Residence Permit
The residence permit allows a lawful temporary stay in Germany. It is limited in time and tied to a specific purpose.
At a glance
Legal basis
Key feature
Temporary and tied to a specific purpose
Common purposes
Family reunification · Studies · Employment
Extension
Section 8 AufenthG, as long as the requirements continue to be met
Leads to
Settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit
Authority
Immigration office at your place of residence
The purposes for which a residence permit is granted
The residence permit allows a lawful temporary stay. It can be granted for family reunification, for studies or to take up employment, among other purposes. The list in the Act is not exhaustive.
The purpose determines everything that follows
Because the residence permit is tied to a purpose, the extension, the right to work and later permanent residence all depend on the purpose stated at the outset. Anyone who states the wrong purpose when applying for the visa has to change it later – and that does not succeed in every case.
Extension under Section 8 AufenthG
The residence permit is extended at regular intervals for as long as the requirements for granting it continue to be met. The relevant provision is Section 8 AufenthG.
In good time means: before it expires
The extension should be applied for before the title expires. If the application is filed in time, the existing residence is deemed to continue until a decision is made. Missing the deadline means losing that protection – with consequences for employment, social insurance and later naturalisation.
The path to permanent residence
At the end of this path stand the settlement permit after five years or the EU long-term residence permit. Holders of an EU Blue Card reach it after 21 or 27 months.
What matters is that the periods of residence are unbroken. Every interruption can restart the clock.
Frequently asked questions about the residence permit
May I work with a residence permit?
The permit itself states this. Whether and to what extent gainful employment is allowed depends on the purpose of the residence.
Can I change the purpose later?
A change of purpose is possible, but not in every constellation. It should be examined before the application is filed, not afterwards.
What happens if the application is refused?
Legal remedies are available against a refusal. What matters is the date the decision was served – keep the envelope.
Do social benefits harm my application?
They can stand in the way of an extension, because your livelihood must be secured. We examine the immigration and the social security side together.
