Hamburg Welcome Center

Apply for a residence permit to work in Germany

Prerequisites

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and - if required for entry - an appropriate visa.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• You have a job or a job offer.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage from your income without relying on public benefits.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Further requirements arise from the relevant provisions of the Residence Act or the Employment Ordinance. The responsible authority can inform you accordingly.

Documents required

• Valid passport
• Visa, if required for your entry
• Preliminary approval from the Federal Employment Agency or a form "Declaration of Employment Relationship" completed and signed by the employer
• Current biometric photo in digital form
  • You can have your passport photo taken on-site. A photo booth is available.
  • You can also have a passport photo taken by a photographer or a drugstore. It can be retrieved electronically from there during your appointment.
• Proof of your health insurance
• rental agreement

Depending on the individual case, the responsible authority may request further necessary documents from you.

Please note

You can obtain this residence permit for several reasons:

• for qualified employment as a skilled worker
  • with academic education or
  • with vocational training
• for employment
  • regardless of qualification as a skilled worker according to the requirements of the Employment Ordinance,
  • with extensive professional knowledge or
  • in the public interest
• to fulfil official duties in the Federal Republic of Germany in a civil service relationship with a German employer
• for research
  • for researchers who are recognised as refugees or similar in another EU country or
  • for mobile researchers
• to participate in the European Voluntary Service or the Federal Voluntary Service
• to find a job
  • for qualified professionals with vocational or academic training,
  • with a completed degree, after research activity, after school or vocational training or
  • after recognition of your foreign professional qualification
• to carry out self-employment
  • for self-employed persons who are recognised as refugees or similar in another EU country,
  • for self-employed persons who have completed a degree or who were scientists and researchers or
  • for freelancers

Deadlines

You must submit your application no later than eight weeks before your current visa expires. The residence permit is limited in time, usually corresponding to the duration of your employment contract.

Procedure

• You use the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" to apply for a residence permit and upload the required documents.
• The responsible office will then send you an appointment for an interview.
• Please bring all required 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 electronic residence permit (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 your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice stating the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

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

Fees

100.00 EUR

Legal remedies

Contradiction


Lawsuit before the Administrative Court

Legal basis

§§ 18 ff. Residence Act


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18.html


§§ 1 ff. Employment Ordinance


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/beschv_2013/BJNR149910013.html