If you have a residence permit for the purpose of education and training and it is due to expire soon, you must apply to extend your residence permit in good time.

The same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue. In principle, your residence permit can be extended until the end of the training or further training if the training or further training relationship continues and you are expected to complete it successfully.

You must provide proof that you are able to support yourself for the entire duration of the vocational training or further training.

The residence permit can only be extended if the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is still valid. The Foreigners' Registration Office checks this in an internal procedure and obtains approval again if necessary.

An extension is not possible if this was already ruled out by the immigration authority when the permit was issued or when it was last extended.

The residence permit is limited in time. As a rule, its validity depends on the remaining duration of the training or further education.

If you were obliged to take part in an integration course when your residence permit was issued, you must prove that you have fulfilled this obligation. If you have not yet completed the integration course, the immigration authority may refuse to extend your residence permit or only extend it for one year until you have successfully completed the course or have provided proof that you have been integrated into society and social life in another way.

If you have not yet reached the age of 18, a person entitled to your personal care must agree to the extended stay for the purpose of continuing your vocational training or further education.

You are permitted to work during your qualified vocational training. However, your residence permit can only be extended if the successful completion of your vocational training is not jeopardized by the pursuit of gainful employment.

After successfully completing qualified vocational training, your residence permit can be extended for up to twelve months in order to look for a job.

If your qualified vocational training or further training ends prematurely for reasons for which you are not responsible, you may be given the opportunity to look for another training place for a period of up to six months.

During the validity of a residence permit for vocational training and further education, it is generally possible to switch to another qualified vocational training program. Likewise, if you meet the necessary requirements, you can apply to the immigration authority to obtain a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker, for employment with extensive practical vocational knowledge, for studies or for other purposes to which you are legally entitled (change of purpose).