If you have a residence permit for a period of less than six months to carry out a study-related internship in the EU and would like to extend your internship, you must apply for an extension in good time before the residence permit expires.

To extend your residence permit, you must meet the same requirements and submit the same documents as when you first applied for the residence permit. One requirement is that the maximum duration of the residence permit of six months has not yet been exhausted.

If you are still under the age of 18, you will also need the consent of your legal guardian for the extension.

• You are currently enrolled in a degree program in a third country (outside the EU or the EEA), or you successfully completed your degree no more than two years prior to submitting your application.
• You would like to extend the internship agreement.
• The internship provider is extending the declaration of financial responsibility (a commitment to cover costs that public authorities may incur for your living expenses during your unauthorized stay in Germany or for your deportation, up to six months after the internship ends).
• The internship continues to correspond to your university degree or current course of study in terms of subject matter and level.
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance without relying on public benefits.
• There is no basis 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.

• The residence permit does not authorize the holder to engage in any additional gainful employment.
• For internships lasting longer than six months, a residence permit for in-company training may be considered. A residence permit for job seeking may also be considered for an additional six months following the internship if the foreign national is deemed to be a skilled worker with vocational training or a skilled worker with an academic degree based on their qualifications.
• The proceedings at the Foreigners’ Registration Office are 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’ 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

Duration (for a range): 6 to 8

Note (for more information on the deadline):

You should apply for an extension no later than eight weeks before your current residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The residence permit is issued for a limited period corresponding to the agreed duration of the internship, but for no more than a total validity period of six months. Further extensions are not permitted.

(for "Spanne"): approx. 6 to 8

Note regarding further information on processing times:

Processing times may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners’ Registration Office.

It takes about 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 rural districts, this is the district administration, and in independent cities, it is the city administration.

• and a valid identification document (such as a passport or passport substitute)
• Residence permit (EU study-related internship)
• Current biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses without relying on public assistance (e.g., personal savings, scholarship, letter of financial support, deposit of a security deposit into a blocked account at a bank, bank guarantee, proof of parents’ income, or similar)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from a health insurance provider or an insurance policy).
• 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 legal custody is held by only one parent, that parent’s signature is sufficient
• Proof of a university degree obtained or of current enrollment in a third country (e.g., university transcript, certificate of enrollment)
• Internship agreement with the host organization containing the following information:
  • Description of the internship program (including educational objectives and learning components),
  • Details regarding the duration of the internship,
  • the conditions of the work and supervision,
  • working hours, and
  • the legal relationship between the intern and the host organization.
• Declaration of Cost Coverage by the Internship Provider
• The documents and information must generally be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require less or additional documentation.

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