Leistungen A-Z

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

The EU Blue Card is a temporary residence permit. It was issued for a limited period. You can apply to extend your EU Blue Card if you wish to continue working beyond the period of validity of your EU Blue Card.

Apply for an extension of your EU Blue Card at least eight weeks before the expiry date at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence.

The same conditions apply for the extension of the EU Blue Card as for its issue. In particular, you must be able to present an employment contract with a certain minimum salary and be employed in a job that is appropriate to your qualifications.

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, the 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 EU Blue Card is extended, it will be limited in time again.

The Blue Card will be extended for a maximum of four years. If the duration of the employment contract is less than four years, the EU Blue Card will be extended for the duration of the employment contract plus three months.

The Blue Card cannot be extended if this was already ruled out when it was issued or when it was last extended.

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport replacement and a valid EU Blue Card.
• The validity of your EU Blue Card will expire in the near future.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your income without claiming public benefits.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have a concrete job offer or an employment contract with the same or another employer.
• Your salary will reach at least 2/3 of the contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance, or 52% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for shortage occupations (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, medical doctors, IT specialists). For 2020, the minimum annual gross salary for standard occupations is EUR 55,200 and EUR 43,056 for shortage occupations.
  The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community publishes the contribution assessment ceiling in the Federal Gazette each year by December 31 of the previous year.
• The employment performed must be appropriate to the qualification.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved the taking up of employment (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authority).
  For approval to be granted, your working conditions (in particular salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.
• If necessary, you must have a license to practice the profession (e.g. license to practice as a pharmacist).

• Passport or passport replacement
• EU Blue Card
• Proof of livelihood:

• Copy or original of employment contract (to be submitted only in case of changes)
• Proof of income for the last three 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 EU Blue Card

• 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 EU Blue Card 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 EU Blue Card 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 applications for the EU Blue Card.
• 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 will be checked (please bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken to issue the EU Blue Card.
• In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment to visit 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 issue of the EU Blue Card.
• If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the EU Blue Card to be issued.
• After around six to eight weeks, you can collect your EU Blue Card from the immigration office.
• Fees are charged for the extension of the EU Blue Card. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

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

• Extension of the EU Blue Card: no later than eight weeks before your valid EU Blue Card expires
• 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

You can also obtain free advice on entry, residence and employment 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

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

§ Section 8 (1) in conjunction with. § Section 18b (2) Residence Act

§ Section 39 Residence Act

• Residence Act

• Information on the EU Blue Card on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (German): https: //www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Migrathek/BlaueKarteEU/blauekarteeu-node.html
• Information on the EU Blue Card on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (English): https: //www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Migrathek/BlaueKarteEU/blauekarteeu-node.html
• Information on mobility with an EU Blue Card (German): https: //www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/MobilitaetEU/MobilitaetBlaueKarteEU/mobilitaet-blauekarteeu-node.html
• Information on mobility with an EU Blue Card (English): https: //www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/MobilitaetEU/MobilitaetBlaueKarteEU/mobilitaet-blauekarteeu-node.html

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