You have already received a residence permit for job seekers for qualified professionals with academic training. If you have not yet found a job that matches your academic qualifications but would like to continue looking for work, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.

Please note that the residence permit is issued for a maximum of six months. An extension of your residence permit is only possible if this 6-month period has not yet expired. The extension must be applied for in good time before the expiry of your current residence permit.

If you already had a six-month residence permit, the residence permit can only be reissued if, after leaving Germany, you have spent at least as long abroad as you previously spent in Germany looking for work.

The residence permit will be reissued for a limited period, but for a maximum total validity of six months.

In general, the same requirements that apply to the initial issuance of a residence permit must be met for its renewal. This means:

• The total validity period of your residence permit—six months—has not yet expired. Alternatively, after your departure, you have spent at least as much time abroad as you previously spent in Germany looking for work.
• You hold a German university degree, a recognized foreign university degree, or a foreign university degree comparable to a German one (the recognition or determination of comparability was usually already verified when the residence permit was first issued).
• You are still seeking employment in a profession for which you are qualified based on your (academic) qualifications.
• For regulated professions (such as doctor, lawyer, teacher, or engineer): You still hold the required license to practice the profession, or its renewal has been approved.
• You can support yourself and maintain health insurance coverage using your own resources without relying on public benefits.
• Your residence does not harm or jeopardize the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. There are no grounds for your deportation.

• 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 immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration 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 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 produce 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.

Federal Government portal for skilled workers from abroad (information on the recognition of qualifications):

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/anerkennung/wer-benoetigt

Federal government information portal on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/fachkraefte.php

Information portal of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs on foreign educational qualifications

https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html

Federal government portal for skilled workers from abroad (information on job hunting)

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/job/jobsuche

Information from the Federal Employment Agency on access to the labor market for people from abroad (including a migration check for employees and a leaflet on the employment of foreign workers in Germany)

https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/fuer-menschen-aus-dem-ausland

• The extension of a residence permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free from errors of discretion.
• In principle, the residence permit does not entitle the holder to engage in gainful employment; however, depending on the purpose of the stay, it does allow for trial employment for up to ten hours per week, provided the applicant’s qualifications enable them to perform such work.
• The procedure is generally conducted in German.
• All information provided to the immigration office should be accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the application 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 the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

In general, renewing your residence permit requires you to submit the same documents as when you first applied:

• A recognized and valid identity document (for example, a passport or passport substitute)
• A current biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient means of support (e.g., proof of income, personal assets, a blocked account, or a letter of financial support); Additionally, you must provide proof of the financial resources required for your departure.
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from your health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Proof of academic degree
• For foreign university degrees: a decision regarding the recognition or comparability of the degree or a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
• For regulated professions: A valid license to practice the profession or a notice of approval for its issuance
• If a six-month residence permit was already held: Proof of departure and the duration of the stay abroad

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

• File an appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office within one month of its notification.
• File a lawsuit with the court specified in the notice of decision on the appeal if the appeal is denied

Duration (for range): 6 to 8

Note (for more information on the deadline):

The application should be received by the Immigration Office no later than six to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires.

Duration (for a fixed period): maximum 6

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The residence permit will be renewed for a limited period, but for a maximum total validity period of six months.

Duration (for the range): approx. 6 to 8

Note regarding further information on processing time:

Processing times may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners’ Registration 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 general, renewing your residence permit requires you to submit the same documents as when you first applied:

• A recognized and valid identity document (for example, a passport or passport substitute)
• A current biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient means of support (e.g., proof of income, personal assets, a blocked account, or a letter of financial support); Additionally, you must provide proof of the financial resources required for your departure.
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from your health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Proof of academic degree
• For foreign university degrees: a decision regarding the recognition or comparability of the degree or a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
• For regulated professions: A valid license to practice the profession or a notice of approval for its issuance
• If a six-month residence permit was already held: Proof of departure and the duration of the stay abroad

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

Cost category:

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

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