As a non-EU Citizen you can apply for a temporary visa extension (up to 3 months) to remain in Germany whilst your residence visa application is being processed, or simply because you want to spend additional time in Germany after your Schengen visa expires (90 days in every 180 days).
Tip: If you are visiting Hamburg, Germany or other EU-member states on a Schengen visitor visa and wish to stay in Germany for an additional 90 days after the end of your Schengen visa consider applying for a temporary visa extension from Welcome Center Hamburg.
You can pick up this short-term visa extension paper without appointment at the Welcome Center Hamburg. Bring your passport and the filled application form Application for the issue / renewal of a residence permit (available from Hamburg.de > Application forms), there are also blank applications available from the information desk.
The general requirement for this temporary visa extension is that you have submitted your residence visa application before requesting a temporary visa, this makes sense except where you are yet to submit your residence visa application and need to travel abroad; in this case an extension can be approved in exceptional cases.
Update: You cannot travel outside of Germany, in any circumstance if your temporary visa extension has ‘Gilt nicht für Auslandsreisen’ (Not valid for travel abroad) printed on it. Mine did and because of this applied for a Working-Holiday visa (available to ‘best-friend’ nations of Germany for under 30 year olds) which allows for immediate international travel.
This visa extension doesn’t allow international travel unless stated otherwise so there may be issues at immigration when leaving or returning to Germany when traveling with this visa extension paper, therefore you are discouraged to travel outside of Germany unless absolutely necessary.
Update: See notice above, you cannot re-enter Germany after your Schengen visa has expired with this paper. You could leave Germany a day before your last Shengen visa calendar day and may be able to re-enter on the last calendar day. I’m not putting this one to the test… 😉
Hi,
I have recently finished my studies and as I am living in a student apartment my rent contract (Miete vertrag) is also over since the completion of my studies. However, I have not been contacted by the hausmeister or the responsible person for the contract.
Now my issue is: I have a visa appointment next week on 04. Feb 2021 for my visa extension and they have specifically asked me to submit a rent contract. But I am sure that the foreign office will not accept the contract as the contract clearly says ” the contract will be over as soon as the studies are over.”
In this situation, what should I do as I do not have a proper rent contract.?
Please provide me a response as soon as possible.
Hello, and thank you for this dialogue!
I am a foreigner visiting my fiance in Bonn Germany during the COVID-19 crisis. I would like to extend my stay past 90 days which will be up at the beginning of June. I have the financial means to stay here, and I have health insurance. I came in on my American passport but I also have a Canadian passport and an expired British Passport. What would you recommend I do to extend my stay? I do not wish to have a “shotgun” corona wedding! Thank you for your help.
Hello, Currently I’m in the UK with a tier 4 student visa with my wife until January 2020. I need to apply for an internship visa in Germany, the idea is to start this internship in September. I have already booked an appointment in the consulate here in London but I don’t know how many days I have to wait for that visa, do you know how long that will take? and also, my wife, she is going to travel to German with a tourist visa (90 days) but my work will be last 3 months and 3 weeks. could she apply an extension visa of her tourist visa for that 3 weeks?
Thanks!
Hi Sir , My friend is from Vietnam . She was misguided for a work permit visa and landed in January this year . She had validity till February this year . She has mortgaged all her property in Vietnam for a work in Germany . By then she realized she has been cheated , her VISA got expired .
She had been put under ground and forced to work which she don’t like . Where ever she is approaching for good work ,she has been denied .
She is suffering a lot and willing to take steep decision .She doesnot want to go back as she lost all her property .She some how wants to earn money she lost and willing to go back .
Is there any way for her . I want her to legally work .Can she apply for VISA extension .
Kindly reply as early as possible .
Hi Jagadish, your friend is best speaking directly with German immigration. A temporary visa extension is simply a stopgap between being issued a valid long-term residency visa or extending a short-stay due to extenuating circumstances.
Hi Sir or Madam
I am having the same temporary visa, and due to some emergency i had traveled outside germany and now i am not allowed to go back to germany.
can you suggest me what should i do
Hello Mr. Michael
I am from india. I have a multiple business visa that expires 27th July. My customer has given the tentative schedule as last week of July. I am planning to start from India around 25th of July but can i extend the business visa to another three months before i start from india. I have a multipe entry visa. Is it possible to extend my visa?
Hi Balaji, you’re best to reach out to German immigration before you leave as you may need to re-apply for your business visa if a temporary visa extension cannot be issued.
Dear Michael,
I am a Moroccan national in a French university and will be going to Germany for an 8 Months mandatory Internship. The company in Bonn is taking care of the work permit for me but I have to take care of any Visa business myself.
Regarding the visa, I hold a Schengen Visa Type D from the French embassy for my studies and I know I can go to Germany and be on German soil only for 90days. I also know that I can apply for an internship Visa because Its mandatory for my case in order to graduate.
My internship is supposed to start on the 15/07/2019 and I tried to book an appointment online (only way to book one) to deposit my Visa in the German embassy in Paris but the appointments are all booked until late October (25/10/2019).
I tried to contact the Visa department in Paris but the only way for me to book an appointment or to actually contact the Visa department is only thru the website and everything is already booked. I also do not think I can postpone my internship deadline for long.
Can you please tell me if there any procedure I might undertake in order for me to stay longer for 90 days while I am in Germany ? Any other information would be helpfull to me.
sir, thank you in advance
Best Regards
Hello please can I extend my tourist visa whiles in Gernamy? I was giving twenty one days whiles I wish to spend two months
Hi Roberto, unfortunately you will need an extenuating reason for a temporary visa extension to be issued, reach out to your nearest German immigration office and they can help. 🙂
I am currently working on Research project. However, my wife with 3 yrs. old son is on tourist visa and now I need extension for them. Whole process to apply and get a new visa for family reunion from India take several months. For that duration, I need visa extension.
Is there any possibility to extend the tourist visa for the family from Germany itself?
Hello Michael, can I extend my visit visa to a working visa because I have a job order in Germany in one of the company
Hi I’m regine I have a question I have a Philippine passport but I’m a hongkong resident I go to Germany April 27 2019 and my schengen visa is til April 27 2019 til May 22 2019 Is there any possible I can stay until May 22 2019? but it say on my visa my duration of stay is 11 days
Hi, I’m master student in Turkey. I will go to Belgium on 30 May 2019 for traineeship and it will end up on 3 August. Then, I will move to Münster/Germany for German Language Course (between 5-28 August) with DAAD scholarship. I have schengen visa from Belgium until 12 September. I am planning to return Turkey in September but I will go to Osnabrück/Germany for Erasmus Mobility program on 20 September and I need long stay visa. My question is about my long stay visa application. Can I apply long stay visa in Germany for Germany?
Thank you!
Best regard…
Hello
Am From Ghana and trying to travel to Germany to a host friend. I would like to stay longer than three months! Please what type of Visa should I apply for?
Also can I work on organic farms as a volunteer once I get to Germany?
Hi Roberto, thanks for asking. As a Shenghen visa holder you can stay in Germany up to 3 months on the Shenghen visa without issue. You’re best contacting your nearest German Consulate or Embassy to confirm what visa opportunities are available to you for long-term stay in Germany, e.g. an Internship/Training/Language course visa may enable you to study German and/or volunteer to work on organic farms in Germany. As above you’re best confirming this with the Consulate/Embassy.
Hi, Mr. Visser. My problem is my girlfriend is a Korean passport holder. And she has visited me since 26th Feb., she does not need visa to enter Germany however she only have 90 days visa-free in Schengen area. She would like to stay a little longer than 90 days till my graduation on 10th June. In this case, is that possible to get a temporary visa extension in local immigration. Btw we live in Bremen so far. Thank you for your advance.
Dear Micheal
My son who is 15 years old is currently attached to a Football School in Konigsbach . As a Malaysian Pasport Holder he can stay in Germany for 90 days visa free. His Application for National Visa had been rejected and the School intends to reapply.
In the meantime he is playing football and attending school there. The 90 days is expiring on 14th April, but as the School and Football League is continuing till June 2019, can we get a extension of stay for another 60 days citing the above reasons at the Alliens Authority in Germany. Thank you so much for your assistance.
