Leistungen A-Z

• Forms: you can obtain authority-specific forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be offered online.
• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit if the procedure for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification is still ongoing. The recognition procedure covers the period from the submission of the application to the issuance of a recognition notice concluding the procedure by the competent recognition office. This includes the implementation of qualification measures and subsequent examinations that are required for the determination of equivalence or the obtaining of the professional practice permit.

In case of extension, your residence permit will be limited again. The residence permit for the recognition of professional qualification based on an agreement of the Federal Employment Agency will be extended by one year at a time up to a maximum of three years. After three years, if you have successfully completed the recognition procedure, you can obtain a residence permit to look for a job for one year or a residence permit for another purpose of stay (e.g. to study, to complete vocational training or to pursue employment as a skilled worker).

The Federal Employment Agency must again approve the pursuit of employment in the desired occupational field. The approval is granted for a limited period of one year. It can be granted if you can prove that you are still pursuing the recognition procedure.

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 replacement as well as the valid residence permit for the recognition of professional qualification based on an agreement of the Federal Employment Agency according to § 16d paragraph 4 Residence Act.
• The period of validity of your residence permit will expire in the near future.
• You are pursuing the procedure for determining the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification or, if necessary, for issuing the professional practice permit at the competent recognition office in Germany.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved the pursuit of employment in the desired occupational field.
  As a rule, the approval is obtained by the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Your livelihood is secured.

• Passport or passport replacement
• Current biometric photo
• Existing residence permit
• Proof of livelihood (e.g. blocked account at a bank)
• Proof of your health insurance
• Employment contract
• Rental contract
• Proof of the recognition procedure (e.g. initial notification from the recognizing body or certificate of attendance for a qualification measure)

• Extension of the residence permit for the recognition of professional qualification based on an agreement of the Federal Employment Agency
  • 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 considered.

The extension of your residence permit must be applied for at the aliens' registration office responsible for your place of residence.

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for the residence permit.
• If the application is only possible in person, arrange an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office.
• During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them to the appointment). For the issuance of the electronic residence permit (eAT) your fingerprints will be taken.
• In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the issuance of the eAT- card.
• If your application is approved, the Aliens' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks you can pick up your eAT card at the Aliens' Registration Office.
• There are fees for the extension of the residence permit. The timing and form of payment varies depending on the authority.

• Extension of the residence permit: at the latest eight weeks before the expiry of your still valid residence permit.
• Objection period: 1 month

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

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the immigration authority of the district/district-free city

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

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the immigration authority of the district/district-free city

• § Section 8 (1) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 16d (4) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 2 Employment Ordinance (BeschV)

• Central Office for Professional Recognition:

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/pro/zsba.php#

(German)

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/pro/service-center.php

(English)

• Recognition in Germany:

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/index.php

(German)

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php

(English)

• Free advice on the topics of entry, residence and profession is also available from the "Hotline Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland" (Working and Living in Germany) from the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.

Phone: 030 1815-1111

Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Federal government portal for skilled workers from abroad:

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/ueber-das-portal/kontakt/hotline/

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