How it works
- You enter with a national visa (D) for a specific purpose.
- Before the visa expires you apply at your local Ausländerbehörde (in some cities called Landesamt für Einwanderung or Welcome Center) for a residence permit — a card called eAT.
- The permit is tied to its purpose. Changing purpose (for example from study to work) needs a new permit or approval.
Common permits and what they lead to
| Permit | Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after |
|---|---|
| EU Blue Card | 27 months, or 21 months with German at B1 |
| Skilled worker §18a/§18b | 3 years with 36 months of pension contributions and German at B1 (§18c) |
| Other employment / general | 5 years, 60 months of pension contributions, B1, "Leben in Deutschland" test |
| Spouse of a German | 3 years of living together, B1 |
| Graduates of German universities | 2 years of qualified work after graduation (§18c) |
Citizenship: 5 years of legal residence, B1 German, the citizenship test, ability to support yourself. The 3-year fast track was abolished in October 2025. Since June 2024 you may keep your previous citizenship.
Typical documents for the eAT appointment
Passport, biometric photo, Meldebescheinigung, employment contract + employer declaration (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis), proof of health insurance, rental contract, degree (Blue Card), fee (€100 for most permits up to 1 year; more for longer or settlement permits).
Rules that protect your status
- Apply before expiry. A timely application creates a Fiktionsbescheinigung — you may keep working.
- Changing jobs: Blue Card holders must notify the Ausländerbehörde of a job change during the first 12 months. Other permits may name the employer — check the "Nebenbestimmungen" (conditions) on the card and in the additional sheet.
- Losing your job: for most work permits you must notify the Ausländerbehörde within 2 weeks. You will usually be given time to find a new job. Unemployment benefit (ALG I) is an insurance benefit and does not harm your status (Chapter 27).
- Absences of 6+ months can end the permit (Chapter 8).
- Slow office? After 3 months without a decision, a lawyer can file an Untätigkeitsklage (lawsuit for inaction, §75 VwGO). This often speeds up a stuck case (Chapter 42).
Special case: refugees and protection holders
Family reunification for people with subsidiary protection is suspended until 23 July 2027, except for hardship cases. Get advice from a migration counselling service (MBE) or Pro Asyl.
Official sources: bamf.de · make-it-in-germany.com · your city's Ausländerbehörde page