German integration course exemption

Hi,

I just received a German residency for spouse reunion purposes, and they have requested that I take a German integration course. Thing is, I have a full time job with a German company and also have clients that I work for on a self-employed basis, so doing this course is not really an option unless I quit a lot of my jobs - which also isn't an option. They say that these factors can be means for an exemption, but i've heard they're pretty tough about it.

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Does anyone have any advice on how to go about obtaining an exemption? For context, i'm from the UK, intend to reach at least B2 within the next 3 years anyway (but in my own time) and have a German wife, friends and belong to German clubs, so "integration" is not really necessary anyway. In fact, this course is an obstacle to genuine integration as I won't have any free time left. Genuine advice about experiences or legal advice would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.