Hi Vigneswaran, thanks for asking, I would visit German immigration directly with a member of staff from your son’s football school to explain the circumstances. Your son’s school can vouch for your request and can liason with German immmigration in processing these requests. German immigration can issue a temporary visa extension to allow your son to complete his studies/activities in Germany regardless of the outcome from the Aliens Authority. Take all supporting documentation including financial statements, school and accomodation receipts, proof of attendance at his school, etc. to support your son’s request for a temporary visa extension. 🙂
Hi, I am a Turkish student in Germany, my student visa ends on the 31st of March, my appointment for a residence permit is on the 26th of March. I booked my appointment for the residence permit on March 12th. (19 days before expiration). As the dates are too close, I believe I need to apply for a temporary visa extension until I get my residence. Do you think getting an extension will be possible in this circumstance?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Esra, thanks for asking. German immigration can issue a temporary visa extension on the spot so I wouldn’t be concerned with that 19 days until expiry issue, they may issue you a temporary visa extension there on 12/03 if required. If it gets down to a week left until expiry of your current visa then yes start with the alarm bells and visit your nearest German immigration office immediately. Wishing you all the best in Germany! 🙂
Dear sir its M singh from India. My son has reached Germany on 18th Jan 2019 on student VISA for appearing in entrance test of Marburg university. He appeared in entrance test for studeonkolleg of Marburg university but could not clear the exam. On 25th Feb. he joined 2 month language course in Marburg . Based on that he applied for residence permit last week but got the interview date in month of May 2019. His 90 days stay in Germany will expire on 17 April 2019. Though his visa is valid for 9 months but not more than 90 days at a stretch. Can you please advise whether he can exceed 90 days limit awiting the decision on his application for residence permit.
Hi Malkeet, thanks for asking, you son simply needs to prepare his supporting documentation (documents from College/University/language school, financial documents, residency address, etc.) and present himself to his nearest immigration office in Germany where they can issue a temporary visa extension on the spot to cover this gap period until his appointment and new residence is processed. Temporary visa extensions can be issued on-demand as they are required. He must have a current residence visa (be that a temporary visa extension or any other residence visa) at all times within Germany, without it he is liable for removal from Germany and a travel ban may be applied so this needs to be taken seriously. Just so he has all possible options available I recommend taking a native German speaker along with him to immigration as every little bit helps! 🙂
Hi Michael,
I came to Dortmund 3 months back for employment along with my family. My family had temporary visa extension. they travel back to india due to practical problems. Now my wife is planned to travel by this month but unfortunately she losses her temporary visa extension copy in india. now we dont have any clue how she can travel back. can you please suggest any idea.
Hi Chandra, thanks for asking. Contact German immigration directly as they will be able to reproduce another temporary visa extension, my concern is that typically temporary visa extensions in Germany do not permit re-enter into Germany. Can you confirm that a condition was applied to that temporary visa extension allowing re-entry into Germany? As above they’ll have it all on record, go to the same immigration office and have all of your supporting documentation as they will likely contact the Embassy/Consultate in India and produce the new document there. An alternate solution is for your wife to re-enter Germany as a tourist and then you both present yourselves to the same German immigration office to get around the Embassy/Consultate logistics issue in India… I wish you all the best here, keep talking to German immigration as they can help you.
Hello Michael Visser,
I am an Indian passport holder. I was in Germany as a student of the master’s degree course for 3 years (2013-2016) and then for 18 months of job seeker visa (2016-Dec 2017). Upon my job seeker visa expiry, I went to an immigration officer and explained I was unable to secure a permanent job contract (a Ph.D. contract in my case). They issued a detailed letter to me explaining my immigration situation from 2013-2017 and then a fiction certificate to me valid until 17/03/2018 ( with third box ticked, “der Aufenthaltstitel als fortbestehend § 81(4)
AufenthG” (“the residence permit remains in effect (Section 81, paragraph 4,
AufenthG)” )
However, I left Germany on 12/03/2018 and haven’t returned since. to inform you, I have no deportation stamp on my passport.
My question is, I am applying for Permanent residency for Canada if there is a question about “have you ever been deported from any other country..” what should I mention in my answer?
Hi Dhaivat, you are only ever considered deported where you are taken into custody and forcibly removed from a country. This is not your case so there is no issue with this interfering with your Canadian permanent residency application. Just as in your case my Entrepreneur visa extension in Denmark was denied and I was given 28 days to leave Denmark, I left Denmark a week before the stated date so I was considered to be deported either. Regarding the missing exit stamp you can provide receipt of your flight ticket or travel and accomodation arrangements outside of Germany on that given date to support you if required. I hope this helps and all the best in Canada! 🙂
hi I am a Nigerian going for summer school program in Germany by July nd d program Is till August so am just wondering will I be given a student Visa or a tourist visit since its summer school just for a month?
Hi! I am applying for a German student visa. My IELTS certificate expired on 7th January, 2019 and the visa interview is in May, 2019. Can I use a language proficiency letter issued by the university instead?
I have got a student visa for 4 months but my study period which was suppose to be 4 months got extended to 5 months, how can I extend my visa period by one month?
Hi Ronit, speak with your College/University immediately as they can liason directly with immigration in Germany to either adjust your existing residence visa or issue you a temporary visaa extension for the required period. Get onto it quick though as if they fail to do the above you can always approach immigration directly and present your updated study period as supporting documentation along with other documentation (e.g. letters from your College/University, financial statements, rent receipts/past invoices, etc.) to support your application and they can issue you a temporary visa extension on the spot so that you can complete your studies in Germany. 🙂
Hello Viser
Is it possible to visit your fiance on a 90 day Visa then get married and extend your stay if they stay in a Schengen member state?
Hi Shuvai, thanks for asking. You have asked multiple questions so for others I’ll answer them separately. First of all on arrival to Germany visit your nearest immigration office and find out what they need once you are married, then approach the Citizen’s office (e.g. Welcome Center Hamburg) and ask the same thing regarding marriage requirements in that region.
If your spouse is a German Citizen and you are lawfully allowed to enter Germany on a tourist visa (Schengen visa) then yes you can start the process to get married during your stay. Please note that as a non-EU Citizen you will need to provide additional supporting documentation over and above what EU Citizens need to supply including:
– a Ehefähigkeitszeugnis (Ceritifcate of No Impediment) supplied by your country of residence and in some cases past-residence where you have spent over 12 months in another country
– financial documents including salary statements and/or bank statements, character references including criminal checks in your country of residence
– supporting documents translated to German by officially appointed translators
– some regions within Germany require you to both have officially registered addresses (Anmeldung) which is difficult to get as a tourist (difficult… not impossible)
After your marriage is certified at a Standesamt (registry office) you can then visit your nearest immigration office and they will process your long-term residence visa so you can start your new life in Germany, if required immigration will issue you a temporary residence visa so you can continue to reside in Germany while your long-term residence visa application is being processed. 🙂
Hello Visser.
My younger brother a 27 Ur old, Nigerian passport holder just traveled to Germany 2 weeks ago on a 90 days Schengen visa which was issued here in Nigeria.
But now called me from Bonn 3 days ago that he wants to change his status from a tourist in Germany, that he wishes to stay and study in Germany for now.
Please what does he need to do to achieve this aim of his.
Warm regards…..
Hi Yemi, thanks for asking. Bonn should visit the local immigration office and speak with an immigration officer who can explain what he must do if he wishes to transition from a tourist visa to a long-term residence visa. He may still need to return to his home country in order to provide biometric data and have his visa application processed.
Bonn may wish to look at German language studies in the interim while he organises full-time studies with a German College/University who can help him with preparations for his residence visa. I hope this helps! 🙂
Thanks Visser, I appreciate your help.
Hello,
My name is Vishal. I am doing my masters in Heidelberg. Currently I am doing my internship in Wuppertal. My visa will expire on march 31st. My internship also will finish on march 31st. I am staying in Company’s guest house. Now I am searching for my master thesis. But I didn’t got yet. So how to extend my visa atleast for one month and where do I extend my visa (Heidelberg or Wuppertal). I will get student contract from my university. But I dont know what to do in this situation. Please give me some suggestions.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Vishal, thanks for asking! Since you’ve already been living in Germany and plan to transition to another residence visa there should be little trouble requesting a temporary visa to cover this period of time. Take along all supporting documentation including a reference from your University/College that you intend to continue studies as it will carry alot of weight. Visit immigration right away in Wuppertal and explain your circumstances and if needed take a German speaker with you to support your request, it doesn’t matter who issues you the temporary visa as it is nationwide, do be aware though you will likely not be able to leave and re-enter Germany on this temporary visa.
