Hamburg Welcome Center

Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of training for the first time

Prerequisites

• Your home country is not a member of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)
• You already have a training, study or internship position.
• Your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay. This means you have enough of your own money to cover your living expenses and rent.
• You have valid health insurance.

Further requirements are set out in the relevant provisions of the Residence Act. The responsible authority and the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" can provide you with information.

Documents required

• Valid passport or passport replacement
• Visa, if required for entry
• Current biometric photo
  • 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 a training, study or internship placement (e.g. contract, registration confirmation)
• Proof of secure livelihood (e.g. blocked account, declaration of commitment, employment contract)
• Proof of existing health insurance (e.g. insurance certificate)

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 the recognition of a foreign professional qualification
• for the purpose of in-company training and further education
• for the purpose of vocational training
• for study preparation and study
• for a study-related internship EU
• to participate in language courses and student exchanges
• for general education school attendance
• to find a training place to carry out qualified vocational training
• for applying for a course

The office listed here is only responsible if you are applying for a residence permit for Germany for the first time (initial issue). If you already have a residence permit for another reason, a different office is responsible. Further information can be found in the links.

Deadlines

Submit your application no later than eight weeks before your current visa expires.

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 and signature will be taken, 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 with the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

Processing will take place directly at the appointment if all documents are complete.


The involvement of the Federal Employment Agency lasts up to 2 weeks.


The delivery time for the electronic residence permit from the Federal Printing Office is usually 2 to 4 weeks.

Fees

100.00 EUR

Legal remedies

Contradiction


Lawsuit before the Administrative Court

Legal basis

§§ 16a ff. Residence Act


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16a.html