Residence permit; general information

The residence permit is a temporary residence title. It is issued for the purposes specified in the Residence Act, e.g. for

• for humanitarian reasons,
• for the purpose of study or training,
• for the purposes of employment, self-employment or research,
• for family reunification for spouses/life partners and minor children, provided the foreigner living here has a right of residence themselves,
• for spouses/partners and minor children of Germans,
• as part of the right of residence opportunity introduced on 31.12.2022 (see: further information)

In addition to the requirements for granting a residence permit, the Residence Act also regulates whether there is a legal entitlement to the granting of a residence permit or whether the immigration authority has to make a discretionary decision.

The residence permit is normally valid for the entire federal territory, but can be issued and extended subject to conditions and requirements. Conditions, e.g. spatial restrictions, can also be imposed retrospectively. Holders of a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum, a recognized refugee, a person entitled to subsidiary protection or with an established ban on deportation in accordance with Section 60 (5) or (7) AufenthG must also notify the responsible immigration authority of any trips to their home country.

The residence permit forms the basis for a permanent right of residence - despite initially being limited in time - unless an extension is ruled out from the outset, e.g. in the case of temporary residence purposes.

The extension of the residence permit must be applied for at the Foreigners' Registration Office, as must the granting of the residence permit.

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The requirements for obtaining a residence permit vary depending on the purpose of residence.

In general, the granting of a residence permit usually requires that

• the livelihood is secured,
• the identity and, if the foreigner is not entitled to return to another country, the nationality of the foreigner has been clarified,
• there is no reason for deportation,
• insofar as there is no entitlement to the issue of a residence title, the foreigner's stay does not impair or jeopardize the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany for any other reason and
• the passport requirement according to § 3 AufenthG is fulfilled;

and that the foreigner

• has entered the country with the required visa and
• has already provided the relevant information for the issue of the visa in the visa application.

The same regulations apply to the extension of the residence permit as to its issue. Before the residence permit is extended, it must be determined whether the foreigner has fulfilled any obligation to properly attend the integration course.

Foreign nationals who require a visa must apply for the residence permit required for further residence during the period of validity of the visa.

Foreign nationals who are exempt from the visa requirement for the specific purpose of their stay must apply for the residence permit required for a further stay immediately after entering the country or within 90 days at the latest.

Please enquire at your local immigration office. As a rule, however, the following documents are required:

• valid passport
• Current biometric photograph (frontal view)
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof of sufficient living space
• Proof of health insurance cover
• Proof of the purpose of residence, e.g. employer's certificate or employment contract, marriage certificate
• Further documents if necessary

Issue:

• Valid for up to one year: 100 euros
• Period of validity of more than one year: 100 euros

Extension:

• of up to three months: 96 euros
• of more than three months: 93 euros

• §§ Sections 4, 4a, 5, 7, 8, 12, 12a, 24, 81 Act on the Residence, Gainful Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG)
• § Section 41 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

  Benefits for nationals of certain countries

• Immigration
• Newsflash - Real opportunities for well-integrated people

• Residence permit; application for employment under the Western Balkans regulation
• Residence permit; application for the purpose of studying
• Residence cards and certificate of permanent residence for persons entitled to freedom of movement; application
• Forced marriage; counseling
• EU permanent residence; applying for a permit
• Integration of foreigners; information
• National visa; application and extension
• Residence permit; issuing and applying for extension of the certificate
• EU Blue Card; Application
• Residence permit; application for amendment of the ancillary provisions
• Settlement permit; application
• Residence permit; application for gainful employment in Germany
• Residence permit; application for family reunification with foreigners
• Residence permit; application for temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine
• Residence permit; application for the issue of an electronic residence permit
• Residence permit; application for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons
• Residence permit for asylum application; application
• Residence permit; application for in-company training and further training and school-based vocational training