Hello I’m currently getting out the military next month and will try to stay here with my wife for a total of 180 days. I’m located in the Kaiserslautern area. I know that I can stay for 90 days as a tourists but my wife Is military and won’t be able to keep me here under sofa stauts . I help her support housing and utilities. I will be able to provide for my own healthcare and will be going to school on base and will be able to have my own income due to retirement and using my Gi bill. I want to know how like would I be able to extend for 3 more months after my 90 days within Germany until my wife leaves under orders?
Hi Louis, thanks for asking. Due to your circumstances you will be best assisted by speaking with German immigration directly (as always take all supporting documentation with you and if possible a German speaking colleague), you will also be supported by speaking with any liason you have on base who may be able to assist in organising a temporary visa be issued for your remaining stay in Germany. Alternatively look at any neighbouring countries that might issue a residence visa for that amount of time and allow you to enter/re-enter Germany. I hope this helps!
Hello,
My name is Vishal. I am doing my masters in Heidelberg. Currently I am doing my internship in Wuppertal. My visa will expire on march 31st. My internship also will finish on march 31st. I am staying in Company’s guest house. Now I am searching for my master thesis. But I didn’t got yet. So how to extend my visa atleast for one month and where do I extend my visa (Heidelberg or Wuppertal). I will get student contract from my university. But I dont know what to do in this situation. Please give me some suggestions.
Thank you in advance.
Hello,
Can i aplly for tourist visa for my wife while her family reunion visa application is in progress. Since it takes month so thought of using this time on tourist visa. Is it possible?
Also how many times a year can i apply for tourist visa (90 days each) for my wife?
Hi Rachit, you’re best confirming this with German immigration directly as some visa’s can only be issued to individuals whilst outside the country; this is done as their biometrics are collected in their home country before coming to Germany.
If they give you the green light and the Schengen tourist visa extends to her current country of residence then yes she could visit for up to 90 days within the calendar year.
As above speak to German immigration as they may have other visa options available to support you both during this extended visa processing process, take all supporting documentation with you to support your case (e.g. financial, accomodation, employment, personal references and a German speaker if possible).
Hello!
I am an indian living in Stuttgart, Germany since 2017.
Our son was born in Stuttgart in May 2018 and my work VISA is valid till 2019.
Has our son any possibility of becoming a German citizen in future even after our return to India?
Hi Vaibhav, firstly congratulations! You need to speak with an immigration lawyer and know where you stand, this isn’t something you can find on a Google search so make it a priority. I would approach immigration too as they may able to help but definitely make an appointment with an immigration lawyer in Germany right away, the longer you leave it the less possibility there is for professionals to help you and your family.
Hello
I am a Canadian that is on the last month of the Youth Mobility Visa in Germany(second year).
I would like to know what would be the best available option that allows me to stay in Germany for one more year?
Is there a Visa that I can apply for from Germany?
Thank you
Hi Q., you can approach immigration and explain your circumstances and that you wish to permanently reside in Germany and they may issue you a temporary visa extension (of say a month) to give you time to speak with an immigration office and/or immigration lawyer to decide on a new residence visa that suits your needs. The ‘Freelancer’ visa is an obvious one to consider if you skills whereby you can support yourself with German clients otherwise a traditional job seeker or work residence visa will allow you to find work and continue to reside in Germany. In all cases speak to immigration and get them involved, they’re there to help you and if you are met by hostility by immigration bring along a German speaking friend or consider visiting an immigration office in a larger city and blame the other one! Hope this helps! 🙂
Hello, I am from morocco i was in germany for one semester studies, and know i am doing another semester here but my visa expires by the end of the first one and i don’t know where to go to extend it.
I live in Wolfenbüttel.
Hi Marouane, immigration can extend your residence visa but they’ll require a completed document by your university confirming your continued studies. It’s weird that they made it valid only for the first semester, speak to immigration in any case urgently then approach your university and get them to help you. Hope this helps! 🙂
Hi Sir, My name is Savani. I am from.India.I am currently staying in Germany with the Visa category ‘Bundesfreiwilligendienst’. My visa expires on 20th February 2019. I have applied for Ausbildung at many places here. I have also got entrance confirmation from few places. Can I change my current visa category from Bundesfreiwilligendienst to Job seekers visa for searching a Ausbildung? And is there also a posibility of extending my visa under this category of Temperory Visa extension for foreigners in Germany?
I would be really really thankful for your reply.
With best regards
Savani
Hi Savani, if you approach immigration and ask them to consider your circumstance they can issue a temporary visa extension to give you time to apply for a German new long-term/permanent visa. Please note that they may refuse to issue a temporary visa extension if there are restrictions on transitioning to other residence visa’s on your current Bundesfreiwilligendienst visa. As always take all neccesary evidence of income/ability to support yourself as well as personal references from German Citizens, if neccesary bring a German native speaker who can speak on your behalf. 🙂
Hi Michael, I have been offered Europe Tour from my company with my other colleagues and German Embassy has issued us 1-Week visit visa, now we want to extend our visa for atleast one week more to visit & explore more places & countries, please share procedure to how to secure extension in our case.
Hi Ali, unfortunately German immigration will be unlikely to issue an extension for leisure purposes only, if you could make a case of exceptional circumstances (e.g. adverse weather affected your visit, medical problems, etc.) you might have a chance.
Hi Michael,
I live in Frankfurt and have been living in Airbnbs for a month each since past few months. Every time I shift to a new place, I get myself registered. I landed a job here and shared my contract with authorities for a Visa conversion – Job Seeker to Residence Permit.
I gave them to process on 13 Dec and yesterday, they told me they would send my application to Auslanderbehoerde in Bad Schwalbach (as per my current area of residence). When I visited their website, it is mentioned in bold that they take 8 weeks to process and one cannot go without appointment.
My Job Seeker Visa expires on 8-Mar-2019 and I don’t have 8 weeks here! What do I do? Besides, I shift to another accommodation for Feb. Does this mean they would again transfer my case to that area’s Auslanderbehoerde? Can they not issue a temporary paper or something so I could at least start my work? Or can they extend my Job Seeker Visa? What is feasible and how do I go for it and where?
Please guide me as you can… much appreciated!!
Regards,
Sneha
Hi Sneha, thanks for asking. I recommmend you phone the Auslanderbehoerde in Bad Schwalbach directly and ask for an emergency appointment or to let you know of any appointment cancellations as many appointments are not attended. If you are issued a temporary visa extension they may be able to attach working conditions to it but that’s between you and your immigration case officer. Start making some phone calls or if I were in your position visit the Auslanderbehoerde directly, be that in your current city and/or your next city of residence. Immigration are there to help you but you need to reach out to them otherwise you will be required to leave Germany until your new residence visa commences.
Thanks a lot for your guidance Michael! I believe so too that it’s a good idea to speak to them directly or go there and emphasize the gravity of my situation.
Regards,
Sneha
Hi Michael,
I am German and met my girlfriend traveling in Mexico (She is Mexican). From Mexico we took a flight to Italy early in December, spend a few days there and took another flight to Germany. She didn’t need a visa to enter to Europe as a tourist but her 90 days period will end the 27th of February.
At the moment we are checking options for her to stay longer in Germany. We are considering a visa for an intensive German course and even marriage but it seems that both of these options require her to fly back to Mexico first and then apply for either the visa for studying German, the visa to get married or even if we would merry in another European country, it seems like she would still first need to go back and apply for a visa to unite the family. According to the internet all of these visa options take at least six to eight weeks to process which seems a really long time to us…
Is there any possibility to extend her stay in Germany with one of these or another option without flying back to Mexico first?
Hi Peter, great question! You’re facing what we call a “shotgun wedding” which you can excercise if you wish. All you need to do is go to a wedding celebrant in Germany, get married and receive the proper signed documentation from the celebrant then go to the immigration office in your nearest town/city and present yourselves. Your wife will be issued a residence visa to allow her to live with you and in time progress to a permanent resident. From my understanding of when my wife and I considered the “shotgun wedding” option in Hamburg no return visit to Australia or New Zealand was required as different rules apply if you are both currently within Germany on valid visa’s (a tourist visa is considered a valid temporary visa).
