Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Extension for the purpose of employment for qualified employment as a skilled worker with vocational training

You can extend your residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training before it expires if you want to continue working in Germany as a skilled worker

The residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training is a temporary residence permit. You can apply for an extension of the residence permit for skilled employment if your employment is to be continued beyond the period of validity of your residence permit.

Apply for the 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 to the extension of a residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training as for the granting of a residence permit. In particular, you should be able to present a concrete job offer or an employment contract and be in employment that is professionally related to your qualification.

If you were obliged to take part in an integration course when your residence permit was first issued, this will be taken into account when your residence permit is extended. 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 the course 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 residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training will be extended for the duration of the employment contract.

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

Please contact the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

• Passport or passport substitute
• Existing residence permit
• Proof of livelihood:

• Copy or original of employment contract (to be submitted only in case of changes)
• Proof of income for the last 3 months
• If you are changing employer: specific job offer (please use the standardized nationwide declaration of employment form)

• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Tenancy agreement
• Proof of your health insurance
• If you are obliged to attend an integration course: certificate of successful participation in the integration course or other proof of integration efforts

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardized nationwide)
• You can obtain further authority-specific forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online.
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: No
• Personal appearance required: Yes

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and a valid residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training in accordance with Section 18a AufenthG.
• 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 can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your income without claiming public benefits.
• You have a concrete job offer or an employment contract with the same or another employer.
• You are in employment that is professionally related to your qualifications.
• If necessary, you have a license to practice your profession.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved your taking up employment (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authority) For approval to be granted, your working conditions (in particular salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

§ 8 paragraph 1 i. in conjunction with § 18a Residence Act (AufenthG)

§ Section 39 Residence Act (AufenthG)

The extension of your residence permit must be applied for at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence.

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for a residence permit.
• If the application can only be made in person, arrange an appointment with the immigration office.
• During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (please bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken to issue the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment for an interview at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the eAT card to be issued.
• 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 collect your eAT card from the immigration office.
• Fees are charged for the extension of the residence permit. The time and form of payment varies depending on the authority

• Extension of the residence permit: no later than eight weeks before the expiry of your valid residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training
• Objection period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks

• Extension of the residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training:
  • 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.