Service Finder
Applying for an extension of your residence permit to look for a job after your studies
Service Description
As a graduate of a German university, you are legally entitled to a residence permit to look for a job. The residence permit will be issued to you for a maximum of 18 months directly following your studies. If this maximum period was not used up when the permit was first issued, the residence permit can be extended accordingly. However, if you do not find a job during these 18 months, an extension is excluded and you are obliged to leave the federal territory.
This residence permit allows you to work without restriction.
Process flow
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 will be checked (please bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken to issue the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
- In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment for an interview 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 Foreigners' Registration Office.
Fees are charged for the extension of the residence permit. The time and form of payment varies depending on the authority
Who should I contact?
The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.
Competent authority
The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.
Requirements
You are in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment after successfully completing your studies in Germany. The maximum period of 18 months has not yet been exhausted. You also meet the general requirements for obtaining a residence permit. These are in particular
- a secure livelihood
- a clarified identity
- possession of a valid national passport or passport substitute.
Which documents are required?
- Valid passport or passport substitute
- Proof of secure means of subsistence (e.g. employment contract and payslips, bank statements, declaration of commitment by a third party),
- Proof of health insurance,
- Degree certificate, transcript or certificate from your university confirming successful completion of your studies,
- 1 current biometric photo,
- Please ask your local immigration office whether you need to submit any further documents.
What are the fees?
Fee: 96,00 EURPayment in advance: nofor a further stay of up to three months
Fee: 93,00 EURPayment in advance: nofor a further stay of more than three months
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
- Extension of the residence permit: at the latest eight weeks before your valid residence permit expires
- Deadline for appeal: 1 month
Processing duration
about six to eight weeks
Legal basis
Applications / forms
The decision of the immigration authority can be appealed to the court named in the decision.
Appeal
Forms: Application for a residence permit
Online procedure possible in some cases
Written form required: yes
Personal appearance required: yes
Author
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
Technically approved by
Thuringian Ministry for Migration, Justice and Consumer Protection
Professionally released on
30.03.2023
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6Plus)