Visit your local immigration office and ask them how they can help, your wife will not be required to return to Mexico in order to supply documents which are processed in Germany, that just seems silly! In the worst case immigration can issue your future wife a temporary residence visa to remain in Germany for the duration of time required to process her visa application. I hope this helps!
Hallo
my husband is leaving in germany as student visa and he is doing is master thesis. i came here on visitor visa my visa is valid till 7th feb. 2019. Now i got one interview in dortmund for the phd but this interview will be on 13feb. 2019 is it possible to extend the visa for seven days more to finish the interview. i already booked my return ticket on 20th january but i can extend my ticket.
please help me with is it possible to extend visa for 10 days ?
Hi Raji, yes you should be able to get a temporary visa extension to cover this period of time. Please go to your nearest immigration office as soon as possible and explain these circumstances and that you wish to reside long-term in Germany and they will assist you. As mentioned to others please take as much documentation to support your application including financial documents, proof of income or financial support, plane tickets, rental contracts, etc.
Thank you so much for the information but i gave the passport to the auslander office. and some appropriate documents. i have question regarding passport back . when will i get my passport back.
i came here on the visitor and then i applied for phd position and i got the reply form university. now my visa is finished on 7th deb. 2019 and my last interview on 13th Feb. 2019. I proceed with my passport to extend the visa and they took my passport. i also paid 30 euro for visa again. so is it any problem to get the visa.
i attached my husband salary sleeps and house contract.
so please tell me is it ok or i have to attach something else ?
thank you in advance
Dear Visser,
Presently I am holding Job seeker which is valid till 28th February 2019. I have an offer of Employement in Germany starting from 15th March 2019. I am planning to apply for EU Blue card in the first week of February.Is it possible to extend my Job seeker Visa till 15th March 2019 or is it possible for me to stay in Germany as my application will be pending with the Immigration office after applying for the Blue Card in the First week of February. Please advise.
Awaiting your reply.
Regards,
Ajay
Hi Ajay, yes you can be issued a temporary residence visa for this period of time, you will be restricted to staying within Germany during this time until your new residence visa is issued. As above please take as much supporting documentation (financial, rental contracts, references, job offers, personal contacts in Germany, etc.) to support your application for an extension.
Hi, Thanks for this article,
I have a job offer in Germany and i am to resume next month. Is it possible to travel with a Schengen Visa first then process a longer stay?
If you can enter Germany on a Schengen/tourist visa then definitely! You won’t be able to re-commence work on a tourist visa but can use that time and/or request a temporary residence visa if required to transition to your permanent work visa.
Hi my mother is visiting my brother stationed near Frankfurt Germany. She is a US citizen and arrived on 23September 2019 she travelled to Ireland on 04November 2019 and returned to Germany 21November 2019. She would like to return to the US on Janurary 17 which would exceed the 90 days. What are the reprocussions of overstaying? Is there a way she extend her stay legally? is she able to do this near Ramstein or Frankfurt?
Hi May, thanks for asking, you could give it a try with your local immigration office and see if they’ll issue a temporary residence visa to cover that period until she leaves but as part of the trip has been for recreation outside of Germany they can decline it. I would leave that visit to Ireland out of the conversation with immigration and focus on the spending time with family bit.
Do not overstay or her future chances of being issued a tourist visa will be severely diminished.
Dear Sir,
I have got a Schengen Visa ‘Besuchsvisum” for 12 days to visit a seminar for Hygeine in a hospital at Bremen.
The visa is valid for on month although (19 March-21 April 2019). After this seminar I am going to have another course for three months till August. I have B2 certificate and currently working as internal medicine specialist in Afghanistan.
Can the visa be extended for another 3 months or can I get a temporary visa after completion of Schengen Visa and how many days it will take?
I would be very grateful to you for your response.
Sincerely,
Dr. Omid
Hi Ahmad, it’s worth asking German immigration when you arrive in Germany. Everything is easier in-country vs. contacting their telephone number or coordinating via their Embassies/Consulate’s. Take along evidence of your studies in Germany, bank statements, references from home and Germany and work contracts, etc. that you have from Afghanistan and visit the Bremen or Hamburg immigration office. Explain your circumstances and they’ll help you, if they cannot consider applying for a temporary visa in a neighboring country (e.g. Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, etc.) until such time that you can re-enter Germany for your studies.
Hi,
I am from the Philippines and my Visitor Visa is only valid until January 16, 2019. Do you think I can still extend it under the following conditions:
1. My health insurance for my visit is only valid on the same date as my visa.
2. I mentioned that I will be returning to the Philippines on January 2, 2019 together with my letter of approval from by boss at work for my leave of absence.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Pika, thanks for asking, since you’re only asking for a fortnight longer I think you have a good chance of receiving an extension. You need to show them your new itinerary (tickets, receipts, etc.) as well as new insurance policy that covers that two week period until you depart Germany, take long evidence of income and that you can support yourself during this period. Give it a shot and let us know how you go!
Hi Michael,
I have pre approval letter from German consultancy which is valid till September,2021. The temporary visa for ICT was issued for me to travel to Germany. This is valid till 3rd Jan 2019. My company has applied for the resident permit with the business immigration services office. but because of Christmas holidays the appointment is not scheduled before 3rd Jan. Is it legal to stay in Germany in this case after January 3rd?
Hi Antika, if your temporary visa expires on 3rd of Jan then you must be outside of Germany by the 4th of Jan, that’s the rule and unless you have a renewed temporary visa that will be what you must do, staying in Germany without a valid visa will lead to your removal, even if you have a good reason. Without a valid visa you must leave Germany until your renewed temporary residence visa is issued then re-enter or if you are able excercise your Schengen visa ability to stay in Germany as a tourist.
There will definitely be an emergency contact available for immigration issues like what you are now facing so contact them and have them issue an extension (it can be done on the spot and from memory requires a payment of ~30 EUR and a copy of your passport). Get onto it! The longer you wait the more likely the possibility that you will need to find alternate accomodation outside of Germany until your temporary residence visa is re-issued.
Hi Michael,
From where this temporary visa would be issued in Berlin? Do I need any appointments for this?
You’ll need to do the hard work on that one, I got mine issued at Welcome Center Hamburg and they did it on the spot, without an appointment.
I am a Indian came here at Germany to open a new company GMBH ,my Visa going to expired in the month of December. But still my company opening process not completed because of Christmas holidays I am going struck here .I want to extend my Visa till January company opening process complete. So where should I cantact any idea or address where I can extend my Visa till January
Hi Mervin, you’re in the same basket as Ankita, see my above response. Contact immigration or visit your local police station if required and ask them to connect you to the emergency immigration contact who can issue you a temporary visa until January, this should have been done before the holidays so it won’t be easy but persist and you’ll be fine otherwise consider a vacation outside of Germany until the immigration office re-opens then see them (you will need a valid Schengen visa to travel outside of Germany and to re-enter if your temporary residence visa has expired).
Hi Michael,
I am a US citizen and hold a US passport and currently living in Berlin. I have registered and applied for my resident visa, but I have not heard yet about it being ready. I am now past my 90 days from entering the country, but need to head back to the states in two weeks. Would I be able to apply for an extension on my tourist visa to head back for personal reasons, while I am still waiting on my resident visa? I thought by now it would be ready, but it is making me nervous that I have not heard about it being ready yet.
Hello Michael!
My fiancé is a US-Citizen and I am from Germany. We are in the last steps of the Fiancé Visa Process for the USA, we just have it wait another 1-2 months from now on. My fiancé entered the Schengen Zone one September and has to leave on the 02 December. I just heated from this extension yesterday for the first time and now I am wondering if this visa extension takes up to months or if we are going to be able to get it before he has to leave.
On the welcome center Hamburg website it says that an appointment is necessary and that it can take months to get one.
What do you think, is there any way to have my fiancé here with me for the last weeks of the process?
Hi Naiara, you’re right it can take months for a scheduled appointment at Welcome Center Hamburg but they have cancellations all of the time so visit them in-person and ask to take a cancelled appointment ASAP and they’ll slot you in.
If you are currently working in Germany you could always go the “shotgun wedding” route and get married right now in Hamburg at the town hall or available registrar then your husband just needs to go with you to the nearest immigration office and bring along your marriage certificate to be issued his residence visa on the spot.
