Hamburg Welcome Center

Apply for a settlement permit for highly qualified specialists

Prerequisites

• You have an academic degree, which means you have
  • a German university degree,
  • a recognized foreign university degree or
  • a foreign university degree that is comparable to a German university degree.
• You belong to the group of highly qualified specialists, which means that you are, for example,
  • Scientist with special technical knowledge,
  • Teacher in a prominent position and have, for example, a chair or the directorship of an institute
  • scientific staff in a prominent position and carry out independent projects that go beyond the usual tasks and lead scientific departments, project or working groups.
• You have an employment contract or a specific job offer.
• You have at least 2 years of professional experience.
• Their integration into German society is to be expected (for example due to good German language skills, previous stays in Germany or international experience).
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage from your income without relying on public benefits.

Documents required

• Valid passport or passport replacement
• Visa, if required for entry
• Biometric passport photo in electronic form
  • You can have your passport photo taken on-site. A photo booth is available.
• Proof of securing your livelihood (e.g., proof of income, employment contract, equity, pension certificate, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g. confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of special qualifications or professional experience (e.g. training certificates, certificates, employment references)
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• when exercising a regulated profession, in addition:
• Professional licensing (e.g., license to practice medicine, professional permit)
• Recognition of the foreign university degree by the competent authority

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: 147.00 EUR


Biometric photo taken on-site: 6.00 EUR

Legal remedies

Contradiction


Action before the administrative court

Legal basis

Section 18c paragraph 3 Residence Act (AufenthG)


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