City Foreign Affairs

Apply for a residence permit and change of residence at the Hamburg Service

Prerequisites

• You belong to the group of eligible persons.
• You have a residence permit with a regulation regarding your place of residence.
• You want to move to another state.
• You are employed in a job subject to social insurance contributions (at least 15 hours per week and a net income of at least €820.00 (as of April 2022)) or have an income that secures your livelihood.
• You have a training or study place.
• Your spouse, your life partner or your minor child live at the desired place of residence.
• You have a job, a training or study place, or a course or qualification measure at the desired place of residence.
• You will receive youth welfare services or measures at your desired place of residence that are not available at your current place of residence.
• You have urgent personal reasons for which another federal state has agreed to accept you.
• You are in a similar situation that entails unreasonable restrictions for you.

Documents required

The required documents depend on the specific reason for your move. Please provide the documents to demonstrate which of the requirements are met. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Employment contract or job offer
• Training contract or certificate of study
• Registration certificate of your family member
• marriage certificate
• Birth certificate of your minor child
• Detailed explanation
• Medical certificate
• Certificate of participation in an integration course, a professional language course, a qualification measure of at least 3 months duration leading to professional recognition, or a further training measure in accordance with the Third Book of the Social Code

You may be required to submit additional documents. You'll learn more when completing the online service or from the relevant office.

Please note

The Office for Migration of the Department of the Interior and Sport (BIS) is responsible for your application if:

• Individual photographs for reasons of international law or urgent humanitarian reasons
• Admissions from abroad by the highest state authorities (only for new entries and persons who are legally obliged to leave the country)
• Hardship cases and exceptional hardship cases
• Persons seeking temporary protection
• Victims of certain crimes (human trafficking, undeclared work or illegal temporary employment)

Deadlines

You need approval before you can move.

Procedure

• You apply for changes to the ancillary conditions of your residence permit informally by email.
• 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.
• You pay the necessary fees.
• The responsible authority will decide on your application.
• The ancillary provisions of your residence permit will be changed.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice stating the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees

There are costs involved. These can amount to up to 50 euros.


If you receive social benefits, this application is free of charge.

Payment methods available

• Girocard
• Classic credit card

Legal remedies

Contradiction


Lawsuit before the Administrative Court

Legal basis

Section 12 paragraph 2 Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__12.html


Section 12a Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__12a.html