If you are a civil servant employed by a German employer and are residing in Germany to fulfill your official duties, you will generally have a temporary residence permit. You can apply for an extension of your residence permit if it is about to expire and you wish to continue working in Germany.
You should apply for an extension of your residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence at least eight weeks before the expiry date.
The same requirements apply to the extension as to the initial issuance. This means that you must continue to be employed as a civil servant by a German employer and wish to remain in Germany to fulfill your official duties.
In the event of an extension, your residence permit will again be limited in time. The duration of the time limit depends on the planned duration of your service.
The Federal Employment Agency is not required to be involved in the extension of 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 Foreigners' Registration 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.
If you have held a residence permit for three years to perform duties for a German employer, you are entitled to be granted an unlimited residence permit (settlement permit). In this case, the requirement to
have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance for at least 60 months or to provide evidence of expenditure for a claim to comparable benefits is waived.
You must apply to extend your residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:
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Depending on the Foreigners’ Registration Office and the nature of your request, it may be possible to apply online. Check whether your Foreigners’ Registration Office offers the option to apply for a residence permit electronically.
If you submit your application online, 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).
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If the application can only be submitted in person, schedule an appointment with the immigration office.
During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be reviewed (please bring them with you to the appointment).
- To renew your electronic residence permit (eAT card), your fingerprints will be taken at the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
- After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners’ Registration Office. You must pick it up in person.
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Fees apply for the renewal of your residence permit. The timing and method of payment vary depending on the agency.
Section 8(1) in conjunction with Section 19c(4) of the Residence Act
The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence
