Applying for an extension of the residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons

Extension of the residence permit for temporary stays

An extension of the residence permit beyond the period of issue of six months is not permitted as long as you have not yet legally resided in Germany for at least 18 months when the residence permit was first issued.

If you have legally resided in Germany for at least 18 months, it is possible to extend your residence permit, which is initially limited to six months. The same conditions must be met as for the issuance of the residence permit.

An extension of the residence permit is only permitted if a temporary stay is sought. If you are seeking permanent residence or an unforeseeable stay in Germany, an extension of the residence permit cannot be granted.

You must urgently ensure that you apply for an extension or issue of another residence 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. entitlement to social assistance). A late application (after the end of the deadline specified in the residence permit) can result in considerable legal disadvantages. Your further stay would then be illegal. They are then obliged to leave the country.

Locally competent immigration authority of your independent city or district

• current biometric photo
• previous residence permit

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.

§ 45 Residence Ordinance

§ 50 Residence Ordinance

§ 53 Residence Ordinance

§ 1 AsylbLG

As a rule, you must apply for the extension of your residence permit 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 you have submitted an application for an extension in due time (before the expiry of the validity of your residence permit), your previous stay is considered permitted until the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office.

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 office.

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 is issued as an electronic residence title

For the extension of the residence permit of up to three months, a fee of 96 euros is due (48 euros for minors). For the extension of the residence permit of more than three months, a fee of 93 euros is due (46.50 euros for minors).

Exemption from fees for social benefits

If you intend to stay permanently in Germany, the extension of the temporary residence permit is out of the question.