Hamburg Welcome Center

Apply for a residence permit and change of employment requirements at the Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals

Does your residence permit contain conditions related to your employer? Learn how to apply for a change to the additional conditions at the Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals here.

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Clarify concerns about residence permits

Detailed description

Residence permits for employment purposes usually contain additional conditions. These conditions determine which employer you may work for and in which position. If you want to change jobs, you must submit an application to the responsible authority and have the additional conditions changed. You may only take up the new job if your residence permit permits it.



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 under Sections 18a to 18g of the Residence Act (AufenthG) with conditions regarding your employment.
  • You would like to change your employer or your job.
  • You continue to meet the requirements that were relevant when your residence permit was issued.

Documents required

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

  • New employment contract or job offer
  • Completed form “Declaration of employment relationship”
  • Last 3 pay slips

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

Please note

If your residence permit already includes the "Employment Permitted" clause, you may change jobs without the approval of the immigration authorities. If your permit includes the "Gainful Employment Permitted" clause, you may also work as a self-employed or freelancer. Further information can be found in the "Links" section.

Deadlines

You may only perform the new activity after the ancillary provision has been changed.

Procedure

  • You apply for the change via the service portal “Clarify concerns about your residence permit” and upload the required documents.
  • The responsible authority will review your 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.
  • You will receive an appointment to collect the amended supplementary sheet to your residence permit.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case. If approval from the Federal Employment Agency is required, please allow approximately two weeks. The responsible agency will then process your application promptly.

Fees

The change is usually free of charge.

Legal remedies


  • Contradiction

  • Lawsuit before the Administrative Court

Legal basis

Section 4a Residence Act (AufenthG)


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


Section 9 Employment Ordinance (BeschV)


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

Address and contact information

Hamburg Welcome Center

If you have a residence permit as a skilled worker under Sections 18a to 18g of the Residence Act, the Hamburg Welcome Center is responsible for you. In all other cases, the Hamburg Service Center on site is responsible.

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Keywords: § 18 Residence Act Change of job Change of employer

Last updated: 10.06.2026