LEA refused to switch my student permit to researcher permit before citizenship application
I’ve lived in Germany for 4.5 years and planned to apply for citizenship at the 5-year mark this September. I’m an PhD candidate in Berlin currently on a §16b student permit and I I already have B1 + Einbürgerungstest. My plan was to switch to a researcher permit (§18d) first, but the LEA rejected the switch, saying my PhD research is already covered under §16b because it’s part of my doctoral studies and I’m scholarship-funded.
I have about a year left of my PhD so im wondering if I just have to accept the delay to citizenship timeline or whether there’s another pathway/options I should be considering.
TL;DR: Planned to apply for citizenship at 5 years, but LEA refused to switch my student permit (§16b) to a researcher permit (§18d). Does this mean I now have to delay citizenship until after my PhD?