Initial Issuance and Renewal of a Residence Permit

For a longer stay in Germany, foreign nationals (excluding EU citizens) must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office after entering the country.

A residence permit is a temporary residence authorization. It is issued for the purposes specified in the Residence Act, such as studying, vocational training, humanitarian reasons, or family reunification. For each specific purpose of residence, the Residence Act not only sets forth the requirements for issuance but also specifies whether there is a legal entitlement to a residence permit or whether the Foreigners’ Registration Office must exercise its discretion. The residence permit is normally valid throughout the entire territory of Germany, but it may be issued and renewed subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Conditions, such as a geographical restriction, may also be imposed retroactively.

Although initially limited in duration, the residence permit forms the basis for a permanent right of residence, provided that an extension is not ruled out from the outset. The residence permit opens the possibility of a subsequent right of residence for an indefinite period (settlement permit or long-term residence permit), provided that this is not ruled out from the outset for certain groups of foreign nationals.

Requirements for Issuing a Residence Permit

The requirements for obtaining a residence permit vary widely. Therefore, please contact your local immigration office. Foreign nationals subject to visa requirements must apply for the residence permit required for their continued stay while their visa is still valid. Foreign nationals exempt from the visa requirement must apply for the residence permit required for their continued stay immediately upon entry or, at the latest, within 90 days of entry.

In general, the same requirements apply to the renewal of a residence permit.

Required documents:

• Application Form
• valid national passport
• Digital photo with a matrix QR code
• Proof of a secure source of income (e.g., pay stubs, letter of financial commitment, blocked account, etc.)
• Sufficient living space (e.g., lease agreement, rent verification letter if applicable, etc.)
• Health insurance coverage - Proof of the purpose of stay, e.g., employment contract, enrollment, etc.

Depending on the purpose of your stay, the required documents and applicable fees may vary.

Application Process

You can submit your application either online or using the form. After your application has been reviewed, the case worker assigned to your file will schedule an appointment for you. Please refrain from inquiring about the status of your application, as this may delay processing. Due to the high volume of work, there may be longer wait times.