A residence permit issued for the purpose of employment in a field of public interest—particularly one related to regional, economic, or labor market policy—is granted for a limited period. It may be extended if the employment is to continue beyond the validity period of your residence permit.

Apply for an extension of your residence permit no later than eight weeks before it expires at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

The same requirements apply to the extension as to the initial issuance. In particular, there must continue to be a public interest in your employment. A public interest in the employment can be established, for example,

• if there is a regional or supraregional public interest in an employer’s products or services, or if there is a shortage of certain goods or services at the employer’s location (regional interests). Reasons related to public services or local government policy may also play a role here.
• if significant investments are made and/or a substantial number of jobs are created or secured; if the establishment of the business is associated with a sustainable improvement in the sales or market opportunities of domestic companies, or if it involves the establishment of a manufacturing facility for technically advanced (future-proof) and/or particularly environmentally friendly products (economic interests).
• if the employment preserves or creates jobs (labor market policy interests).

An employer’s private-sector, business-related interest alone is not sufficient to establish a public interest in the employment.

Your qualifications are not a determining factor for the renewal of your residence permit.

The Federal Employment Agency approved your residence permit when it was first issued. If the approval has expired, it must be reissued for the renewal of your residence permit.

Under certain circumstances, you may have been required to participate in an integration course when your residence permit was first issued. If this is the case, it must be taken into account when renewing your residence permit. If you have not yet participated in an integration course, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may reject your application to extend your residence permit. If you have not yet completed the integration course, your residence permit will generally be extended for only one year at a time until you successfully complete the course or provide proof that you have otherwise integrated into social and community life.

In the event of an extension, your residence permit will again be issued for a limited period. The duration of this period depends on the term of your employment contract or the validity period of the approval from the Federal Employment Agency.

As a rule, the residence permit cannot be extended if this possibility was already ruled out at the time the permit was issued or during the most recent extension.

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute, as well as a valid residence permit to work in the public interest.
• Your residence permit is set to expire in the near future.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.
• Your presence does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have a new employment contract or a new binding job offer from the same or a different employer.
• There continues to be a public interest—particularly a regional, economic, or labor market-related interest—in your employment.
• You can continue to support yourself and maintain your health insurance coverage independently without relying on public benefits.
• Approval from the Federal Employment Agency to take up employment has been granted or renewed (this approval is typically obtained by the Foreigners’ Registration Office). To obtain approval, your working conditions (particularly your salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

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

• Depending on the Foreigners’ Registration Office and the nature of your request, it may be possible to apply online. Check to see if your Foreigners’ Registration Office offers the option to apply for a residence permit electronically.
• If you can only apply in person, schedule an appointment with the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
• During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be reviewed (please bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of your electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If you submit your application electronically, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment at the office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be reviewed (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 Foreigners’ Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be issued.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
• The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
• Fees apply for the renewal of the residence permit. The timing and method of payment vary depending on the agency.

You can also get free advice on entry, residence, and employment from the “Working and Living in Germany Hotline” on the German federal government’s portal for foreign skilled workers.

Phone: 030 1815-1111

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Section 8(1) in conjunction with Section 19c(3) of the Residence Act

Section 19c (3) Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 39 (3) Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 35 Employment Regulation (BeschV)

• You should apply for an extension no later than eight weeks before your current residence permit expires.
• If the extension is granted, the new residence permit will again be issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on the term 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 (please use the nationwide standard form “Declaration of Employment” for this purpose )
• Current biometric photo
• Current certificate of registration
• Proof of health insurance
• Rental agreement

Residence Permit Extension:

• for an additional stay of up to three months:
  EUR 96
• for an additional stay of more than three months:
  EUR 93

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

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

• Forms: Declaration of Employment (standardized nationwide); additional agency-specific forms are available from your immigration office; in some cases, these are also available online
• Online procedures are possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• In-person appearance required: yes