Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Extension for the purpose of employment in the public interest

You can apply for the extension of your residence permit for the purpose of employment in which there is a public interest, in particular a regional, economic or labour market interest, if its validity expires soon.

The residence permit for employment in which there is a public interest, in particular a regional, economic or labor market policy interest, is issued for a limited period. It can be extended if the employment is to be continued beyond the period of validity of your residence permit.

Apply for an extension of your residence permit at least eight weeks before the expiry date at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence.

The same conditions apply for the extension as for the issue. In particular, there should still be a public interest in your employment. A public interest in employment can be justified, for example

• if there is a regional or supra-regional public interest in the products or services of an employer or if there is a shortage of certain goods or services at the employer's location (regional interests). Supply or municipal policy reasons may also play a role here.
• if substantial investments and/or a significant number of jobs are created or secured; if the establishment of the company is associated with a sustainable improvement in the sales or market opportunities of domestic companies or if it involves the establishment of a production plant for technically high-quality (future-proof) and/or particularly environmentally friendly products (economic interests).
• if the employment maintains or creates jobs (labor market policy interests).

The private economic, operational interest of an employer alone is not sufficient to justify a public interest in employment.

Your qualifications are not decisive for the extension of your residence permit.

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

You may have been obliged to take part in an integration course when your residence permit was first issued. If this is the case, this must be taken into account when extending your residence permit. If you have not yet taken part in an integration course, the immigration authority may reject your application to extend your residence permit. If you have not yet completed the integration course, your residence permit will generally only be extended for one year at a time until you successfully complete it or provide proof that you have been integrated into society and social life in another way.

If your residence permit is extended, it will be limited in time again. The duration of the time limit depends on the duration of your employment contract or the period of validity of the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

As a rule, the residence permit cannot be extended if this was already ruled out when the residence permit was issued or last extended.

The foreigners' authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

The foreigners' authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• Valid passport
• Current residence permit
• Original of your employment contract or a binding job offer (please use the nationwide standardized form "Declaration of Employment")
• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Proof of your health insurance
• Tenancy agreement

• Forms: Declaration of employment relationship (uniform throughout Germany); further authority-specific forms can be obtained from your immigration office, if necessary these are also offered online
• Online procedures possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and a valid residence permit for employment in the public interest.
• Your residence permit will expire in the near future.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have a new employment contract or a new binding job offer with the same or another employer.
• There is still a public interest in your employment, in particular a regional, economic or labor market policy interest.
• You can continue to secure your livelihood and health insurance cover independently without claiming public benefits.
• You have the approval of the Federal Employment Agency to take up employment or this has been renewed (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authority). To obtain approval, your working conditions (in particular salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

The extension of your residence permit must be applied for at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the immigration authority and concerns, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your immigration authority offers the electronic application for a residence permit.
• If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of the electronic residence title (eAT card).
• In the event of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you upon receipt of your application in order to make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of the electronic residence title (eAT card).
• If your application is granted, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• The eAT card must always be picked up in person.
• Fees apply for the extension of the residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority

• The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiry of your valid residence permit.
• In the event of an extension, the new residence permit will again be issued for a limited period. The validity depends on the duration of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Opposition period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks.

Extension of residence permit:

• for a further stay of up to three months:
  EUR 96
• for a further stay of more than three months:
  EUR 93

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