Leistungen A-Z

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardized nationwide); you can obtain other forms specific to the authorities from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online.
• Online procedure possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

The residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with an academic education is a temporary residence permit. You can apply for an extension of the residence permit for qualified employment if your employment is to be continued beyond the period of validity of your residence permit.

Apply for the extension of your residence permit at least eight weeks before the expiry date at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence.

The same conditions apply to the extension of a residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with an academic education as for the granting of a residence permit. In particular, you should be able to present a concrete job offer or an employment contract and be in employment that is professionally related to your qualification.

If you were obliged to take part in an integration course when your residence permit was first issued, this will be taken into account when your residence permit is extended. If you have not yet taken part in an integration course, the immigration authority may reject your application to extend your residence permit. If you have not yet completed the integration course, your residence permit will generally only be extended for one year at a time until you successfully complete the course or provide proof that you have been integrated into society and social life in another way.

If your residence permit is extended, it will be limited in time again. The residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training will be extended for the duration of the employment contract.

As a rule, the residence permit cannot be extended if this was already ruled out when the residence permit was issued or last extended.

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and a valid residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with an academic education in accordance with Section 18b (1) of the Residence Act.
• Your residence permit will expire in the near future.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your income without claiming public benefits.
• You have a concrete job offer or an employment contract with the same or another employer.
• You are in employment that is professionally related to your qualifications.
• If necessary, you have a license to practice your profession (e.g. license to practice as a pharmacist).
• The Federal Employment Agency has agreed to your taking up employment (approval is usually obtained from the Foreigners' Registration Office). For approval to be granted, your working conditions (in particular salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

• Passport or passport substitute
• Existing residence permit
• Proof of livelihood:

• Copy or original of employment contract (to be submitted only in case of changes)
• Proof of income for the last 3 months
• If you are changing employer: specific job offer (please use the standardized nationwide employment declaration form for this) or an employment contract

• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Tenancy agreement
• Proof of your health insurance
• If you are obliged to attend an integration course: certificate of successful participation in the integration course or other proof of integration efforts

• Extension of the residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with an academic education:

• for a further stay of up to three months: EUR 96
• for a further stay of more than three months: EUR 93

• Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be possible.
  Note: The residence permit in the form of the electronic residence permit must be reissued for the extension. The fee for reissuing the card body is EUR 67.00

The extension of your residence permit must be applied for at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence.

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for a residence permit.
• If the application can only be made in person, arrange an appointment with the immigration office.
• During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (please bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken to issue the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the eAT card to be issued.
• If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be issued.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can collect your eAT card from the immigration office.
• Fees are charged for the extension of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the foreigners authority of the district/city)

• Extension of the residence permit: no later than eight weeks before the expiry of your valid residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with an academic education
• Objection period: 1 month

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence:

In the state of Brandenburg, the foreigners authority of the district/city is responsible

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence:

In the state of Brandenburg, the foreigners authority of the district/city is responsible

§ 8 paragraph 1 i. in conjunction with Section 18b (1) Residence Act

§ Section 39 Residence Act

• Residence Act

• Information on the residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with a university degree on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (German): https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/Hochschulabsolvent/hochschulabsolvent-node.html
• Information on the residence permit for qualified employment on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (English):
  https://www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Arbeit/Hochschulabsolvent/hochschulabsolvent-node.html
• Free advice on entry, residence and employment is also available from the "Hotline Working and Living in Germany" of the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.
  Telephone: 030 1815-1111
  Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00

Ministry of the Interior and Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg