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

• You are still looking for a training place to carry out qualified vocational training (vocational training in a state-recognized or comparably regulated training occupation for which a training period of at least two years is specified).
• This total period of validity of your residence permit of six months has not yet been exhausted. Alternatively, after leaving Germany you have stayed abroad for at least as long as you were previously in Germany on the basis of your residence permit.
• You have not yet reached the age of 25 at the time of application.
• You have a good knowledge of German at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• You have one of the following school-leaving qualifications:
  • Graduation from a German school abroad: the graduation obtained at a German school abroad must be a secondary school graduation (such as Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, entitlement to transfer to the gymnasiale Oberstufe, Fachhochschulreifeprüfung, Hochschulreifeprüfung or foreign school graduation entitling to study in Germany or, in any case, to study in the state in which the German school abroad is located).
  • School-leaving certificate entitling the holder to admission to higher education in the Federal Republic of Germany: This can be a German school leaving certificate acquired in the Federal Republic or a foreign school leaving certificate. The decisive factor is that the school-leaving qualification entitles the holder to access higher education (university and university of applied sciences) in Germany.
  • School-leaving qualification that entitles the holder to admission to higher education in the country in which the school-leaving qualification was obtained: This is to be determined by means of the anabin database. If the degree is listed in the anabin database, a formal examination of the certificate is not required. Only if the degree is not listed in the anabin database can it be examined on a case-by-case basis by way of individual examination by the competent certificate recognition bodies of the Länder.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage from your own resources without recourse to public benefits.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.

• The extension of the residence permit is at the discretion of the competent foreigners authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision free of discretionary errors.
• While holding the residence permit, gainful employment is not permitted.

• If the search for a training place is discontinued, a change in the purpose of residence is generally only possible to employment as a skilled worker in accordance with §§ 18a (skilled workers with vocational training) or § 18b (skilled workers with academic training) of the Residence Act and in cases of legal entitlement (for example for the purpose of studying). This does not affect the possibility of changing to a residence for the purpose of qualified vocational training (Section 16a Residence Act) after the search has been successfully completed.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Aliens' Registration 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 disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.