Apply for or extend your residence permit for an independent right of residence, separate from the purpose of family reunification, at the Hamburg Service.

Prerequisites

• Your marital partnership no longer exists because you have separated from your spouse or your spouse has died.
• Until your separation, the common marital partnership existed legally in Germany for at least 3 years or
  • The deadline does not need to be observed if it is necessary to avoid particular hardship. For example, particular hardship exists if, due to domestic violence, it is unreasonable for you to maintain the continuation of your marital relationship.
• At the time of your spouse's death, your marital partnership existed legally in Germany.

Depending on your individual circumstances, different requirements may apply. The responsible authority can inform you accordingly.

Documents required

• valid passport or passport replacement of your country of origin
• biometric passport photo in electronic form
  • You can have your passport photo taken on-site. A photo booth is available.
  • You can have a passport photo taken by a certified photographer or participating drugstores. This photo will be made available electronically to the responsible authority via a cloud service.
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof of the date of separation,
• If applicable: death certificate of the spouse

Depending on your specific case, other documents may be required. The responsible authority can inform you accordingly.

Please note

Deadlines

Submit your application immediately after entry or at the latest 8 weeks before the expiry of your still valid residence permit

Procedure

• You use the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" to apply for a residence permit and upload the required documents.
• The responsible office will then send you an appointment for an interview.
• Please bring all required documents, preferably in original, to the appointment.
• The responsible authority will check your identity and documents.
• The competent authority shall involve other authorities where necessary.
• You pay the necessary fees.
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints, signature and a biometric photo will be taken to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• The responsible authority commissions an external agency, the Federal Printing Office, to produce your eAT.
• Once the eAT is ready, you can pick it up in person from the responsible office. The responsible office will schedule an appointment for you.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice stating the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

Processing will begin immediately at the appointment if all documents are complete. The delivery time for the electronic residence permit from the Federal Printing Office is typically two to four weeks.

Fees

• Extension for a further stay of up to 3 months: 96.00 EUR


• Extension for a further stay of more than 3 months: 93.00 EUR

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 31 Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__28.html