You can apply for an extension of your residence permit if you wish to continue participating in the Federal Voluntary Service.

In principle, the same conditions apply to the extension of the residence permit as to its initial issuance.

The residence permit will be extended for the duration of your participation in the Federal Volunteer Service, but for a maximum of 18 months in total. In exceptional cases, an extension of up to 24 months is possible if this can be justified within the framework of a special educational concept.

To extend a residence permit, the same requirements must be met as for the initial issuance of the residence permit, namely:

• You are a national of a non-EU or non-EEA country.
• You are already performing federal voluntary service, the originally agreed-upon duration of which was limited to less than 24 months.
• You have agreed with the host organization to extend your service and can demonstrate the need for the extension if the total duration of your service exceeds 18 months.
• You can cover your living expenses (including health insurance) for the entire duration of the volunteer service without relying on public benefits. Federal funding for the Federal Volunteer Service does not preclude the issuance of a residence permit.  
• There are no grounds related to public safety and order that would prevent your stay in Germany. There is no interest in deporting you.
• If you are a minor: consent has been obtained from the persons authorized to exercise parental care for you to continue your stay.

• You must apply for a residence permit before your current one expires.
• Find out whether your local immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a specific application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. If you are applying online, please follow the immigration office’s instructions for scheduling an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your original documents to the appointment). In addition, your fingerprints and signature will be recorded for the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• You will receive a notice by mail informing you that your application has been approved and the Federal Printing Office has been commissioned to produce the eAT card, or that your application has been denied.
• You will be notified when you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners’ Registration Office. Since the eAT card is linked to an online ID function, you must pick it up in person.

• There is no automatic right to an extension of the residence permit for participation in the Federal Volunteer Service. Decisions are always made on a case-by-case basis.
• The residence permit is valid only for participation in the Federal Volunteer Service. If the purpose of your stay changes, you must notify the responsible immigration office immediately.
• The procedure is generally conducted in German. If your German language skills are insufficient, it is recommended that you bring someone with you who can act as a translator.
• All information provided to the immigration 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 the federal 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: The residence permit should be applied for at least 6 to 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires.

Period of validity: When extended, the residence permit will be renewed for the planned duration of the Federal Voluntary Service, usually for a maximum of 18 months. In exceptional cases, the residence permit may be extended for up to 24 months if this can be justified within the framework of a special educational concept.

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks

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.

In general, to renew your residence permit, you must 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 your intention to continue participating in the Federal Volunteer Service (e.g., an extended agreement with the Federal Volunteer Service provider). If the intended total duration exceeds 18 months, you must provide specific justification for the extension.
• Proof of sufficient means of support (e.g., personal assets, proof of income, blocked account, pension notice, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental allowance or child allowance, alimony payments, letter of commitment)
• For minors: A declaration of consent from the legal guardians regarding continued participation in the Federal Volunteer Service

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

Fee amount (fixed):

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

Notes:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a 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 authority.

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

Forms available: No
Written application required: No
Informal application accepted: Yes
Must appear in person: Yes