The residence permit for the purpose of employment that is in the public interest, particularly in terms of regional economic or labor market policy, is issued for a limited period. It can be extended if the employment is to continue beyond the period of validity of your residence permit.

Apply for the extension of your residence permit at the latest eight weeks before the expiry of the limited period at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

The same conditions apply to the extension as to the initial grant. In particular, there should still be a public interest in your employment. A public interest in the employment can be justified, for example,

• if there is regional or supraregional public interest in an employer's products or services, or if there is a shortage of certain goods or services at the employer's location (regional interests). Supply or local political reasons may also play a role here.
• if significant investments and/or a significant number of jobs are created or secured; if the establishment of the company is associated with a sustainable improvement in the sales or market opportunities of domestic companies or if it involves the establishment of a manufacturing plant for technically high-quality (future-proof) and/or particularly environmentally friendly products (economic interests).
• if jobs are preserved or created as a result of the employment (labor market policy interests).

The private economic and operational interests of an employer alone are not sufficient to justify a public interest in the employment.

Your qualifications are not relevant for the extension of your residence permit.

The Federal Employment Agency approved your residence permit when it was first issued. If the approval has expired, it must be reissued in order to extend your residence permit.

When your residence permit was first issued, you may have been required to participate in an integration course. If this is the case, it must be taken into account when extending your residence permit. If you have not yet participated in an integration course, the immigration office may reject your application for an extension of your residence permit. If you have not yet completed the integration course, your residence permit will generally only be extended for one year at a time until you have successfully completed the course or provided evidence that you have integrated into social life in some other way.

In the event of an extension, your residence permit will again be limited in time. The duration of the limitation depends on the duration of your employment contract or the period of validity of the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

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 substitute and a valid residence permit to work in the public interest.
• The validity of your residence permit will expire in the near future.
• There are no grounds for your expulsion.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have a new employment contract or a new binding job offer from the same or another employer.
• There is still a public interest in your employment, particularly a regional, economic, or labor market policy interest.
• You can continue to secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage independently without claiming public benefits.
• The Federal Employment Agency has given or renewed its approval for you to take up employment (approval is usually obtained by the immigration office). In order to obtain approval, your working conditions (in particular your salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

You must apply for an extension of your residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the immigration office and your specific situation, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your immigration office offers electronic applications for residence permits.
• If the application can only be made in person, make 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 for the renewal of your electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If you apply electronically, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment at the immigration office. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the renewal of your electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• The eAT card must always be picked up in person.
• There are fees for renewing your residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

You can also obtain free advice on entry, residence, and employment from the "Working and Living in Germany Hotline" on the German 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.

Section 8(1) in conjunction with Section 19c(3) of the Residence Act

Section 19c (3) Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 39 (3) Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 35 Employment Regulation (BeschV)

• The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your current 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 term of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Appeal period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• Valid passport
• Current residence permit
• Original copy of your employment contract or a binding job offer (please use the standard nationwide form Declaration of Employment )
• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Proof of your health insurance
• Rental agreement

Extension of residence permit:

• 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 exemption may be considered.

Note: The residence permit in the form of an electronic residence title must be reissued for the extension. The fee for reissuing the card is EUR 67.00.

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardized nationwide); additional forms specific to your local authorities can be obtained from your immigration office; these may also be available online
• Online procedures possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes