DeutschCertificate of residential status
You will usually require a certificate of residential status in order to enter and reside in Germany. Certificates of residential status are issued as follows:
Visa
Visas are issued by (German) representative offices in your home country for the purpose of entering Germany.
Residence permit
Residence permits are restricted, purpose-related certificates of residential status. They may be issued and extended for the following purposes:
- Degree courses
- Employment
- Humanitarian grounds
- Family unification
Settlement permit
A settlement permit is an unrestricted certificate of residential status for foreigners who have been residing legally in Germany for some time, and who fulfil other requirements.
In addition to this, there is also a permanent EC residence permit, which was only incorporated into the Federal Residence Act in 2007 as a result of guidelines issued by the European Union. This permit also constitutes an unrestricted certificate of residential status.
Forms to download:
- Application for a Residence Permit (PDF, 121 KB)
- Application for extension of a Residence Permit (PDF, 40 KB)
You can reduce waiting times by filling out the forms completely and signing them before bringing them to us with a current passport photo (as necessary) and the required fees.
You can also come to us to complete the mandatory residence registration process. Visit the Citizens’ Advice Bureau website for pre-printed registration forms.
In principle, you must fulfil the general conditions of issue, which include a financial guarantee, sufficient health insurance coverage and the submission of a national passport.
The temporary waiver of deportation (Exceptional Leave to Remain, or “Duldung”) and the temporary residence permit for asylum seekers (“Aufenthaltsgestattung”) are not classed as certificates of residential status.
Exceptional leave to remain is granted to foreigners who have to leave the Federal Republic of Germany, but whose deportation has been temporarily waived.
The temporary residence permit for asylum seekers is granted to foreigners who have made an asylum application, and is valid for the duration of the asylum request procedure.