Applying for an extension of the residence permit for a study-related internship in the EU

If you have a residence permit for a period of less than six months to carry out a study-related internship EU and want to continue the internship, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.

If you have a residence permit for a period of less than six months for the purpose of carrying out a study-related internship EU and would like to extend your internship, you must apply for its extension in good time before the expiry of the validity of the residence permit.

For the extension of the residence permit, the same requirements must be met and the same documents must be submitted as when the residence permit was first issued. One prerequisite is that the maximum period of issuance of the residence permit of six months has not yet been exhausted.

If you are still under the age of 18, you also need the consent of your legal guardians for the extension.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

• You are in an ongoing study program in a third country (outside the EU or EEA) or have successfully completed your studies no longer than two years prior to the application.
• You would like to extend the internship agreement.
• The internship provider extends the declaration of assumption of costs (obligation to assume costs that public bodies could possibly incur for your livelihood during your unauthorized stay in Germany or for your deportation up to six months after the end of the internship).
• The internship continues to be equivalent in subject and level to your university degree or current studies.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage without claiming public benefits.
• There is no deportation interest against you.

• Appeal against the decision of the Foreigners Authority within one month of notification
• Action before the court named in the notice of appeal if the appeal is not granted

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to submit the application online or provides a special application form.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one legal representative (usually one parent) at the personal visit. In the case of joint custody, the parents must always appear together at the authority and jointly file the application on your behalf. If one parent cannot appear in person, the other parent with custody must issue a written power of attorney for the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, originals if possible, to the appointment).
• If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence title (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• The residence permit does not entitle the holder to pursue further gainful employment.
• In the case of internships that exceed a period of six months, the issuance of a residence permit for in-company training may be considered. The issuance of a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment may also be considered for a further six months following the internship if the foreigner is to be regarded as a specialist with vocational training or as a specialist with academic training on the basis of his or her qualifications.
• The procedure at the Foreigners Authority is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Aliens' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.