Hi Michael,
I got a schengen visa to visit Germany for business. I found that now that I might have to extend my visit by a week to visit more customers. Is it possible to extend the visa in this case?
Hi Navram, it is worth contacting your nearest immigration office in person, explain the circumstances and that you have encountered a delay outside of your control during your trip and require an additional two weeks to conclude your business before returning home.
Hello Sir/ Ma’am,
I am Abhijith an Indian studying in Germany. I have requested for my visa extension and have not received any reply and I have booked my tickets to India and would be returning back after 2 months. But my current visa would have been expired by then. In case I do not get an appointment in the foreign office, is there any way I can apply for extension from India? I still have a semester to complete in my university.
Hi Abhijith, thanks for asking. Unfortunately my experience is limited to the temporary visa extension which does not allow for travel outside of Germany meaning if you applied for it you would need to stay in Germany until your new residence visa is approved.
In any case I would recommend you go to your nearest immigration office directly and speak with them rather than call and/or wait for an appointment as it needs to resolved with urgency. Explain your circumstances to an immigration case officer and provide them as much material evidence for them to properly assist you. I wish you all the best, if you don’t get a satisfied outcome on the first visit keep trying!
Hi Michael! I’m an Indian national and my husband is working in Germany with a Bluecard. Until recently I was working in London, where I applied for a German family reunion visa in April. I have not received a decision on that yet. In the meantime I got Schengen visa and came to Germany to be with my husband. Because my resident visa is still being processed and has extended way past the normal timeline, can I apply for an extension on my Schengen here? Any advice will be most helpful.
Hi Juhi, thanks for asking. I’m not familiar with the Bluecard visa scheme but since there’s a delay in the processing of your family reunification visa you’ve got a good chance.
Visit your nearest immigration office and ask them to issue you a temporary visa extension so you can reside with your hushand in Germany while you await an outcome. As above, take along as much evidence (proof of income, references, contracts, etc.) to support your application. Do keep in mind this visa extension will mean you cannot travel outside Germany for the duration of your visa extension or until a residence visa is granted.
Thanks Michael! I’m going to the immigration office soon and I will surely post my experience here.
Hello! Here to report that extension for Schengen was not granted. This was at the Zwickau auslandbehorde. They said we cannot extend Schengen visa only visas specifically for Germany can be extended. I have no way of knowing if this is true.. so I guess I’m going home.
Hi Juhi, there is no temporary extension for Schengen visa’s, there is an temporary visa extension that can be issued for you to remain in Germany. That can be issued on the spot. Note you will not be allowed outside of Germany for the duration of this visa and if you leave Germany within this period you will not be allowed back in without a valid visa.
I explained to Welcome Center Hamburg that I intended to transition to a Working Holiday visa in some months and was given the time to do this (I had entered Germany as a tourist on a Schengen visa), consider visiting the same immigration office again and explain that you intend to apply for a German residence visa and understand that you will not be able to travel outside of Germany during this time or get on the bus/train to Leipzig or Dresden as the smaller offices might not be aware of the temporary visa extension that are available to foreigners in Germany.
Hi!
I am a nurse here in Germany and my resident permit will expire on February 8, 2019, I am also 30 weeks pregnant and will have the baby in January, the problem is that my hospital where i am working will not prolong my contract, which is the document that i needed to renew my visa. My fiancè is an EU, we are planning to get married but me as 30 weeks pregnant is pretty impossible to travel to his homeland. I found already a work but they are gonna give me the contract at the end of February because of my Mutterschutz. Is there anything where i can extend my visa til i get my new contract?
Hi Katy, first off congratulations! You’ve got a few options but the simplest if your fiancè is currently working in Germany is to get married right now, that way you can apply for a residence visa tomorrow and you’re set.
Other options include visiting your nearest immigration office and requesting a temporary visa extension so you can transition to your new residence visa in February. Your work can write a letter of support as evidence of this. Take along any and all evidence as well as your fiance if he’s in Germany as every little bit will help! A immigration case officer can issue you a temporary visa extension for the period you require and it can be done on the spot so give it a try and if that fails I wish you all the best with your shotgun wedding! 😀
Good day
Kindly advise on that .
I am Egyptian married to a German citizen last August outside Germany , this marriage is officially authorized and accepted in Germany .
Currently I am in Germany on a spouse visa ( considered as schengen tourist visa ) till 16/1/2019 .
I am currently a finance manager ( freelance ) for a company based in Australia and still have residence in UAE till 17/1/2019 .
Apology for too much information but my wife & I decided to stay here , work and stabilize .
How is the visa status for me ? can I transfer the current tourist visa to residence or educational one ?
Anyway not to exit the country inorder to apply then come again on a national visa ?
Hi Bassem, you simply need a tourist visa to enter Germany and then together with your wife and accepted evidence of your marriage (translated to German if possible) visit your nearest immigation office and they will issue you a residency visa so you can live together in Germany. I recommend you to confirm the above by contacting the German embassy or consulate closest to you. With a residency visa you can then open bank accounts and if you wish join a language school and participate in German society.
There are conditions and it is not an instant “permanent visa” but a pathway towards permanent residency if you would like to live in Germany permanently; after a number of years living in Germany with your wife you can then apply for permanent residency. A work visa is separate to a residency visa which would enable you to work for a German company but as you are freelancing to an Australian company no work visa is required. I hope this helps!
Thanks for your prompt response , that sounds so easy .
We are currently in Trusetal , 3 days ago we visited a nearby immigration office in a small village here ” Meiningen” and they rejected to transfer my tourist Visa to a temporary residence .
Also they assured there is no way to transfer it to a student Visa as well .
It is so weird for us , as I have 2 freelancers jobs in Dubai/ Australia which sounds that I am not here for any marriage benefit nor my wife as well .
We registered ourself in my wife family house and also going to rent a separate place soon and my wife will work soon .
We are just afraid that the government will separate us for a period not less than 6 months so I can apply for national Visa from Egypt and they can see that my wife can support both of us even if I am earning whatever income .
Also by that time they will feel that the marriage is real .
Go to a big city urgently as they can issue a temporary visa extension to give you time to transition to a legal residence visa as a married spouse to a German Citizen. Take along proof of income, any supporting documentation (e.g. the lease that your wife has, bank statements, personal and/or work references and a summary of assets you have, etc.)
Take a car/bus/train/whatever to a big city (Frankfurt, Hanover, Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg, etc.) urgently and explain the circumstances (that you are being told incorrect information at your local immigration office) and your need for emergency visa assistance. Let us know how it goes!
Hie,
I’m Gulshan Sharma and I’m in Germany for my Masters for Two years. I have Indian passport and I have temporary Visa which expiry on 29/12/2018 and I want to go London to See my Friend on New year and I’m in doubt can i apply for UK standard visa which for 6 month with germany tempory visa and I’m planning to come back on 5th jan 2019 and on that time my visa will be expired. i dont know what to do ?
Hi Gulshan, unfortunately the temporary visa you are on will not allow you to re-enter Germany if you are stopped by immigration at an airport, port or land crossing because of this be very sure if you choose to leave Germany.
Visit your nearest immigration office in Germany and ask them if they can help, they may be able to apply an exception to extend your temporary visa and allow you to re-enter Germany if you intend to permanently reside in Germany when you return. Take as much evidence of bank statements, references, rental contracts, job contracts, etc. to support your case. Let us know how you go!
Dear Micheal ,
I recently moved to Berlin from India with D visa for working . My D visa is valid until 1st dec 2018. My blue card appointment is last week of December. Is it possible to extend my current D visa ?
Hi Aravind, this is what the temporary visa extension is designed for. Prepare your documentation, references, bank statements and evidence/receipt of your blue card appointment and ask them to issue a temporary visa extension covering this period of Dec-Jan. Take along a German speaking collegue if you can. You won’t be able to travel outside of Germany during your time on this temporary visa but that’s a small inconvenience. Let us know how you go!
Hi There.
I am from India, and I am staying in Germany since 1st Apr 2017.
Currently I am a Blue card holder, but this is getting expired on 26th October 2018 (unfortunately i got it for 1 yr initially). Now I got a temporary extention till March 2019 and my new Blue card appointment is on 5th Decemebr 2018.
