If you are a third-country national who is a family member of a German citizen and wish to continue residing in Germany in order to avoid exceptional hardship, you must apply for an extension of your residence permit in good time before it expires.

To extend your residence permit, you must meet the same requirements and submit the same documents as when you first applied for a residence permit.

The residence permit is a temporary residence title and is usually extended for at least one year.

In general, the same requirements that apply to the initial issuance of a residence permit must be met in order to extend it. This means:

• You are a national of a country outside the EU or the EEA.
• The person you are joining has German citizenship and is habitually resident in Germany.
• You still fall into the category of “other family members” of a German national; in other words, you are neither their spouse nor their minor, unmarried child. Other family members include, for example, adult unmarried children, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and foster children. Fathers of biological German children who are not married to the mother are also included in this group of eligible persons.
• A special case of hardship also exists, for example, if your German family member is dependent on your assistance due to illness, disability, or the need for long-term care.
  Please note : Adverse conditions in your home country do not constitute a case of hardship.
• Your family reunification must also serve to establish a shared family life with the German national (for example, living together in the same residence). In cases of geographical separation due solely to work or education, or in cases of a support or care arrangement resulting from placement in a long-term care facility, a family life together may also be recognized if you maintain regular contact with the German national that goes beyond mere visits.
• You can continue to support yourself and maintain health insurance coverage without relying on public benefits.
  Please note : This requirement does not apply to minor family members.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your presence 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 specific application form.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you may not submit the application yourself; you will need a representative (typically, the application is submitted by the parents with legal custody).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners’ Registration Office. If you submit your application online, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by at least one representative when appearing in person. If the parents with legal custody cannot appear in person, a written power of attorney for the application must be provided.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to issue your residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to issue the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card 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.

• When renewing a residence permit, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may waive the “means of support” requirement for adult family members.
• The residence permit entitles the holder to engage in gainful employment.
• You are not entitled to a renewal of your residence permit. The Foreigners’ Registration Office has discretion (a margin of judgment) in deciding whether to grant family reunification.
• The proceedings at the Foreigners’ Office are generally conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Foreigners’ Office should be accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without significant delays.
• Inaccurate or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those involved. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not supplemented or corrected in a timely manner with the Foreigners’ Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or deportation from German territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• File an appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office within one month of its notification
• Lawsuit before the court specified in the notice of decision on the appeal, if the appeal is not granted

Application deadline:

6 to 8 weeks

Note (for more information on the deadline):

You must apply for an extension of your residence permit before your current residence permit expires. The application should be received by the Immigration Office no later than six to eight weeks before the residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

In the case of a renewal, the residence permit is granted for at least one year.

(for custom orders): approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note regarding further information on processing times:

Processing times may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners’ Registration Office.

It takes about 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.

• A recognized and valid form of identification (such as a passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient means of support (e.g., from personal assets, deposit of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, letter of commitment)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from a health insurance provider or an insurance policy).
• For minors: Consent from all legal guardians to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with legal custody cannot submit the application jointly on behalf of their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has legal custody, that parent’s signature is sufficient

The documents and information must generally be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require fewer or additional supporting documents.

If necessary, you may need to submit further proof of the family relationship to the Foreigners’ Registration Office, as well as a justification of the exceptional hardship.

• 96.00 euros for an additional stay of up to three months for adult applicants
• 48.00 euros for an additional stay of up to three months for minor applicants
• 93.00 euros for an additional stay of more than three months for adult applicants
• 46.50 euros for an additional stay of more than three months for minor 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 an electronic proof of identity.

The timing and method of fee collection and payment vary depending on the agency.

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

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes