Extend or change your residence status from inside Germany

Eligibility

Who it’s for: People in Germany on a residence permit, national visa or short stay who want to stay longer or change their purpose of stay.

• Apply before the permit ends

  Section 81(4) AufenthG: if you apply to extend before your residence title expires, or for another title, the title counts as continuing until the authority decides. This does not apply to a Schengen visa.

  Sign in to check this route against your profile

• Lawful stay without a title

  Section 81(3): if you are lawfully in Germany without a title and apply, your stay counts as permitted until the decision. If you apply late, deportation counts as suspended from the date of the application.

  Sign in to check this route against your profile

• Late applications

  Section 81(4): the authority may order that the old title continues, to avoid unreasonable hardship. This is a decision by the authority, not an automatic right.

  Sign in to check this route against your profile