Extension of a residence permit to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably in the original).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The foreigners authority orders the production of the eAT card from Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information 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.

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit. This means

• You wish to remain in Germany in order to complete an examination procedure that serves to fully recognise your foreign professional qualification.
• You can secure your living expenses and health insurance cover for the remainder of your stay from your own resources without claiming public benefits.
• You have language skills corresponding to the examination to be taken, but at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. An exception applies if the acquisition of language skills is the subject of the examination to be taken.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In principle, the extension of your residence permit requires the submission of the same documents as for the initial issue:

• Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of livelihood (e.g. from own assets, payment of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, declaration of commitment, scholarship, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, proof of parental income or similar)
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)
• For minors: Consent of all persons with custody rights to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody rights cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written authorisation from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has custody rights, the signature of this parent is sufficient

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration authority may require less or further proof.

You may have to provide the immigration authority with proof of your language skills again if the acquisition of language skills is not the subject of your examination.

• § Section 45 number 2 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• § Section 16d (5) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 7 Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 8 Residence Act (AufenthG)

If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice. The competent authority will enclose a statement with the decision. This statement will inform you of the legal remedy available against the decision, the body to which this legal remedy must be submitted and the deadline to be observed.

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

• The term examination covers examinations that are required to determine the equivalence of a foreign professional qualification with a domestic professional qualification. This includes language and specialised language examinations. In principle, it is also possible to take several examinations.
• There is no entitlement to a residence permit.
• The residence permit issued for the examination procedure does not authorise the holder to take up gainful employment.
• The procedure at the Foreigners' Registration 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 request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to the person concerned. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the cancellation of residence rights that have already been granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Residence permit for the purpose of training Extension to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification
• The residence permit for taking examinations for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification can be extended under certain circumstances.
• In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit.
• An extension of the residence permit is possible if the examination procedure has not yet been completed, but this goal can still be achieved within a reasonable period of time.
• Living expenses and health insurance cover must be secured for the duration of the stay without recourse to public benefits.
• An extension is excluded if the examinations cannot be taken within a reasonable period of time or if the extension was already excluded by the foreigners authority when the permit was issued or last extended.
• When the residence permit is extended, it is again limited in time, usually for the duration of the examination procedure.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• Information from the Federal Ministry of Education on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications
• Information portal of the Federal Government on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications

Ministry of the Interior and Sport