Prerequisites
In principle, the same requirements must be met to extend the residence permit as when the residence permit was first issued. This means:
- You are still looking for a training place to complete qualified vocational training (vocational training in a state-recognized or similarly regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified).
- The total validity period of your residence permit of six months has not yet been exhausted. Alternatively, you have stayed abroad for at least as long after leaving the country as you were previously in Germany on the basis of your residence permit.
- You are under 25 years of age when you apply.
- You have good German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- You have one of the following school qualifications:
- Qualification from a German school abroad: The qualification obtained at a German school abroad must be a secondary school qualification (e.g. lower secondary school qualification, intermediate secondary school qualification, entitlement to transfer to the upper secondary school level, university of applied sciences entrance qualification examination, university entrance qualification examination or foreign school qualification that entitles you to study in Germany or at least to study in the country in which the German school abroad is located).
- School leaving certificate that entitles you to university admission in the Federal Republic of Germany: This can be a German school leaving certificate obtained in Germany or a foreign school leaving certificate. The decisive factor is that the school leaving certificate entitles you to university admission (university and technical college) in Germany.
- School leaving certificate that entitles you to university entrance in the state in which you obtained your school leaving certificate: This can be determined using the anabin database. If the qualification is listed in the anabin database, a formal examination of the certificate is not necessary. Only if the qualification is not listed in the anabin database can it be examined in individual cases by the relevant certificate recognition bodies in the states.
- You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage from your own resources without having to rely on public services. There is no interest in deporting you.
Documents required
In principle, the extension of your residence permit requires the submission of the same documents as for the initial issue:
- Recognized and valid identity document (for example: passport or passport substitute)
- Current biometric passport photo (45 x 35 mm)
- Proof of securing your livelihood (for example: from your own assets, payment of security into a blocked account, bank guarantee, declaration of commitment, scholarship, donations from third parties)
- Proof of health insurance coverage (for example: confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy).
- Evidence of actively searching for a training position.
- For minors: consent of all persons with custody of the child to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written authorization from the absent parent is required; if custody is only granted to one parent, the signature of this parent is sufficient
- Proof of German language skills at level B2 (for example: language certificate)
- Proof of school leaving certificate entitling you to university entrance.
- Proof of departure and duration of stay abroad
The documents and information must generally be presented in German. In individual cases, the immigration authorities may require less or more evidence.
Please note
Federal government portal for skilled workers from abroad
Multilingual information portal on life in Germany for people who are new to Germany. Funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration, The Federal Government Commissioner for Anti-Racism
Information on the assessment of foreign school qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education
Deadlines
Application deadline
- Duration (in range): 6 to 8 weeks
- Note (for further information on the deadline): The application should be received by the immigration authorities at least six to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires.
- Duration (for fixed time): maximum 6 weeks
- Note (for further information on the time limit): The residence permit will be limited again, but for a maximum total period of validity of six months.
