Apply for a residence permit change of employment conditions at the Hamburg Service

Does your residence permit contain conditions regarding your employment? Learn how to apply for a change to the additional conditions at the Hamburg Service here.

Detailed description

You must apply for a change to the ancillary conditions if your residence permit contains conditions relating to your employment or your employer and you wish to change employers or your place of work.


The Hamburg Service is responsible for:

  • People completing vocational training
  • People who complete a course of study,
  • Persons who are staying in the country for the purpose of obtaining recognition of their foreign professional qualifications,
  • People who work as au pairs
  • Persons employed as specialty chefs,
  • People employed as language teachers
  • People participating in the Federal Voluntary Service or the European Voluntary Service
  • People looking for a job after completing vocational training at school or in a company
  • People seeking employment with a recognized foreign vocational qualification
  • Self-employed persons and freelancers
  • Self-employed persons who have already been recognized as refugees (or similar) in another EU country
  • Self-employed former scientists and researchers
  • Other employees who are not skilled workers

Further information can be found in the “Links” section.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You belong to the group of eligible persons.
  • You live in Hamburg.
  • You have a residence permit with conditions regarding your employment.
  • You would like to change your employer or your job.
  • You have an income that secures your livelihood.
  • You have a job, a training place or a place at university.
  • Your training or degree is recognized in Germany.

Documents required

The required documents depend on the specific reason for your employer change. 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
  • the last three pay slips
  • Training contract or certificate of study
  • 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 Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals is responsible for:

  • Skilled workers with completed vocational training or a university degree
  • Researchers
  • EU Blue Card holders
  • ICT card holder

Further information can be found in the “Links” section.

Deadlines

You need consent before changing jobs.

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.
  • 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

Processing time depends on the individual case. It typically takes four weeks.

Fees

The change to the ancillary employment clause is free of charge.

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 4a paragraph 2 sentence 2 Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__4a.html


Section 18 Residence Act (AufenthG)


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


Section 82 paragraph 6 Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__82.html


Section 9 Employment Ordinance (BeschV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/beschv_2013/__9.html


Section 47 paragraph 2 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__47.html


Decision No 1/80 of the EEC/Türkiye Association Council


https://www.migrationsrecht.net/kommentar-arb1-80-assoziationsratsbeschluss-ewg-tuerkei-arb-1/80.html


General application instructions of the Federal Ministry of the Interior on Decision No. 1/80 of the EEC/Türkiye Association Council and on Article 41 paragraph 1 of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement (AAH – ARB 1/80)


https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/downloads/DE/veroeffentlichungen/themen/migration/anwendungshinweise-assoziationsrecht-ewg-tuerkei.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2

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Keywords: Section 12 paragraph 2 Residence Act Section 4a paragraph 2 sentence 2 (Residence Act) § 18 (Residence Act) Section 82 paragraph 6 (Residence Act) § 9 (Employment Regulation) Section 47 paragraph 2 Residence Ordinance

Last updated: 15.02.2026