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 have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and a valid residence permit to pursue employment requiring specialized professional knowledge.
• The validity of your residence permit will expire in the near future.
• There is no interest in expelling you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair 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 reach at least 60% of the contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance. In 2020, 60% corresponds to a gross minimum salary of EUR 4,140 per month or EUR 49,680 per year (limit applies to the entire federal territory).
  The contribution assessment ceiling is announced each year by December 31 of the previous year by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community in the Federal Gazette (see further information).
• You can continue to cover your living expenses and health insurance independently without claiming public benefits.
• The Federal Employment Agency has given or renewed its approval for you to take up employment (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authorities). In order to obtain approval, your working conditions (in particular your salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

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

• Depending on the immigration office and your specific situation, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your immigration office offers electronic applications for residence permits.
• If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment with the immigration office.
  During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of your electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If you apply electronically, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment at the immigration office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (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 immigration office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• The eAT card must always be picked up in person.
• There are fees for renewing your residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

• Information on the residence of skilled workers without vocational training or academic education, including IT specialists without formal qualifications, on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (German):  https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/FachkraefteOhneAusbildung/fachkraefte-ohne-ausbildung-node.html
• Information on the residence of skilled workers without vocational training or academic education, 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 minimum salary required for a residence permit for IT specialists without formal qualifications: Open the website of the Federal Gazette and enter the words "Announcement regarding § 6 of the Employment Regulation" in the search box.
• You can also get free advice on entry, residence, and employment from the "Hotline Working and Living in Germany" on the German government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.
  Phone: 030
  1815-1111 Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your current residence permit expires.
• In the event of an extension, the new residence permit will again be issued for a limited period. The validity depends on the duration 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 )
• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Proof of your health insurance
• Rental agreement

Extension of residence permit:

• for a further stay of up to three months:
  EUR 96
• For a further stay of more than three months:
  EUR 93

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

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

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardized nationwide); additional forms specific to your local authorities can be obtained from your immigration office; these may also be available online
• Online procedures possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes