Department of Home Affairs and Sport

Toleration permit first issue or extension

If returning to your home country is impossible, you can obtain a temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung). Here you can find information about costs, procedures, and required documents.

Detailed description

A tolerated stay is a document that allows you to remain in Germany temporarily, even if you are legally required to leave the country. This status can be granted if deportation is currently not possible, for example, because important documents are missing, you are ill, or it would be dangerous for you in your country of origin.


It's important to know that a temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung) is not a residence permit. A Duldung does not mean you officially have the right to stay in Germany permanently. Instead, your deportation is suspended for a specific period. You are still obligated to leave the country, but are allowed to remain in Germany for the time being.



You must actively apply for a temporary residence permit. However, it can also be granted to you as part of an official procedure if the relevant requirements are met. The permit is usually granted for a short period and is regularly extended.

 

Information

Prerequisites

Their deportation is currently not possible for factual or legal reasons.

Documents required

  • Proof of identity (passport, ID card, substitute ID card)
  • Proof of income, employment, housing, social assistance, unemployment benefits
  • Current registration certificate (only required if you change your place of residence or are absent for an extended period)

Evidence, if available:

  • Completion of school or vocational training in Germany
  • Proof of successful completion of the full integration course (language course and orientation course) or naturalization test or "Living in Germany" test and language certificate A2 or higher

Please note

As a person with tolerated stay status, you are obligated to actively participate in the process (for example, by clarifying your identity, attending appointments, and assisting in obtaining necessary documents). Failure to comply with this obligation to cooperate may result in your tolerated stay status not being granted or not being extended.


In addition to the general tolerated stay, there are the training tolerated stay and the employment tolerated stay. A training tolerated stay is granted if you are completing a recognized vocational training program of at least two years. During this time, you will not be deported, and after completing the training, you can apply for a residence permit. The employment tolerated stay applies to individuals who have been in permanent employment for at least one year and are well integrated. In this case, too, deportation is suspended as long as employment continues and the requirements are met.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • The responsible authority determines that you do not have a residence permit and are required to leave the country.
  • The responsible authority will examine whether there are any reasons against your deportation.
  • If there are obstacles to deportation, the responsible authority will issue a toleration permit.
  • The competent authority checks at regular intervals whether the reasons for the toleration still exist or whether the situation has changed.

Processing time

Up to several months.

Fees

The fee payable is


When issuing a certificate of suspension of deportation (initial issuance)


as an adhesive label 58.00 EUR


as a carrier form 62.00 EUR


When renewing a certificate of suspension of deportation (extension)


as an adhesive label 33.00 EUR


as a carrier form 37.00 EUR


In rare cases, a reduction of the fee is possible.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 60a paragraph 4 Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__60a.html

Related services

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

Department of Home Affairs and Sport

Mon-Tue 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Thu-Fri 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and by appointment - closed on Wednesdays

Due to the pandemic spread of the disease COVID-19 caused by the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 ("Corona virus"), personal visits in the service building in Hammer Straße are not required and should only take place in emergencies or by appointment.



The following procedures therefore apply until further notice:

  • Holders of residence permits, residence permits, tolerations or other documents relating to residence law (e.g. fiction certificates) whose validity is about to expire will receive a certificate confirming the continuation of legality. At the same time, with this certificate, you will be given a preliminary appointment in a few weeks.
  • The certificate is currently sent by letter
  • If the residents' central office is visited due to the expiry of the validity of the previously valid document, the certificate will be issued in the entrance area
  • The previous document on the right of residence in the federal territory is only valid in connection with the certificate until the preliminary interview.
  • This also applies to all ancillary provisions to your document (e.g. type and scope of permitted employment).
  • Travel abroad and re-entry into the federal territory are only possible with a still valid residence permit.

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Keywords: Work permit, tolerated foreigners

Last updated: 17.05.2026