My query is, can my Parents travel to Germany on tourist visa by showing all necessary documents and bank balance but STAY WITH ME. What I mean is, i will not do any hotel bookings, but show my address as the stay during Germany.
Regards,
Uma Sankar
Hi Uma, thanks for asking. Since you are transitioning between Blue card visa’s this shouldn’t be a problem, if you were a new arrival to Germany and applying for a Blue card visa for the first time this would not be possible.
I would strongly recommend you to take a copy of your rental contract and/or ask written permission from your landlord (if renting) to allow your family to stay with you during their period of stay. Take as much documentation as you can along with you (work contract, bank statement, residency card, everything you can find) and visit your nearest immigration office who can generate a letter which can be carried by your family and shown to immigration on arrival in Germany. I hope this helps!
Dear Michael, Thanks for your prompt response. I visited to them with all the documents. But the immigration officer says I can not sponsor with “Fiktionsbescheinigung”. I understand I can not sponsor, its fine with us. They will never give me any letter.
But what I do not understand, why can not they visit as a tourist to me. They will show all of their necessary documents, bank balance. But only for stay, I will provide my Landlord’s approval, my registration etc.
I am blank here, dont know whom to discuss as well. The officer is not at all ready to talk also 🙁
Hi Uma, go back again as you may have just got a case officer in a bad mood, try again as many times as it takes! It really is that simple.
As an alternative consider booking them in at a nearby hostel with a booking confirmation and ask what the cancellation policy is at the hostel, sometimes it is only 24 hours in which case they have a booking for a month but only stay one or more nights before staying the rest with you.
Hi Visser,
I am a Phillipine passport holder. We are currently in Munich, my two young children are studying in a private school here and their residence visas are under process. I am here on tourist visa and havel already consumed 58 days. I am going to apply for D visa in Dubai next week then come back. Is there possibility I can request the LANDRATSAMT here to allow me to stay another 90 days? My tourist visa is expiring on 16.Dec.2018. Thanks a lot!
Hi Geraldine, head on over to your nearest immigration office before you leave for Dubai as they may issue you a temporary visa extension to allow you time to lodge your D visa within Germany. Get in early and speak with an immigration case officer, if you have a German speaking friend bring them along too!
Prepare all your documentation beforehand, including letters and/or invoices for your children’s schooling and/or booked accomodation, financial statements, etc. I wish you all the best!
Thank you very much Michael! What you‘re doing is highly appreciated. Till next time.
Anytime Geraldine! How did you go in your dealings with German immigration? Were they helpful?
Hi Visser,
I have a US passport. My daughter works for the military in Germany and next year I will be needing to stay at her home in Germany to care for her home and pets while she is out of the country for 4 months. What do I need to do to stay in Germany for 4 months?
Hi Marie, thanks for asking. I can tell you right off the bat that the temporary visa extension visa is not suitable as it is intended for exceptional circumstances and/or those transitioning between or to a residency visa.
The US -> German visa arrangement for service members is unique and you’re best reaching out to the Frankfurt Consulate and asking them as a brief look shows it’s a nightmare to navigate (e.g. SOFA certificate status, no-fee passports, etc.) and they need to establish whether this is for leisure or associated with that service members activities.
Here’s a resource with contact information:
https://de.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/military-families/
Thank you! I will.
Hi,
My mother came here on a visit VISA (besucher) and her VISA is valid for 90 days (till the end of November). Is there any possibility to extend it further from here ?.
Regards,
Hi Frasheed, thanks for asking. If your mother was preparing to apply for a permanent visa you could request immigration to issue you a temporary visa extension to give her time to submit her application, regardlesss of whether you actually submit a residence visa application. Generally this temporary visa extension is only issued to visitors preparing to become a resident of Germany or are transitioning between existing residency visa’s but you can always try! In any case take as much documentation, including financial statements and/or supporting documentation so the case officer has everything needed to decide. I hope this helps 🙂
Hi I’m Eu for now (British) married to Egyptian we applied for a free movement for spouse visa but have been granted tourist visa for 22 days only !!! If I can get my residency started in that time can we apply for an extension for my husband – on the basis that his wife is applying to reside in Germany ?
Hi Fiona, my understanding – not legal advice – is you as the EU Citizen, he as the non-EU Citizen simply need to *both* be in Germany then visit your local German authorities and a long-stay visa visa will be prepared on the spot for him. The main requirement of issuing this residence visa is that a) you are married and can provide evidence of this, and b) that you as the EU Citizen can financially support your spouse through work or savings for the duration of your stay in Germany.
The tourist visa issued to your spouse enables your spouse to legally arrive in Germany and from there a long-stay visa can be issued. I would confirm this urgently with immigration in Germany and also provide detailed documentation explaining this to your spouse when traveling to Germany. I hope this helps 🙂
Hello Visser, I am doctor from india,and want to do my language course in Germany. Right now the embassy is asking for a document called Bescheid to grant a national visa and to get the Bescheid i have to get an employment letter forma hospital which is possible only if I have a B2 language certificate and also i must be in Germany. Is there any good option I can choose? Is there any way I can turn my visiting visa into national visa once I get to Germany?
Hi Vinay, a visitor visa will not allow you to transition to a residence visa. You can contact immigration when you arrive in Germany and ask for advice on how to best proceed, be that a job seeker visa which allows you to search for work but this will likely be processed from your home country.
Hello Visser, due to my husband’s mother passing away last night we have to go back to san diego tomorrow. we are under Fiktionsbescheinigung (Fictional Certificate) 81.3 that says that we are not allowed to re-enter the country. Anyone with any experience with this? Should I go the immigration center today and see what they can do for us? Our Fiktionsbescheinigung is valid till end of november and we already have a new appointment for before it ends for our job seeker visa. Tomorrow, wed, is app only day and we need to fly out tomorrow evening.
Any help with that would be appreciated as we’re both are clueless. Thank you!
Hi Jamily, immigration can issue you an emergency temporary visa extension allowing re-entry but without that document you will not be allowed back into the country. Head directly to your closest immigration office that is open and request an emergency appointment.
Hello Michael, thank you so much for responding me! I will do it!
hello sir
I am a doctor from non eu country. I am planning to work in Germany and want to do my language training there, but for getting a student/ work Visa from my home country I need to submit a job offer or letter of interest from a hospital to employ me. That is not possible unless I am in Germany. And also completing my B2 course and getting a job letter will take around 5-6 months, can apply for a tourist visa and successfully extend it? Is there any advantage family visa over tourist visa in terms of extending beyond 90 days? Can I apply for a national visa while being on tourist visa in Germany?
Hi Diana, it comes down to whether that EU country allows Citizens from your home country to transition to a residence visa while on a tourist visa. An example is Australians can arrive in Germany and apply for a Working Holiday visa on arrival without any prior communication with the German authorities. If you can afford it I would recommend traveling alone on a tourist visa to the EU country you are interested in staying, actively lodging applications (not with the intention of immediate work) and speaking with immigration authorities on what you need to do then when you have secured an offer from a hospital then immigrate.
The Temporary visa extension for Germany discussed here is to be used at the discretion of immigration authorities to help travelers (e.g. unexpected delays, transitioning to another residence visa, etc.), I would not recommend assuming that it is available or will be applied in all cases.
Hi Visser. Is there a way to extend a 10 day Business Schengen Visa in Germany? I was granted a 10 day stay only but it might not be enough for the training that I will attend. What are the documents I need to provide in case? Thanks in advance.
Hi CJ, if you have a valid reason to extend your stay it’s worth a shot; exceptional circumstances out of your control (e.g. training took longer than expected and will be detrimental to your business). Take all documentation any any references (e.g. from the training college) and bank statements you can prepare to justify this exception and it will be up to the immigration case officer to decide.
I wish you all the best, alternatively can you visit a nearby country (within the EU or outside) and then worst case return on another visa?
Hi! I got admission in a private University for the October intake but that’s unaffordable which is why i want to apply in some public universities (as they are affordable) for the April intake. I have a good profile and certainly will secure an admission in a public university. Problem is that I already have my 3-month D category student visa which will be expiring in December. Can i get a visa extension of additional 3 months from my home country so that i can join my preferred university in April? Because starting the visa process again is a big hassle considering that we get visa appointment on a rolling basis and takes ages!
