Apply for an extension of your residence permit to attend a general education school

• 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

• Whilst you are in the country to attend school, you will generally only be granted a residence permit for a different purpose if you have a legal entitlement to do so, for example on the grounds of family reunification or to study. This also applies to the period following your schooling.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.
• Passport photographs are now only accepted in digital form. The passport photograph must be taken using a registration system on-site at the Migration Office, in a photography studio or by a photography service provider. It is not possible to present a digital passport photograph on your mobile phone. Further information is available on 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 your national passport’s validity. Please apply for a renewal in good time before your national passport expires.
• If you do not hold a valid national passport, you must provide evidence of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for any difficulties).
• Legal remedy:
  
  • Legal action

• National Passport / Proof of Identity
• A current biometric passport photo
• Proof of language course completion:
  
  • Proof of financial resources (e.g., blocked account, letter of financial commitment, etc.)
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Confirmation of enrollment and duration of the language course
  • Language certificates already obtained
• Proof of school attendance:
  
  • Proof of financial support (e.g., restricted account, letter of financial commitment, scholarship, etc.)
  • School certificate stating the period of attendance and, if applicable, the intended school-leaving qualification
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Rental agreement specifying the square meters for the student in question
  • Consent from a parent or legal guardian, if you are under 18 years of age

• Application for a residence permit (pdf, 233.6 KB)
  

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 kiosk.

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

8 weeks You should apply for an extension with the Office of Immigration no later than 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires.

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.

• § 16f Absatz 2 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG)
• § 8 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG)
• § 5 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz (- AufenthG)
• § 45 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)
• § 50 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)
• Section 50 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• Section 16f(2) of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Federal Territory (Residence Act – AufenthG)
• Section 45 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)
• Section 8 of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in Germany (Residence Act – AufenthG)
• Section 5 of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Federal Territory (Residence Act (AufenthG))

• Informationen zu Sprachkursen in Deutschland auf dem Portal "Make it in Germany" der Bundesregierung
• Informationen über Visa zum Spracherwerb auf dem Portal "Make it in Germany" der Bundesregierung
• Informationen des pädagogischen Austauschdienstes (PAD) der Kultusministerkonferenz
• Informationen für deutsche Gastfamilien
• Informationen für Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland auf dem Portal "Make it in Germany" der Bundesregierung
• Information on visas for language learning on the German Government’s “Make it in Germany” portal
• Information for skilled workers from abroad on the German Government’s ‘Make it in Germany’ portal
• Information from the Educational Exchange Service (PAD) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
• Information on language courses in Germany on the German government’s ‘Make it in Germany’ portal
• Information for German host families