Applying for an extension of a residence permit for refugees

Under what circumstances will the residence permit be extended?

Residence permits are issued for a limited period. An extension is possible if the conditions that must be met at the time of initial grant are still met.

There will be no extension if the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has notified that the conditions for revoking refugee status are met.

In addition, your residence permit will not be renewed if you have been expelled on the basis of a particularly serious interest in expulsion.

You must urgently ensure that you submit an application for renewal or the issue of another residence permit (e.g. a settlement permit) before the expiry of your residence permit. If the application is submitted in good time, i.e. before the expiry of the time limit, further residence is deemed permitted until the decision of the immigration authority with all subsequent effects (e.g. the right to engage in gainful employment). A late application (after the end of the time limit specified in the residence permit) can result in considerable legal disadvantages.

Locally competent immigration authority of your independent city or district

• Application for renewal

• current biometric photo
• previous residence permit

Further documents depend on the facts and can be requested from your contact person.

Obtain from your local immigration authority

Online procedure possible: no

Personal attendance required: yes

• The residence permit shall be extended if the conditions which must be met when it is first issued are still met.
• Existence of an application for extension
• There must be no grounds for refusal.

As a rule, you must apply for the extension of your residence title in person - well before the expiry of the validity of your residence permit - at your competent immigration authority.

Make an appointment with the locally responsible immigration authority. You can also find out about the application process on the respective website of the Ausländerbörde and which documents you have to submit in which form.

If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will instruct Bundesdruckerei to produce the electronic residence title (eAT) with a new validity date.

With regard to the duration of the procedure until the residence permit is issued, please contact the competent immigration authority.

Apply for the extension of your residence permit at your competent immigration authority in good time before it expires. Please inquire about this at your local immigration authority.

As a rule, you will be informed by the competent immigration authority of the duration of the procedure (about 6 to 8 weeks) when applying for an extension.

Note: The residence permit/settlement permit is issued as an electronic residence title

You are exempt from the fee for extending your residence permit.

If you are issued a new travel document for refugees, the fee is 60 euros from the age of 24 and 38 euros up to the age of 24.

Because you are in possession of a residence permit on the basis of the granting of refugee status, you are entitled to a settlement permit if you have been in possession of the residence permit for five years if you meet the conditions laid down for this purpose.

If, in addition, you are able to secure the livelihood for yourself and your family predominantly (at least 75%) from your own income and if you are proficient in the German language (equivalent to level C 1), you must already be granted a settlement permit if you have been in possession of a residence permit for three years.