Residence permit for the purpose of training Extension to general education school attendance

In good time before the expiration of the validity of your residence permit for the purpose of further attendance at a school in Germany, you should apply for the extension of the residence permit.

If you have already received a residence permit for the purpose of attending school, you must apply for an extension of the residence permit in good time before it expires.

The Foreigners' Registration Office will extend the residence permit if the requirements are met. The granting of a residence permit requires, among other things, that school attendance is the main purpose of your stay. A mere part-time school education does not meet these requirements.

This is generally issued for the respective duration of your purpose of residence.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issuance of the residence permit. That is:

• You want to continue attending a public or state-recognized school with an international orientation or a private school that prepares its students for international degrees, degrees from other countries, or state-recognized degrees (such as the International Baccalaureate [IB]).
• Your selected school will continue to ensure school classes with a composition of students from different nationalities.
• You will be able to secure your living expenses and health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay from your own resources without recourse to public benefits. The current BAföG rate (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) is used as a guideline.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.

• Appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office within one month after 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 are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one representative at the personal appointment. If the custodial parent cannot appear in person, a written power of attorney for the application must be provided.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (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 an 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 extension of the residence permit is at the discretion of the competent foreigners authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision free of discretionary errors.
• While holding the residence permit, gainful employment is not permitted. An exception exists under certain circumstances for the time of vacations.
• During the stay for school attendance, i.e. until the successful completion of the educational measure and handing over of the corresponding graduation certificate, a residence permit for another purpose of stay should generally only be issued if there is a legal entitlement (for example family reunification or studies).
• If you have attended school in Germany while in possession of another residence title, this does not yet justify the issuance of a residence permit for school attendance.
• The procedure 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.