Hi Ali, the issuing of temporary visa extensions is not made by your home country but by German immigration directly. Since you’re in Germany already visit your local immigration office and explain the circumstance, take along your resume, list of skills as well as any supporting financial details (e.g. bank account in Germany and/or funds in your home country).
No, I am currently not in Germany and still in my home country. Is it possible to get the extension from here or woud i have to re-apply for the visa?
Unfortunately temporary visa extensions can only be issued in-country (within Germany). If you can enter Germany as a tourist you could apply for a temporary visa extension and if issued then transition to another residence visa to continue residing in Germany.
Hi..I’m Sri Lankan and I married Sri lankan women who has a german passport.this is my third year.I have to renew my visa this november…but now we have problems..hope to getting divorced.this case can problem for my viza renew?
Hi Rasika, thanks for asking and I’m sorry to hear your circumstances. In your situation I would strongly recommend you to urgently speak to a lawyer specialising in immigration and your suitability for applying for Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlment visa, aka “NE permit”) or explore other residence visas that allow you to continue residing in Germany. You can always excercise a request for a temporary visa extension come November so you can prepare a new residence visa application, you just have to visit your local immigration office and speak to them.
The easiest resolution would be your spouse waiting until you get a NE permit before proceeding with a divorse, let us know how you go.
Hello!
I’m hoping you can shed some light on my situation!
I am a US passport holder and I have been living in Greece with my Greek husband for 2 years now. I have a visa and work here n greece legally as well. My husband will be traveling to Germany for 6 months due to work.
Since we recently had baby, I planned to use my maternity leave to be with him during those 6 months. However, my paperwork (which allows me to stay here legally) is Greek. Will I have a problem entering and then leaving Germany?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Monica, thanks for asking. You and your partner chose a very easy country to get a residence visa as a married spouse. Germany has a simple rule allowing married spouses to join their partner (EU or otherwise) who is working in Germany.
You just need to arrive in Germany with your partner and visit your nearest immigration office and register your residence at the same time or after your partner has done so. That’s it. Have fun in Germany! 🙂
Hi, Michael!
I just want to know if there is a way for me to extend my visa here in Germany. I only have 3 months Schengen visa, class C. Our marriage was not yet registered since we did not have NSO marriage certificate. It takes 6 months until 1 year after our wedding. We got married on April 20, 2018.We just found out that I am nearly 4 months pregnant. My husband is a German national. My visa is just a tourist visa since our marriage was not yet registered. We considered of giving birth here. So, I need my visa to be extended. Is there such a way of extending it without leaving Germany?
Hi Betche, thanks for asking, just a heads up right away that I’m not a visa expert in any capacity so any advice is generalised.
With that out of the way you are married just don’t have the NSO marriage certificate. I would visit your closest immigration office with your husband – a native German speaker I assume which helps – and meet with a case officer to ask what proof of marriage is required as immigration may not need that exact NSO marriage certificate document but something else you can easily obtain. Alternatively they issue you a temporary visa extension to allow you to stay in Germany until you can submit the NSO marriage certificate.
Temporary visa extensions can be issued on the spot by case officers and it does not matter how you arrived to Germany. Good luck, you’re married, you just need to convince German immigration! Go get em’! 🙂
Thanks a lot. We will try it and we’ll let you know about it. Thank you once again.
Hi, Michael. Good day and top of the day. i am holding a Nigerian passport as a Nigerian. I have a German tourist visa and after the 90 days in Germany, I WANT TO EXTEND MY STAY because I would like to relocate and stay in Germany to work.How possible is this?
Hi Samuel, how old are you? If your home country has a Working Holiday agreement with Germany you may be able to apply for that visa to stay for a year. In any case I’d visit the local immigration office and have a chat to them as they can give you advice on how to proceed.
Traditonal work visa’s are prepared in your home country.
Hi, I am currently living in Canada. I have a Schengen visa and I have recently offered a position in Germany. Would it possible to enter Germany via Schengen visa and then apply for a work permit at the visa office in Germany? Thank you
I have an Indian passport
Hi Pammu, since you’re currently living in Canada I’d reach out to the German Embassy/Consulate there and ask if you can apply for your work permit on arrival to Germany.
If you are allowed to apply in-country then yes you can arrive in any EU country exercising your Schengen visa right and when you’re ready show up to a German immigration office in your future town of residence and submit your employment visa (known as a General employment permit”) which entitles you to live and work in Germany.
You will need to show evidence of any qualification(s) and an employment contract or letter of intent in your application. I’d submit these to the Embassy/Consultate in Canada too just so they can tell you if you need anything else before embarking on your travels to Germany! Have a great trip! 🙂
Hello Vissen!
I’m looking for help with my situation. My visa ends in July 31 but I need to stay until mid-September. I’m currently a post-doc researcher in Essen, but I’m living in Bochum (and registered there). What should I do to get an extension on my visa?
Hi Francisco, what visa are you currently holding in Germany and what country do you hold a passport for? If you have reasonable grounds to stay in Germany then get your employer’s/university’s support in writing and take it to the immigration office or prepare a short letter explaining why you need to stay in Germany; do keep in mind that you will not be allowed to leave and re-enter Germany on a temporary visa, it simply let’s you continue to stay in Germany until the expiry date of the certificate.
There’s a bunch of tips and suggestions buried here in the comments so go prepared and if need be visit different immigration offices until you get the extension. Good luck!
Hello!
I’m here under a D Visa right now, and I have a brazilian passport. I’ve been reading on the comments and a lot of my questions were answered, but I’m still not sure where to go to ask for this, and if I should bring someone with me who’s more fluent in German, for example.
Good idea about taking a German speaker with you, I didn’t need one in Hamburg (Altona immigration office) but that might have just been lucky. It doesn’t matter what visa you are on, just have a good, clear reason for staying and any evidence/paperwork that may support it.
As for where to go, you can visit the Welcome Center in your city of you choose otherwise visit a normal German immigration office that can be easily found on Google Maps, “walk-ins” without an appointment are allowed only in certain opening hours so visit them directly and ask. Go get em’! 🙂
Hello Visser, thank you so much for posting this!! Really helpful!
I’m brazilian married to an american, we both under the age of 30 and we have decided to move here more permanently. As we both qualified for job seekers visa, we have just found out about this option so we’re gathering our docs together. Our 90 days visa are about to end and I was wondering if we could apply for a renew of our visas while we wait for our diplomas to arrive. Also, do you know if they also do it at the “welcome center” in berlin?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Jamily, you are both under the age of 31 so go to German immigration with two options:
a) request a temporary visa which allows you to stay in Germany until your diplomas arrive then change to your permanent visa (temporary visa’s can be prepared on the spot)
b) consider if the Working Holiday visa is available to either or both of you (easiest solution, switch to your permanent visa when you’re ready)
Dealing with German immigration case officers is on a first-come basis, explain your situation and have your documentation ready and see if they’ll play ball. If they don’t try again at the same office the next day with another case officer or look at other local immigration offices.
Due to the volume of immigration cases being processed by “Welcome Center [City]” offices I would recommend trying your local immigration office instead of Welcome Center Berlin. You’re welcome to try them anyway but expect very short interviews, long queues and/or required appointments which can be set months in advance. I got burnt at Welcome Center Hamburg so stay clear of them based on that experience, the local immigration offices always have a laugh at foreigners expense when you come from a Welcome Center with a poor outcome and will do their best to help you. I hope this helps! 🙂
Hello Michael, thank you so much for responding!! It does help!
We’re not qualified for working holiday visa (USA and Brazil didn’t make to the list).
We’re going tomorrow to the immigration office and I’ll leave a comment here to tell people how it went, it might help others too!
Cheers!
Hello
My visiting visa is valid from 10th June till 8th July but I have a 14days stay written on it. I came to Germany on the 11th June and want to attend a conference in Barcelona Spain from 29th June till 5th July. I will come to Germany on the 6th July from Spain and then leave Germany on the 7th july. Is it possible to get an extension for my stay till visa expires.
Regards
Hi Uju, is that visiting visa for just Germany (did you apply to Germany or for all of EU)? Also, what country is your passport from?
