If you have a residence permit for a period of less than six months to carry out a study-related internship in the EU and would like to extend your internship, you must apply for an extension in good time before the residence permit expires.

To extend your residence permit, you must meet the same requirements and submit the same documents as when you first applied for the residence permit. One requirement is that the maximum duration of the residence permit of six months has not yet been exhausted.

If you are still under the age of 18, you will also need the consent of your legal guardian for the extension.

• You are currently studying in a third country (outside the EU or EEA) or successfully completed your studies no more than two years prior to submitting your application.
• You would like to extend the internship agreement.
• The internship provider extends the cost coverage statement (commitment to cover costs that public authorities may incur for your living expenses during your unauthorized stay in Germany or for your deportation for up to six months after the end of the internship).
• The internship continues to correspond to your university degree or current studies in terms of subject and level.
• You can cover your living expenses and health insurance without claiming public benefits.
• There is no interest in deporting you.

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to submit your application online or provides a special application form.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you may not submit the application yourself, but will need a representative (usually the application is submitted by the parents with custody).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by at least one legal representative (usually a parent) when you attend the appointment in person. In the case of joint custody, the parents must always appear together at the office and submit the application for you jointly. If one parent is unable to appear in person, the other parent with custody must issue a written power of attorney for the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of your residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence title (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• The residence permit does not entitle the holder to engage in any other gainful employment.
• For internships lasting longer than six months, a residence permit for in-company training may be considered. A residence permit for job seeking may also be considered for a further six months following the internship if the foreigner is considered a skilled worker with vocational training or a skilled worker with academic training due to their qualifications.
• The procedure at the immigration office is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the immigration office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time by the immigration office can result in the withdrawal of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification
• Action before the court specified in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Duration (range): 6 to 8

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The residence permit is issued for the agreed duration of the internship, but for a maximum total validity period of six months. Further extensions are not possible.

(for margin): approx. 6 to 8

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application. In rural districts, this is the district administration, and in independent cities, it is the city administration.

• and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Residence permit (study-related internship EU)
• Current biometric passport-size photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses without recourse to public benefits (e.g., personal funds, scholarship, letter of commitment, deposit of a security deposit into a blocked account at a bank, bank guarantee, proof of parents' income, or similar)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of insurance coverage from your health insurance provider or insurance policy).
• For minors: consent of all legal guardians to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody cannot submit the application for their child together, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has custody, the signature of that parent is sufficient
• Proof of university degree obtained or current studies in a third country (e.g., university certificate, certificate of enrollment).
• Internship agreement with the internship provider containing the following information:
  • Description of the internship program (including educational objectives, learning components)
  • details of the duration of the internship,
  • the conditions of the activity and supervision,
  • working hours, and
  • the legal relationship between the intern and the internship provider.
• Declaration of cost coverage by the internship provider
• The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may request additional or less documentation.

Cost (fixed):

• 96.00 for an additional stay of up to three months
• 48.00 for minor applicants for a further stay of up to three months
• 93.00 for a further stay of more than three months
• 46.50 for minor applicants for a further stay of more than three months

Note:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a new residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The timing and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be considered (for example, for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply for Turkish citizens.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes