Apply for a fictitious certificate

Have you applied for a residence permit but haven't received a decision yet? Here you can find out how and where to apply for a temporary residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung).

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Residence permit Hamburg
Residence Permit Hamburg

Detailed description

If you have not yet received a decision on your application for a residence permit, you can apply for the issuance of a fictitious residence permit.
This is possible if:

  • Documents are missing or the foreigner's file is not available,
  • An ordered electronic residence permit (eAT) cannot be issued before the expiry of the previous residence permit.

By possessing a fictitious residence permit, you prove your continued legal residence until the competent authority makes a decision on your pending application.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You have applied for the extension of your existing residence permit or for the initial issuance of a residence permit.
  • They are legally residing in Germany:
    • You have a valid residence permit (residence permit or national visa for longer stays of category D).
    • You are legally allowed to stay in Germany without a visa because your nationality entitles you to do so (Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America).
  • Her main residence is in Hamburg.

Documents required

  • Passport or passport substitute
  • Previous residence permit, if applicable
  • Application for the issuance of a residence permit or application for the extension of an existing residence permit
  • Proof of main residence in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg:
    • Registration confirmation or rental agreement

Please note

A certificate of fictitious residence cannot be issued to holders of a Schengen visa for short stays (category C).

Deadlines

No

Procedure

HWC-P customers:

  • They use the online service to apply for the issuance of a fictitious residence permit and to upload the required documents.
  • The responsible authority will then send you a certificate of fictitious residence by post.
  • You will pay the necessary fees at your next appointment with the relevant authority.

Customers of Hamburg Service:

  • Please contact the relevant office by email to request the issuance of a fictitious residence permit and send the required documents as a PDF attachment.
  • The responsible authority will then send you a certificate of fictitious residence by post.
  • You will pay the necessary fees at your next appointment with the relevant authority.

Processing time

You will receive your certificate of fictitious residence shortly by post.

Fees

Fees apply according to the Residence Ordinance:


  • Adults: 13.00 EUR

  • Minors: 6.50 EUR


If you receive public benefits under Social Security Code II or XII, you may be exempt from the fees.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 81 paragraph 5 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__81.html

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Links on the Internet

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Keywords: stay eAT

Last updated: 15.02.2026