is that the maximum duration of the residence permit, which is one year, has not yet been exhausted.
If you are still under the age of 18, you will also need the consent of your legal guardian for the extension.
In addition to participating in voluntary service, you are not permitted to take up additional employment.
- You have a recognized and valid identification document (such as a passport or passport substitute)
- You are already participating in a European Voluntary Service whose originally agreed-upon duration was limited to less than one year.
- You have agreed with the host organization to extend your service for a total duration of no more than one year.
- There are no legally prescribed grounds for rejection (for example, you should not be among those who enjoy international protection in Germany, who have applied for international protection, whose deportation has been temporarily suspended, or who have been granted temporary protection; nor should the host institution have been established solely for the purpose of facilitating the entry and residence of foreign nationals).
- You have adequate health insurance coverage.
- There is no interest in deporting you.
Your stay does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Find out whether your immigration office allows you to submit your application online or provides a special application form.
- If you can only apply in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners’ Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
- During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment—originals 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 Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up your residence permit at the appropriate office. The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.
It is not possible to extend a residence permit beyond a total duration of one year.
You should apply for an extension of your residence permit no later than six to eight weeks before the original residence permit expires.
Additional information regarding the deadline:
The residence permit is issued for a maximum of one year. An extension is only possible if this period has not yet expired.
Appeal period: 1 month
Duration: approx. 8
Additional information on processing time:
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Bundesdruckerei to produce the electronic residence permit
The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.
