Applying for an extension of your residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons

It is not possible to extend your residence permit beyond the initial six-month period as long as you have not legally resided in Germany for at least 18 months when the residence permit is first issued.

If you have legally resided in Germany for at least 18 months, it is possible to extend the residence permit, which is initially limited to six months. The same requirements must be met as for the granting of a residence permit.

An extension of the residence permit is only permitted if you are seeking a temporary residence permit. If you are seeking permanent residence or an unforeseeable stay in Germany, an extension of the residence permit cannot be granted.

You must make sure that you apply for an extension or another residence permit before your residence permit expires. If the application is submitted in good time, i.e. before the expiry of the time limit, your continued residence is deemed to be permitted until the decision of the immigration authority with all subsequent effects (e.g. entitlement to social assistance). A late application (after the end of the period specified in the residence permit) can result in considerable legal disadvantages. Your continued stay would then be unauthorized. You are then obliged to leave the country.

As a rule, you must apply for the extension of your residence permit in person at your local immigration office.

Arrange an appointment with your local immigration office. You can also find out about the application process and which documents you need to submit and in what form on the website of the relevant immigration office.

If you have submitted an application for an extension within the deadline (before your residence permit expires), your current residence is deemed to be permitted until the foreigners authority makes a decision.

If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT) in the form of a check card with a new validity date.

For information on the duration of the procedure until the residence permit is issued, please contact the relevant immigration authority.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

• The residence permit will be extended if the requirements that had to be met when it was first issued are still met.
• Existence of an application for extension
• There must be no grounds for refusal.

• current biometric photo
• previous residence permit

Exemption from fees if you receive social benefits.

Extension of the residence permit for up to three months

Fee: EUR 96,00

Extension of the residence permit for up to three months for minors

Fee: EUR 48,00

Extension of the residence permit for more than three months

Fee: EUR 93,00

Extension of residence permit for more than three months for minors 46.50 euros

Fee: EUR 46,50

You must apply to extend your residence permit in good time before it expires.

Apply for an extension of your residence permit in good time before it expires at your local immigration authority. You can find out about this from your local immigration office.

Application period: 1 month

As a rule, you will be informed of the duration of the procedure (approx. 6 to 8 weeks) by the responsible immigration authority when you apply for an extension.

Note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit.

The decision of the immigration authority can be appealed to the court named in the decision.

You will receive this from your local foreigners authority

Online procedure occasionally possible

Personal appearance required: yes

If you intend to stay in Germany permanently, the extension of the residence permit for temporary residence is not an option.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Thuringian Ministry for Migration, Justice and Consumer Protection (TMMJV)

17.03.2023

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.