You can visit the immigration center in your closest German city and ask for a re-entry visa if you currently have a single entry visa (this is default). Explain it is for business purposes so you can attend your conference. You may need to apply for a visiting visa for Spain too if you cannot use the schengen visa program. Good luck! 🙂
Hi Michael,
My visa is Schengen visa for all EU but was issued by German Embassy in my country Nigeria. It is a single entry visa. Kindly advise the best way to about it. I have a return tickets to Barcelona from 29th June to 5TH July and also a return to Nigeria for 7th July.
Warm regards
Uju
Hi Uju, if you can adjust your flight to leave from Barcelona for Nigeria then you don’t need to speak to German immigration.
I’d still go visit your nearest immigration office in Germany and ask for them to allow you to re-enter Germany on July 6 for your departing flight and that the conference in Barcelona is for business purposes. Take photocopies of all documents, tickets, etc. so they have everything on hand.
Hi
My company has asked me to travel to Germany for 1 year. I will be getting my National Visa as well. I have a small kid who will be travelling with me, hence i want to take my kid’s care taker also to travel with me. Please suggest the best visa type i can apply for care-taker. If it’s not for 1 year then can the other visa be extended in Germany without hassles.
Hi Shilpa, what country do you hold a Passport for? As an employee in Germany you can generally bring your partner without any questions, that doesn’t automatically extend to child minders as Germany has child care services. Reach out to German immigration in your country and ask them how your care-taker can support your work while you are in Germany and let us know how you go 🙂
Hello I am currently in Germany on a 1 year residence permit as I am participating in fellowship. I have been accepted to a summer school program in Portugal but my residence permit expires in July but the summer program ends in August. Can I apply for an extension of my Schengen Visa in Germany or do I have to apply to the Portugese consulate?
Hi Ness, since the summer school is in Portugal you will likely need to contact immigration in Portugal for a resident visa for that period. While you’re in Germany go visit immigration and see if they’ll issue you a bridging visa valid for travel to Portugal but typically bridging visa’s are not valid outside of their country.
Hi, I am a graduate student in Hamburg, originally from Russia. Currently on D Visa, which expires on June 31. I was able to secure an appointment at the Aliens Office for September the earliest, so I wonder if I can stay legally in Germany after my D visa expires and I still wait for my appointment to apply for a job-seeking residence permit?
Hi Nikolai, first off go visit the Immigration office and request a temporary visa valid up to your appointment as you will be overstaying if you stay without a valid visa.
You can request an earlier meeting by attend any cancellations which are common, it’s short notice but will suit your needs. Hope this helps!
I have a Germany job seeker visa. I wonder if I could extend my visa in case that I cannot find a job.
Hi Amir, yes you can request a temporary visa extension to finalise finding a job, you won’t be able to leave Germany though on this temporary visa; if you leave you will not be able to re-enter on the same temporary visa. Please keep in mind that after six months of looking for work your immigration case officer may feel that you have had enough time so you will need to justify your circumstance for staying. Good luck!
hello .i have student visa and i am student phillips university marburg but i want to move bielefeld applied science university bielefeld .my question is thats may i move to bielefeld and can apply from bielefeld Auslanderbehörde for the extension of my visa.thanks in advance
Hi Muhammad, thanks for asking. I recommend you speak to your new university as well as closest Auslanderbehörde (immigration department in Germany) before moving as they may be able to transfer your university registration.
Looking briefly at the rules you already have a valid student visa so changing university shouldn’t be difficult but confirm this before approaching the Auslanderbehörde in the town of your university. The worst case is you have to return to your home country and re-apply for a student visa at your new university, avoid that at all costs by speaking to the above resources.
Hi, I just got VISA from German Embassy Addis Ababa just today. I ma going to Bonn for one month training. my plan was to attend the training and then travel to Norway and Sweden to visit my fiends and relatives. Since my get one month visa, can i extend my visa and visit other countries i mentioned. I thank you in advance for your cooperation .
Hi there. I come from Malaysia and am currently doing an internship in Hamburg for 3 months. My boss has recently asked me to extend my internship for another month. Can you advise me on my next steps? I currently hold a 3-month internship visa. Your reply will be super helpful to me!
Hi Laura, thanks for asking. I’m not up to speed on the Internship visa for Germany but from a quick look it seems you will need to contact your local immigration department in Germany and with your employers co-operation your residence visa may be extended. Find out more from the immigration department and let us know how you go!
is it possible to apply for job within my 90 days and after get a residence permit all in the 90 days?
Hi Alfred, if you are still in Germany on a tourist/temporary residence visa then visit your local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) and explain your circumstances as some long-term residence visa’s can be issued on the spot (e.g. Jobseeker, Youth Mobility visa, etc.).
Hi sir, i am currently on a business visa but i want to stay here in Germany and start work. i am 25 years. what are the process. please help me…..
Hi Alfred, it comes down to what passport you hold, are you eligible for a Working Holiday visa? Have you looked at neighboring countries that also offer Working Holiday/Youth Mobility visa’s?
https://visser.io/2016/03/german-working-holidayyouth-mobility-visa-for-citizens-of-australia-new-zealand-and-japan/
Hi,
I am an American who is approaching 90 days. I want to extend the tourist visa simply because I am still enjoying traveling Germany and I have also been interviewing at start ups in Berlin.
Wondering what I need to say or do just to get the extension. I am aware of the job seekers visa but do not want that or have the qualifications to obtain. Simply want to extend tourist visa. ANY help would be so useful. I plan on trying to apply for it monday!
Thank you.
Hi Britt, you could give the temporary visa extension a go on the basis that you will be shortly applying for another residence visa and need time to work it out but it will come down to who you meet at the visa department.
If you are under the age of 30 or up to 35 I’d seriously consider applying for a Working Holiday/Youth Mobility visa either in Germany or other neighbouring countries (Czech Republic is up to 35 years old, Germany is up to 30 years old) and use that residence visa to then find a job and apply for a work residence visa.
Hey Britt, I was wondering.. did it work out for you? Me and my american husband are in kinda of the same situation.
Cheers!
Jamily
Hi. I am from India. My husband is in Germany on a work permit. I am in Germany currently. I am on a family visit visa. My visa is issued from October 2017 to December 2017. As per my earlier travel itinerary I was supposed to go back to India on November 26 2017. So my visa mentions duration of travel as 47 days. But now I wish to extend my stay in Germany till my visa expires. Can I do it & extend my stay by few days?
Hi Amruta, visit your local immigration office and explain your circumstance, inform them of the date you intend to leave Germany and your reason for extending and they can issue a temporary residence visa up until your date of departure; please note you will be not be able to travel freely around Europe on a temporary visa, it is just for Germany. I recommend bringing a copy of your flight receipt for your departure flight as evidence of your intention to leave at that date, this can only help you when you are explaining your circumstance. Hope this helps! 🙂
Hi my name is agnieszka from poland and my husband from India we are now in german.my husband coming in schengun visa one month .I want to stay permanent with my husband what I do ? Is possible I extand 3month visa in german plz help me
Hi Agnieszka, since you are a Polish national and member of the EU your husband can receive a residence permit for as long as you stay in Germany together. My understanding is he will need a valid visitor visa (Schengen Area) to enter Germany and you will need a registered residential address in Germany, once you are together then go to the immigration office and request a spouse visa. It can be issued on the day! 🙂
Check the rules for Indian nationals as there are exceptions for some countries, I found a resource with more information:
http://www.expatica.com/de/visas-and-permits/German-visa-to-join-a-relative-or-spouse-in-Germany_108796.html
Regarding requesting a 3 month extension, you could suggest to the immigration department that you need more time to prepare visa documentation but give the above spouse visa a go first! Again, the visa extension if issued can be made no the spot aswell.
Hi sir or madam , actually we already in german .today we already visit immigration office early morning but they not extand any visa they said for my husband go back country because they have tourist schengen visa .but I do plz help me what I do next
Hi Agnieszka, that sucks! Best advice is to visit another immigration office (preferably one closest to you) and tell them the immigration office you went to wasn’t helping you. Ask for their help!
They need to explain why your spouse cannot be given a Spouse Visa in writing and in-country. As above, review the resource I provided, it contains alot of information and is worth printing out and taking with you to the immigration office. You should consider contacting an immigration lawyer now; I’ve been in your shoes.
Hi sir or madam , thanku for reply . I have house contract everything and now I m try to find job also . For my husband get this 3 month temporary visa Is possible because I never want to send back my husband.