Applying for an extension of the residence permit for exceptional cases of hardship

Extension of the residence permit due to exceptional hardship.

You are in possession of a residence permit due to exceptional hardship. The circumstances giving rise to hardship continue to exist. Then this residence permit can be extended if, due to special circumstances of the individual case, leaving the Federal territory would continue to mean extraordinary hardship for you.

In addition, the reasons giving rise to an obstacle to departure and the other reasons for not ending the stay must not have ceased to exist.

The general requirements for granting a residence permit must continue to be met (in particular subsistence security, clarified identity, no interest in expulsion), unless the immigration authority refrains from doing so at its discretion.

The extension of the residence permit still does not entitle you to gainful employment. It can only be permitted upon application by the Foreigners' Registration Office.

You may continue to be subject to a residence condition.

You are entitled to social benefits (basic provision for jobseekers according to SGB II or basic security in old age or reduced earning capacity according to SGB XII) and child benefit.

Family reunification is excluded.

You are not entitled to participate in an integration course. They can only be admitted to participate within the limits of available course places.

Locally competent immigration authority of your independent city or district

• previous residence permit
• current biometric photo
• Proof of identity, if available, e.g. passport, ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate; Citizenship card
• Proof of your health insurance
• Lease

Obtain from your local immigration authority

Online procedure possible: no

Personal attendance required: yes

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

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.

Validity of the residence permit:

• In principle, only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of the stay, at leastthree years

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 a residence permit.

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