You must apply for the residence permit in writing at the Foreigners' Registration Office before your previous residence permit expires and you have completed your training, studies, research activities or the recognition of your foreign professional qualification in Germany.
The period of validity of the residence permit for job-seeking purposes depends on your professional qualification and relevant previous stays in Germany:
- after completing your studies in Germany: up to 18 months
- after completion of your research activities in Germany: up to 18 months
- after completing a qualified vocational training programme in Germany: up to 18 months
- after completion of the assessment of the equivalence of the professional qualification or the granting of a licence to practise: up to 18 months
- after completion of assistant or helper training in a state-recognised or comparably regulated training occupation in a profession in the health and care sector: up to 12 months, with a one-time extension option of up to 6 months