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Apply for an Extension of a Student Residence Permit

  • Schule, Ausbildung und Studium
  • Migration und Integration

You can have your residence permit for the purpose of studying extended before it expires if you meet certain requirements.

  • Basic information

    A residence permit for the purpose of studying is valid for a limited period. You may apply to extend your residence permit if you have not yet completed your degree but are able to do so within a reasonable period of time. The duration of stay is generally limited to a maximum of 10 years.

    When deciding on the extension of a residence permit for the purpose of studying, the Office of Immigration and Naturalization may solicit and take into account statements from the university or other institutions authorized to provide education or training. This applies to questions regarding:

    • Admission requirements
    • Course of study
    • Degree completion
    • other academic matters

    The same requirements apply to the extension of a residence permit for the purpose of studying as to its initial issuance. In particular, you must have sufficient means to support yourself for the duration of your studies.

    An extension is not possible if the Foreigners’ Registration Office has already ruled this out at the time of issuance or during the most recent extension.

    If your residence permit is extended, it will again be issued for a limited period. A residence permit for the purpose of studying is extended for at least one year and, as a rule, for a maximum of two years. If your studies last less than two years, the permit is issued for the duration of your studies.

    With your residence permit for the purpose of studying, you may work up to 140 days per year or engage in student part-time work without restriction.

    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.
    • Admission to a degree program
    • Your primary residence is in the city of Bremen

  • Procedure
    • The application and the required documents can be sent 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 for an in-person interview.

    More information

    Due to the complexity of residency 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, in 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 a renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.

    If you do not have 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

  • Necessary Documents
    • A current biometric passport photo
    • Documents related to your studies:
      • Proof of financial support (e.g., restricted account, letter of financial commitment, etc.)
      • Certificate of enrollment
      • Proof of health insurance
      • Proof of proper progress in the program
      • Proof of the likelihood of success in the program
    • Proof of enrollment in a preparatory program:
      • Proof of financial resources (e.g., blocked account, letter of financial commitment, etc.)
      • Proof of health insurance
      • Registration for the preparatory language course and admission to the degree program
      • Admission to the preparatory college

  • Competent Department

  • Forms

  • 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 self-service terminal on site.

  • 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 student residence permit expires.
    If a person participates in a European Union or multilateral program that includes mobility activities (such as the European Union’s ERASMUS+ program) or if an agreement between two or more higher education institutions applies to the foreign national, the residence permit is granted for at least two years or for the duration of the program, if the program lasts less than two years.

    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.

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

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

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