• You'll extend your visa at the foreigners' registration office, which is called "Ausländerbehörde" in German. In small towns, the "Ausländerbehörde" is usually combined with the "Meldebehörde."
• Compared to registering your residence address, getting an appointment for the visa extension is more difficult. Due to the increasing number of foreigners, the number of appointments can't meet the foreigners' demands. So, we strongly suggest booking an appointment as soon as possible, at least 2 months before the deadline.
• The residence permit: After successfully extending your visa, you'll obtain a residence permit as a student in Germany. This permit's duration is 2 years if it's your first permit application. If the normal duration of your studies is 6 semesters, the first permit will still be 2 years.
• "Aufenthaltstitel" and "Zusatzblatt": your new ID in Germany is the "Aufenthaltstitel" residence permit provided by the "Ausländerbehörde." There will also be an additional green "Zusatzblatt" sheet. If you travel abroad, these documents are important for your return to Germany. Your identity and work permit will be described in more detail on the "Zusatzblatt."

For more information about "visa extension," you can read another EDUBAO article. In this article, we'll present and give you some tips about the documents required for the visa extension. Let's get started!

The required documents are:

1. Ausgefülltes Formular - Completed Form

• You'll find this form on the foreigners' registration office website.
• This form will be called "Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels" in German.
• In most cities, this form will also be available in English.

2. Reisepass - Passport

3. Biometrisches Passfoto (Format 35 x 45 mm) - Passport Photo (Format 35 x 45 mm)

You don't need to go to a studio to take a photo. You can find a photo booth in the city center. Even in small towns, there are photo booths in shopping centers and train stations. It's cheaper and it only takes half an hour to get photos.

4. Anmeldung beim Bürgerservice - Residence Registration Office Enrollment

You must already be registered at the residence office (Bürgeramt, Bürgerservice, or Meldeamt in German). The "Anmeldung" is justified by the "Meldebescheinigung" - registration certificate obtained after registration.

5. Wohnraumnachweis (beispielsweise Mietvertrag) - Proof of Living Space (e.g., rental contract)

Your rental contract.

6. Krankenversicherungsnachweis - Proof of Health Insurance

A document issued by your health insurance to prove that you're insured in Germany. For this type of proof, you need to contact your health insurer by email or phone before extending your visa. They'll know as soon as you tell them it's for the visa extension. This proof is called "Mitgliedsbescheinigung" in German.

7. Studentenausweis - Student ID Card

Your student ID card, on which the university name, your specialization, semester, student number, etc. are noted.

8. Bescheinigung über die Studiendauer - Certificate of Study Duration

This is a confirmation issued by your university, usually by the International Office or the Studierenden Zentrum (student center). Don't forget to ask for their help if you haven't received it yet!

9. Nachweise über die Art der Finanzierung des Studiums (beispielsweise Verpflichtungserklärung, Stipendiumsnachweis, Sperrkonto, Kontoauszug, ...) - Proof of Study Financing Type (e.g., declaration of commitment, scholarship proof, blocked account, bank statement, ...)

Proof of financing: for most students, they'll live on their blocked account. The proof of opening a blocked account can be your proof of financing. If you've already opened a current account, the current account statement, called "Kontoauszug" - bank statement or "Kontoauszüge" - bank statements, can also serve as proof. Additionally, a declaration of commitment, scholarship proof, etc. are also accepted.

10. Gebühren - Fees

100.00 Euro for students applying for the residence permit in Germany for the first time.

96.00 Euro for students extending their visa for the second time.

Documents Required for Applying for a "Fiktionsbescheinigung" - Fictitious Certificate

The documents needed to apply for a "Fiktionsbescheinigung" are the same as for the visa extension, because the prerequisite for obtaining a "Fiktionsbescheinigung" is that you can continue to legally stay in Germany. There's one situation where you'll need a Fiktionsbescheinigung: your visa is still valid, you need to extend your student visa, but it usually takes at least 4 weeks to get your new visa. You can't wait that long because your flight to another country is scheduled for next week. So at this point, you need to prepare all the required documents for the visa extension, book an appointment, and submit the application in person. When applying, make sure to inform the officer that you'll be leaving Germany next week and that you need a Fiktionsbescheinigung for your return. You'll most likely receive the Fiktionsbescheinigung immediately.