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Residence permit after professional recognition procedure - applying for an extension

Service Description

If you have successfully had the equivalence of a foreign professional qualification determined or have received a permit to practice your profession, you can be granted a temporary residence permit to look for a job.

The residence permit will be issued to you directly following your previous recognition procedure. An extension of the residence permit is only possible if the maximum period was not exhausted when the permit was first issued. If you do not find a job during this time, it will not be possible to extend your residence permit. You are then obliged to leave the federal territory.

This residence permit allows you to work without restriction.

Process flow

You can only apply for a residence permit in person at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

  • 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 applications for residence permits.
  • If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office.
    During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
  • In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
  • 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 the eAT card from the immigration office.
  • The eAT card must always be collected in person.
  • Fees are charged for the extension of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary 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 already in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment following a successful recognition procedure of your foreign professional qualification in Germany, the maximum period of 12 months of which has not yet been exhausted.

Further general requirements for obtaining a residence permit are in particular

  • a secure livelihood,
  • a clarified identity,
  • possession of a valid national passport.

Which documents are required?

  • Valid national 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
  • Proof of qualification (diploma, certificate or certificate from your training company or educational institution confirming successful completion of training)
  • 1 current biometric photo
  • Please ask your local immigration office whether you need to submit any further documents.

What are the fees?

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be possible.

Fee: 96,00 EUR
Payment in advance: no
for a further stay of up to three months

Fee: 93,00 EUR
Payment in advance: no
for a further stay of more than three months

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

  • The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid residence permit expires.
  • In the event of an extension, the new residence permit will again be issued for a limited period. The validity depends on the duration of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
  • Deadline: 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

  • Online procedure occasionally possible
  • Personal appearance required: yes
  • Written form 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)

No competent authority found