The residence permit for employment requiring specialized professional knowledge was issued for a limited period. You can apply for an extension of your residence permit if your employment is to continue beyond the period of validity of your residence permit.

Apply for an extension of your residence permit at the latest eight weeks before the expiry date at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

The same requirements apply to the extension as to the initial issuance. In particular, you should continue to work in the IT industry and be able to demonstrate a certain salary.

The Federal Employment Agency approved your residence permit when it was first issued. If the approval has expired, it must be reissued in order to extend your residence permit.

When your residence permit was first issued, you may have been required to attend an integration course. If this is the case, this must be taken into account when extending your residence permit. If you have not yet participated in an integration course, the immigration office may reject your application for an extension of your residence permit. If you have not yet completed the integration course, your residence permit will generally only be extended for one year at a time until you have successfully completed the course or provided evidence that you have integrated into social life in some other way.

In the event of an extension, your residence permit will again be limited in time. The duration of the limitation depends on the duration of your employment contract or the period of validity of the approval from the Federal Employment Agency.

As a rule, the residence permit cannot be extended if this was already ruled out when the residence permit was issued or last extended.

• You hold a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute, as well as a valid residence permit to work in a position requiring advanced professional skills.
• Your residence permit is set to expire in the near future.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.
• Your presence does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have a new employment contract or a new binding job offer from the same or another employer in the IT industry.
• Your salary will continue to amount to at least 60% of the contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance. In 2020, 60% corresponds to a minimum gross salary of 4,140 EUR per month or 49,680 EUR per year (This limit applies to the entire federal territory).
  The amount of the contribution assessment ceiling is announced each year by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Home Affairs in the Federal Gazette by December 31 of the previous year (see further information).
• You can continue to support yourself and maintain your health insurance coverage independently without relying on public benefits.
• Approval from the Federal Employment Agency to take up employment has been granted or renewed (approval is typically obtained by the Foreigners’ Registration Office). To receive approval, your working conditions (particularly your salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

You must apply to extend your residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the Foreigners’ Registration Office and the nature of your request, it may be possible to apply online. Check to see if your Foreigners’ Registration Office offers the option to apply for a residence permit electronically.
• If you can only apply in person, schedule an appointment with the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
  During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be reviewed (be sure to bring them with you to the appointment). To renew your electronic residence permit (eAT card), your fingerprints will be taken.
• If you submit your application electronically, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment at the office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be reviewed (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of your electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If your application is approved, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be issued.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners’ Office.
• The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
• Fees apply for the renewal of the residence permit. The timing and method of payment vary depending on the agency.

• Information on the residence status of skilled workers without vocational or academic training—including IT specialists without formal qualifications—is available on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (in German):  https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/FachkraefteOhneAusbildung/fachkraefte-ohne-ausbildung-node.html
• Information on residency for skilled workers without vocational or academic training—including IT specialists without formal qualifications—on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (English):
  https://www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/FachkraefteOhneAusbildung/fachkraefte-ohne-ausbildung-node.html
• This link will take you to the annual announcements by the Federal Ministry of the Interior regarding the required minimum salary for a residence permit for IT professionals without formal qualifications: Open the Federal Gazette website and enter the words “Announcement regarding Section 6 of the Employment Regulation” in the search bar there.
• You can also receive free advice on entry, residence, and employment from the “Working and Living in Germany Hotline” on the Federal Government’s portal for skilled workers from abroad.
  Phone: 030 1815-1111
  Service hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• You should apply for an extension no later than eight weeks before your current residence permit expires.
• If the extension is granted, the new residence permit will again be issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on the term of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Appeal period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• Valid passport
• Current residence permit
• Original copy of your employment contract or a binding job offer stating your salary (please use the standard federal form “Declaration of Employment” for this purpose)
• Current biometric photo
• Current certificate of registration
• Proof of health insurance
• Rental agreement

Residence Permit Extension:

• for an additional stay of up to three months:
  EUR 96
• for an additional stay of more than three months:
  EUR 93

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or exemption may be granted.

Note: The residence permit in the form of an electronic residence card must be reissued for the extension. The fee for reissuing the card is EUR 67.00.

• Forms: Declaration of Employment (standardized nationwide); additional agency-specific forms are available from your immigration office; in some cases, these are also available online
• Online procedures are possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• In-person appearance required: yes