first grants

Apply for a settlement permit for skilled workers

Prerequisites

• You have held a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker for at least 3 years.
• If you have successfully completed vocational training or studies in Germany, you can submit your application after just two years of residence.
• You continue to work as a specialist in Germany.
• You have already paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or to an equivalent private insurance company or pension scheme for at least 36 months.
  • If you have successfully completed vocational training or a degree course in Germany, 24 months are sufficient.
• You have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1)
• You have basic knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany.
• You can secure your own livelihood.
• You have health insurance.

Documents required

• Valid passport or passport replacement
• Biometric passport photo in electronic form
  • You can have your passport photo taken on-site. A photo booth is available.
• If applicable: proof of your qualification obtained in Germany (e.g. certificates, diplomas)
• Current proof of income (employment contract, pay slips, employer certificate)
• Proof of sufficient living space (rental or purchase agreement that provides information about the living space)
• Proof of knowledge of the German language at level B1
• Proof of basic knowledge of the German legal and social system (e.g., certificate of passing the "Living in Germany" test)
• Proof of existing retirement provision (e.g. pension insurance history)
• Proof of existing health insurance

You must submit the documents in German. In individual cases, the responsible authority may require fewer or more documents from you.

Please note

Deadlines

Submit your application at least 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires.


The settlement permit is valid indefinitely.


The card issued through this (eAT) is valid for 10 years and must then be updated.

Procedure

• You use the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" to apply for a settlement permit and upload the required documents.
  • If you need to submit additional documents, please do so via the service portal "Resolve issues regarding your residence permit".
• The responsible office will then send you an appointment for an interview.
• Please bring all necessary documents, preferably in original, to the appointment.
• The responsible authority will check your identity and documents.
• The competent authority shall involve other authorities where necessary.
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints, signature and a biometric photo will be taken to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• The responsible authority commissions an external agency, the Federal Printing Office, to produce your eAT.
• As soon as the eAT is ready, you will receive a notification and can pick it up in person from the responsible office. The responsible office will schedule an appointment for you.
• If the application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice with the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

Processing will begin immediately at the appointment if all documents are complete. The delivery time for the electronic residence permit from the Federal Printing Office is typically two to four weeks.

Fees

Processing fee: 113.00 EUR


Biometric photo on site: 6.00 euros

Payment methods available

• Girocard
• Cash payment

Legal remedies

Contradiction


Action before the administrative court

Legal basis

§ 18c Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18c.html