If your residence permit expires before you have completed the examination procedure required for the recognition of your foreign qualification, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.

The residence permit was issued solely for the purpose of taking an examination. An extension of the residence permit is therefore only possible if the examination procedure has not yet been completed.

The same conditions apply for the extension of the residence permit as for the issue. In particular, your livelihood should be secured for the duration of your stay.

If your residence permit is extended, it will be limited in time again, usually for the remaining duration of the examination procedure. The validity of the residence permit covers the period from taking the examination until the examination result is announced or until the competent authority issues a final decision on the procedure.

The residence permit cannot be extended if it is foreseeable that the examination cannot be taken within a reasonable period of time or if the extension was already ruled out by the immigration authority when the permit was issued or when it was last extended.