If your residence permit is about to expire and you have not yet completed the examination process required for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification, you can apply to have your residence permit extended.

The same requirements apply to the extension of a residence permit as to its initial issuance. In particular, you must have sufficient means to support yourself and health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.

If your residence permit is extended, it will again be valid for a limited period, typically for the remainder of the examination process. The residence permit is valid for the period from the date you take the exam until the exam results are announced or until you receive the decision from the competent authority.

You are not permitted to engage in gainful employment during this period.

Your residence permit cannot be extended if

• you are unable to take the exam or exams within a reasonable period of time, or
• the Foreigners’ Registration Office has already ruled out an extension at the time of issuance or during the most recent extension.