Apply for a residence permit for humanitarian or political reasons under international law

Are you staying in Germany for international, humanitarian, or political reasons? Find out how to apply for a residence permit here.

Detailed description

If you cannot return to your home country for international, humanitarian, or political reasons, you have the option of obtaining a residence permit. This permit allows you to stay and work in Germany for a specific period of time. Which office in Hamburg is responsible for your application depends on your case;



The Office for Migration of the Department of Home Affairs and Sport (BIS) is responsible for:

  • 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
  • Asylum seekers
  • refugees
  • Persons entitled to subsidiary protection
  • Persons for whom there is a ban on deportation
  • Persons who are legally obliged to leave the country and for whom humanitarian, personal or other legal or factual reasons make leaving the country impossible
  • Victims of certain crimes (human trafficking, undeclared work or illegal temporary employment)
  • Integrated foreign nationals and certain family members with close family ties in Germany.

The Hamburg Service is responsible for:

  • Admissions from abroad by the highest state authorities (not for new entries and persons subject to enforceable departure)
  • Recordings in cases of particularly political interests
  • Resettlement of asylum seekers

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

 

Information

Documents required

Which documents you need to submit depends on the individual case. Further information can be found in the "Links" section or from the responsible office.

Deadlines

 

Processing time

 

Fees

The costs involved depend on the individual case. Further information can be found in the "Links" section or from the responsible office.

Legal remedies

 

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Keywords: asylum Moonlighting refugee Family reunification Hardship human trafficking protection seekers § 23 Residence Act § 25a Residence Act § 25b Residence Act Resettlement subsidiary § 22 Residence Act § 24 Residence Act

Last updated: 15.02.2026