You have already received a residence permit for job seekers for qualified professionals with academic training. If you have not yet found a job that matches your academic qualifications but would like to continue looking for work, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.

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, after leaving Germany, you have spent at least as long abroad as you previously spent in Germany looking for work.

The residence permit will be reissued for a limited period, but for a maximum total validity of six months.

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:

• The total validity period of your residence permit of six months has not yet been exhausted. Alternatively, after leaving Germany, you have spent at least as much time abroad as you previously spent in Germany looking for work.
• You have a German or a recognized foreign or a foreign university degree that is comparable to a German one (the recognition/determination of comparability was usually already checked when the residence permit was first issued).
• You are still looking for employment in a profession for which you are qualified based on your (academic) qualifications.
• For regulated professions (e.g., doctor, lawyer, teacher, or engineer): You still have the required professional license or its extension has been approved.
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance costs from your own resources without claiming public benefits.
• Your residence does not impair or jeopardize the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. There is no interest in expelling you.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of your residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The immigration office will order the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card at the relevant office. The eAT card must always be picked up in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Federal Government portal for skilled workers from abroad (information on the recognition of qualifications):

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/anerkennung/wer-benoetigt

Federal government information portal on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/fachkraefte.php

Information portal of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs on foreign educational qualifications

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

Federal government portal for skilled workers from abroad (information on job hunting)

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/job/jobsuche

Information from the Federal Employment Agency on access to the labor market for people from abroad (including a migration check for employees and a leaflet on the employment of foreign workers in Germany)

https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/fuer-menschen-aus-dem-ausland

• The extension of the residence permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free of discretionary errors.
• In principle, the residence permit does not entitle the holder to engage in gainful employment, but it does allow trial employment for up to ten hours per week in accordance with the purpose of the stay, provided that the holder is qualified to perform the work.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the immigration authority 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 procedure and be detrimental to those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time by the Foreigners' Registration Office can result in the withdrawal 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 for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

In principle, the extension of your residence permit requires the submission of the same documents as for the initial issuance:

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (e.g., proof of income, equity capital, blocked account, letter of commitment); In addition, proof of sufficient funds for departure must be provided.
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of academic degree
• For foreign university degrees: notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree or a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
• For regulated professions: Valid professional license or confirmation of issuance
• If a residence permit for six months was already available: Proof of departure and the duration of the stay abroad

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may request less or more evidence.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities within one month of notification.
• File a lawsuit with the court specified in the appeal decision if the appeal is not upheld.

Duration (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 (for fixed period): 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 of six months.

Duration (range): approx. 6 to 8

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 processing the application.

In principle, the renewal of your residence permit requires the submission of the same documents as for the initial issuance:

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (e.g., proof of income, equity capital, blocked account, letter of commitment); In addition, proof of sufficient funds for departure must be provided.
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of academic degree
• For foreign university degrees: notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree or a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
• For regulated professions: Valid professional license or confirmation of issuance
• If a residence permit for six months was already available: Proof of departure and the duration of the stay abroad

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may request less or more evidence.

Cost type:

• 96.00 for an additional stay of up to three months
• 93.00 for a further 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 electronic proof of identity.

The timing and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be considered (for example, for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply for Turkish citizens.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes