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The residence permit guarantees legal security in Germany.

Are you planning to settle permanently in Germany? As a foreigner in Germany, life can sometimes be very complex. Authorities, employment contracts and travel often require permits, applications and, above all, patience. Aliens law or migration law regulates what rights and obligations each person has. An important point here is the residence permit. However, the provisions in the Residence Act (AufenthG) and the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) are often confusing and legally demanding. As lawyers for immigration law, we accompany you from the application for the visa to the issuance of the residence permit.

To ensure that everything is legally correct when applying for a residence permit, there are the following things to consider:

Every foreigner from a third country needs a residence permit.

Third countries are all countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
A longer stay begins with a duration of 90 days.
Citizens of Switzerland, the United Kingdom or Turkey have special residence documents (e.g. residence documents-CH, -GB or according to the association agreement with Turkey).
There are temporary and permanent residence permits.

Temporary residence permits include the visa, the EU Blue Card and the residence permit.
Permanent residence permits are the settlement permit and the EU permanent residence permit.

A residence permit does not automatically entitle you to work, but must be applied for explicitly.

The application process generally looks like this:

You must submit an application, usually in writing as a form.
Required documents are:

Valid passport
Registration certificate
rental contract
Proof of health insurance and livelihood security

If the immigration authorities do not make a decision within 3 months, you can file a complaint for failure to act with the administrative court.
As a temporary solution, you can apply for a fictitious certificate as a temporary passport.
It is also important to request extensions in a timely manner.
Depending on the type of residence permit, there are different requirements. For a permanent residence permit, these are, for example:

Secure livelihood and adequate health insurance
Proof of identity (passport requirement)
Required visa upon entry (can be applied for at the foreign mission such as the embassy/consulate), unless there are certain exceptions (e.g. Syria, Ukraine)
Have held a residence permit for at least five years
No ongoing criminal proceedings
Good knowledge of German and knowledge of German society (naturalization test)
At least 60 months of pension insurance contributions

Expiry of the residence permit

The residence permit can expire for various reasons:

Expiry of the validity period
Fulfillment of a subsequent condition
Withdrawal/revocation by the authority
Expulsion by the immigration authorities
Departure without returning within 6 or 12 months
Conviction of a felony
Separation/divorce

If your residence permit expires, you are obliged to leave the country. The immigration authorities can order “deportation”. You can appeal against this order by filing an urgent court application for a suspension of immediate execution.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to residence permits?

In order to properly apply for your residence permit, the following points should be taken into account:

Every foreigner from a third country needs a residence permit.

Third countries include all countries that do not belong to the EEA (European Economic Area).
A longer stay is possible for a period of 90 days or more.
Citizens of Switzerland, the United Kingdom or Turkey require special residence documents such as -CH, -GB or in accordance with the Association Agreement with Turkey.
There are temporary and permanent residence permits.

Temporary titles include the visa, the EU Blue Card and the residence permit.
Permanent titles include the settlement permit and the EU permanent residence permit.

The residence permit does not automatically entitle you to work; this must be applied for separately.

The application process basically goes as follows:

An application must be made, usually in writing using a form.
Required documents are a valid passport, a registration certificate, a rental agreement and proof of health insurance and livelihood security.
If the immigration authorities do not make a decision within 3 months, an action for failure to act can be filed with the administrative court.
It is possible to apply for a fictitious certificate as a temporary passport during the transition.
Extensions must be requested in good time.
Depending on the type of residence permit, different requirements apply. For a permanent residence permit, these are, for example:

Secure living through adequate health insurance.
Proof of identity (passport).
Required visa for entry (can be applied for at the foreign mission: embassy/consulate), apart from certain countries and individual cases (e.g. Syria, Ukraine).
Possession of a residence permit for at least five years.
No ongoing criminal proceedings.
Good knowledge of German and knowledge of German society (naturalization test).
Min. 60 months of contributions paid into the pension insurance.

Expiry of the residence permit

The residence permit can expire for various reasons:

Expiry of the period of validity.
Occurrence of a resolutive condition.
Withdrawal/revocation by the authority.
Expulsion by the immigration authorities.
Departure without returning within 6 or 12 months.
Conviction of a felony.
Separation/divorce.

If the residence permit expires, you are obliged to leave the country. The immigration authorities can initiate deportation. It is possible to take action against immediate enforcement by means of an urgent court application.

How can I help you?

We are here to help you if you have any questions about residence permits. With our extensive experience in migration law, we offer you advice and representation in all relevant matters. From applying for a visa to issuing a residence permit – we offer you legal expertise. We would be happy to take care of all correspondence with the immigration authorities or the court in order to cause you as little stress as possible in this difficult situation. If you entrust us with your mandate, we will process your case discreetly and promptly. As a law firm specializing in migration law, we know what is important. Arrange an initial consultation today – with us you will receive legal certainty for your residence permit.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Under what circumstances is a residence permit issued for hardship reasons?

A case of hardship exists if there are compelling humanitarian or personal reasons that require the foreigner to stay in Germany. This may be due to a threat of death or illness. It is possible that hardship is excluded in certain cases, such as criminal offenses.

When is it possible to get a visa?

You can apply for a national visa at the embassies and consulates of the Federal Republic of Germany. To do this, you must meet the necessary requirements and pay a fee of EUR 75. The processing time can be several months.

How long does it take to process an application for a residence permit?

If you have submitted an application, the responsible immigration authority must make a decision within 3 months. If it does not make a decision within this period, you can file a lawsuit for failure to act before the administrative court (VG) and force a decision from the authority in court.

Can I enter Germany as a foreigner to work there?

Foreign citizens from a member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) have the opportunity to work in Germany without any further requirements. If they are third-country nationals, it is necessary to first apply for a corresponding residence permit or an EU Blue Card.

What documents are needed to apply for a residence permit?

To apply for a residence permit, you usually need the following documents: a valid passport, a registration certificate, proof of residence, proof of sufficient financial resources and health insurance.

Can you travel within the EU with a German residence permit?

In principle, it is possible for holders of a residence permit to travel within the Schengen area without restrictions. However, if the residence permit imposes conditions that restrict freedom of travel, it may be necessary to obtain travel approval in advance from the immigration authorities.

How long is the validity period of a residence permit?

There are basically two types of residence permits: permanent and temporary. The permanent titles include the settlement permit and the EU permanent residence permit. The period of validity of these titles varies depending on the individual case.

On the other hand, visas, EU Blue Cards and residence permits are temporary residence permits. Here too, the period of validity varies depending on the case.

How can I extend my residence permit?

If you would like to extend your residence permit, you should take action early. The immigration authority will extend the residence permit upon application, provided the requirements are still met.

What is meant by a settlement permit?

By holding a permanent settlement permit, people who do not come from Germany have the opportunity to pursue a professional activity in Germany.

Can my residence permit be revoked again?

A residence permit can be taken back and revoked by the immigration authorities. There is the possibility of a revocation if the residence permit was obtained unlawfully, for example through deception. A revocation is only possible under certain conditions.