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Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals in Hamburg General Information

Are you a qualified professional or manager from abroad and would like to live and work in Hamburg? Then the Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals is your central point of contact.

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Residence Permit Hamburg

Detailed description

The Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals is an important contact point for skilled workers and newly arrived people from abroad – whether employees, self-employed persons, freelancers or researchers – as well as for their families.



At the Hamburg Welcome Center, you'll receive support with many important steps you need for living and working in Hamburg. These include:

  • the granting, extension or transfer of your residence permit or settlement permit
  • the implementation of the accelerated skilled worker procedure.

Detailed information is available on the Hamburg Welcome Center website, which you can access via the "Links" section.

 

Information

Prerequisites

The Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals is responsible for the following matters:

  • First-time application for a residence permit for the purpose of training or employment after entry (§§ 16a to 21 AufenthG) and associated family reunification
  • Issuance, extension and transfer of residence permits for skilled workers (§§ 18a to 18g Residence Act) and their families
  • Implementation of the accelerated skilled worker procedure
  • Processing participation requests within the visa process

The legal requirements apply to each individual procedure. Information about these can be found in the "Links" section or via the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg."

Documents required

Depending on the nature of your application, different documents may be required. You can find out exactly which documents you need via the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg," via the "Links" section, or directly from the Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals.

Please note

Please always use the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" to apply for a residence permit.



If you have any further concerns regarding your residence permit, please use the online service "Resolve concerns regarding your residence permit."

Deadlines

Depending on the nature of your request, different deadlines may apply.

Procedure

The procedure varies depending on the nature of your request.

Processing time

The wait time for an appointment can be several weeks. If all the necessary documents are available, your request can usually be processed immediately during the appointment.

Fees

Fees vary depending on the type of service. Please note that payment on site is only possible in cash or by debit card.

Payment methods available

  • Girocard
  • Cash payment

Legal remedies

Depending on the procedure: objection or action before the administrative court

Legal basis

Sections 16a - 21 Residence Act (AufenthG)


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

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

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Mon 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tue 8 a.m. to noon, Wed 8 a.m. to noon, Thu 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri 7 a.m. to noon. Please generally make an appointment in advance. Opening times for picking up your electronic residence permit (without an appointment): Mon 8-11.30 a.m. and 1-4.30 p.m., Tue-Wed 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Thu 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

Due to the current risk of infection with the coronavirus (Covid-19), visits by appointment are currently only possible! If you would like to collect your electronic residence permit, please contact us in writing to make an appointment.



If you would like to apply for a residence permit, you can use an existing self-registration terminal (Speed Capture Terminal) to record the necessary biometric data (photo, signature, fingerprints).

Cost: 6 euros.
Please speak to the case processing department at the end of the course.
Please allow a few minutes more time to enter your data before your appointment if you want to use the self-registration terminal.

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Last updated: 16.02.2026