If you are under 25 years of age and want to complete a qualified vocational training program in Germany but have not yet found a training position, you can obtain an extension of your residence permit for the purpose of finding training if you meet certain requirements.

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 you have spent at least as long abroad after your departure as you previously spent in Germany looking for training.

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:

• You must still be seeking an apprenticeship position to complete a qualified vocational training program (vocational training in a state-recognized or similarly regulated occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified).
• The total validity period of your residence permit—six months—has not yet expired. Alternatively, after your departure, you have resided abroad for at least as long as you were previously in Germany under the residence permit.
• You have not yet reached the age of 25 at the time of application.
• You have a good command of German at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• You hold one of the following school diplomas:
  • A diploma from a German school abroad: The diploma obtained at a German school abroad must be a secondary school diploma (such as a Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, eligibility for admission to the upper secondary level of a Gymnasium, Fachhochschulreife, Hochschulreife, or a foreign school diploma that qualifies the holder to study in Germany or, in any case, to study in the country where the German school abroad is located).
  • School diploma entitling the holder to university admission in the Federal Republic of Germany: This may be a German school diploma obtained within Germany or a foreign school diploma. The decisive factor is that the school diploma entitles the holder to university admission (university and university of applied sciences) in Germany.
  • School diploma entitling the holder to university admission in the country where the diploma was obtained: This must be verified using the anabin database. If the diploma is listed in the anabin database, a formal review of the certificate is not required. Only if the diploma is not listed in the anabin database can it be reviewed on a case-by-case basis through an individual assessment by the relevant state-level diploma recognition offices.
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance coverage with your own funds without relying on public benefits.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to submit your application online or provides a specific application form.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you may not submit the application yourself; you will need a representative (typically, the application is submitted by the parents with legal custody).
• 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 your application to schedule an appointment.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by at least one legal representative (usually a parent) when appearing in person. In cases of joint custody, the parents must generally appear together at the office and submit the application for you jointly. If one parent cannot appear in person, that parent must issue a written power of attorney to the other parent with custody authorizing them to submit the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to issue the 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

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/visum-aufenthalt/arten/berufsausbildung

Multilingual information portal about life in Germany for people who are new to Germany. Sponsored by the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees, and Integration, the Federal Government Commissioner for Anti-Racism

https://handbookgermany.de/de/visa-seeking-vocational-training

Information on the evaluation of foreign school qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education

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

• The renewal 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.
• While holding a residence permit, the holder is not permitted to engage in gainful employment.

• If the search for an apprenticeship position is discontinued, a change in the purpose of residence is generally only possible for employment as a skilled worker pursuant to Sections 18a (skilled workers with vocational training) or § 18b (skilled workers with academic training) of the Residence Act, and in cases where there is a statutory entitlement (for example, for the purpose of studying). Notwithstanding this, after successfully completing the search, a change to a residence permit for the purpose of qualified vocational training (Section 16a of the Residence Act) is possible.
• The procedure is generally conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Foreigners’ Registration 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 expulsion 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

Duration (if a range): 6 to 8

Note (for further 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 (if a fixed date): 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 recent biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient means of support (e.g., from personal assets, a security deposit into a blocked account, a bank guarantee, a declaration of financial support, a scholarship, or financial contributions from third parties)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from a health insurance provider or an insurance policy).
• Evidence of an active search for a training position.
• For minors: Consent from all legal guardians to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with legal custody cannot submit the application jointly on behalf of their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has legal custody, that parent’s signature is sufficient
• Proof of German language proficiency at the B2 level (e.g., language certificate)
• Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent that qualifies the applicant for university admission.
• 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.

Fixed cost:

• 96.00 for an additional stay of up to three months
• 48.00 euros for minor applicants for an additional stay of up to three months
• 93.00 for an additional stay of more than three months
• 46.50 for minor applicants 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 be available (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