If your minor child has been granted a residence permit on the basis of their birth in Germany, you must apply for an extension in good time before the residence permit expires.

The immigration office will extend your child's residence permit if the requirements are met.

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial granting of the residence permit. This means:

• Both parents with custody are third-country nationals, i.e., they are citizens of a country outside the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland.
• The child is a minor and, due to being born in Germany, holds a residence permit in accordance with Section 33 of the Residence Act.
• At least one parent with custody has a valid residence permit, settlement permit, or EU long-term residence permit.
• At least one parent with custody lives with the child in a family community in Germany.

• You must submit an application to the immigration office for an extension of the residence permit in good time before the current residence permit of your child born in Germany expires.  
• Find out whether the relevant Foreigners' Registration Office allows applications to be submitted online or provides a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving the application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and your child's identity will be checked, as well as your documents (please bring all documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your child's fingerprints will be taken for the production of the new residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card for short). Fingerprints are not taken from children under the age of six.
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it has been produced, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• It is sufficient if one parent has the right of residence described above. It is irrelevant whether the child's parents are married.
• If the parents' residence permit expires, the child's residence permit may also be revoked.
• Children who have reached the age of 16 can, under certain conditions, obtain an unlimited right of residence in the form of a settlement permit (see administrative service "Granting of a settlement permit for minor children").
• At the latest upon reaching the age of majority, the residence permit granted to a child becomes an independent right of residence, independent of family reunification.
• All information provided to the immigration authorities should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time to the immigration authorities can result in the withdrawal of already granted residence rights, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

The application should be submitted to the immigration office at least 8 weeks before the current residence permit expires.

Period of validity: 1 year to 3 years

Note (for further information on the deadline):        

The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on the validity of the parents' residence permits.

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:

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 is responsible for issuing the residence permit.

In principle, the same documents must be submitted for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issuance. These are:

• Residence permit, settlement permit, or EU long-term residence permit of one or both parents
• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute) of one or both parents and the child
• Current biometric photo of the child in passport format (45 x 35 mm)

In individual cases, the immigration office may require less or more evidence.

Cost (fixed):

• €48.00 for an additional stay of up to three months
• 46.50 euros for a further stay of more than three months

Note:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of the new residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

Lower fees may apply for Turkish citizens.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes