Apply for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of vocational training in school
You can have your residence permit for the purpose of vocational training at a school extended before it expires if you wish to continue your training in Germany.
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Basic information
A residence permit for the purpose of vocational training in school is a temporary residence permit. If your vocational training extends beyond the duration of the residence permit, you can apply to have it extended.
To extend your residence permit for the purpose of vocational training in a school setting, you must meet the same requirements as when you first applied.
Your residence permit will then be extended for the expected duration of the training.
An extension is not possible if the Foreigners’ Registration Office has already ruled this out at the time the permit was issued or during the most recent extension.
During a qualified vocational training program, you may work up to 20 hours per week in a job unrelated to your vocational training. Self-employment is not permitted.
Vocational training is considered “qualified”
- if the vocational training is state-recognized or if it is a comparably regulated vocational training program and
- if federal or state regulations stipulate a training period of at least 2 years.
If your qualified vocational training ends prematurely for reasons beyond your control, you are not required to leave Germany immediately. You may search for another training position in Germany for up to 6 months.
Requirements
- You have a residence permit
- You have a secure source of income and adequate health insurance coverage.
- Your identity and nationality have been verified.
- There are no grounds for deportation or an entry ban against you.
- You meet the passport requirement.
- You entered the country with the required visa. Your stay is lawful.
- Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
- You have your primary residence in the municipality of Bremen
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Procedure
- The application and the required documents can be submitted to us by email or mail.
- If necessary, the Immigration Office will request additional documents.
- If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment to come in for an interview.
More information
Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.
Passport photos are now accepted only in digital form. The passport photo must be taken using a registration system on-site at the Office of Migration, at a photo studio, or at a photo service provider. You cannot submit a digital passport photo from your cell phone. For more information, please visit our website. Limited exceptions to the biometric requirements are permitted for infants and young children.
A residence permit can only be issued for the duration of the national passport’s validity. Please apply for renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.
If you do not possess a valid national passport, you must provide evidence of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for any delays).
Legal Remedies:
- Appeal
- Lawsuit
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Necessary Documents
- National Passport / Proof of Identity
- A current biometric passport photo
- Proof of education or training:
- Employment Declaration (to be completed by the employer)
- If already available:
- Training or continuing education contract or confirmation from the employer stating personal information, salary, and the duration of the employment relationship. Any information not required may be blacked out in the employment contract.
- Current pay stub
- Proof of successful completion of the training or continuing education program
- Certificate of completion of the training or continuing education program
- If available: Proof of the scholarship
- Consent from a parent or legal guardian if you are under 18 years of age
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Competent Department
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Residence Aufenthalt
- +49 421 361-88630 (montags bis donnerstags von 08.00 Uhr bis 12.00 Uhr)
- Stresemannstraße 48, 28207 Bremen
- office
@migrationsamt. bremen. de
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Fees / Costs
96,00 EUR for extensions of up to 3 months
93,00 EUR if extended by more than 3 months
6,00 EUR in addition, for taking a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal. -
Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
8 weeks You should apply for a residence permit no later than 8 weeks before your current visa expires.
The residence permit will be extended for a limited period. Its validity is usually based on the duration of the education or training program.How long does it take to process
Once we receive your application, we will need some time to process and review it. Once the review is complete, we will get back to you.
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Legal Bases
- § 8 Absatz 1 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG)
- § 16a Absatz 2 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG)
- § 45 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)
- § 50 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)
- Section 16a(2) of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in Germany (Residence Act – AufenthG)
- Section 8(1) of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in Germany (Residence Act – AufenthG)
- Section 50 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
- Section 45 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)
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More Information
- Informationen der Bundesagentur für Arbeit über Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB)
- Anwendungshinweise des Bundesministeriums des Innern und für Heimat zum Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz
- Informationen des Bundesamtes für Migration und Flüchtlinge zu berufsbezogener Sprachförderung
- Portal der Bundesregierung für Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland, hier zum beschleunigten Fachkräfteverfahren
- Informationen für Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland auf dem Portal "Make it in Germany" der Bundesregierung
- The German Government’s portal for skilled workers from abroad; click here for the fast-track procedure for skilled workers
- Information from the Federal Employment Agency on vocational training grants (BAB)
- Guidance from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland on the Skilled Labour Immigration Act
- Information from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees on work-related language support
- Information for skilled workers from abroad on the German Government’s ‘Make it in Germany’ portal
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct.
Updated on 05.09.2026