You are unsure about your residence status
First check the documents you already have. If it is not clear on what basis you are currently staying in Germany or how long your stay is allowed, clarify this with the responsible foreigners' authority.
What you should do now
- First clarify on what basis you are currently in Germany.
- Check whether you have to apply for a residence permit.
- Find your responsible foreigners' authority.
Which document do you have, and how long is it valid?
Take a calm look at your residence document. What matters most is the type of document, the validity date and any remarks.
- With a temporary residence permit the validity date is especially important. With an unlimited right of residence, on the other hand, it may only be the electronic card itself that has to be reissued.
- So always check which type of residence permit you have.
- The electronic residence permit does not replace your passport. So also check whether your passport is still valid.
Important: don't wait until after it expires
If you have to extend your residence permit or apply for a different one, submit the application before your current permit expires.
- Find out early how your responsible foreigners authority accepts the application and which documents it requires.
Is your application still pending?
If you applied in good time before expiry to extend your existing residence permit or for a different one, your previous permit generally continues to apply until the foreigners' authority decides.
- A Fiktionsbescheinigung (provisional certificate) is a document from the foreigners' authority that can confirm what effect your pending application has on your stay.
- What a Fiktionsbescheinigung allows depends on the basis on which it was issued. So check the entries on your specific certificate.
- Different rules apply to Schengen short-stay visas and other starting situations.
Where do you clarify your stay?
For residence permits in Germany, the responsible foreigners' authority at your place of residence is generally the main point of contact.
Has something important changed?
A residence permit is issued for a specific purpose of stay. If that purpose changes substantially, it can matter for your stay.
- Your employment ends or changes.
- Your training ends or you change training company.
- You end or change your studies.
- Your family situation changes.
- When something important changes, check early whether you have to inform the foreigners' authority or apply for a different residence permit.
Terms on this page
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This is orientation, not legal advice. Please check the details at the official source.
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