How can I apply for Settlement permit
If you want something from German authorities (such as Foreigners' office), you usually have to fill out an application form. Such forms are often difficult to understand. This means that people who do not yet have a perfect command of the German language often have problems when applying. There is a risk that you will forget a form or fill it out incorrectly. Migrando Therefore, we offer you the opportunity to apply for Settlement permit quickly and easily with the help of our team of experts. Simply take our free test here .
Necessary documents
The documents you need to submit in individual cases can vary greatly. This depends, among other things, on which Foreigners' office is responsible for you and on which legal basis your Settlement permit should be based. Thanks to our many years of practical experience, we now know the various immigration authorities in Germany and their respective preferences very well and know exactly which documents need to be submitted in your specific situation.
A blanket answer cannot be given in this case either.
As a rule, however, the following documents are required:
- A valid passport
- A current biometric photo
(frontal photo with a neutral facial expression; further information can be found here) - Your proof of income
(employment contract, employer's certificate, salary statements, pension insurance history, any tax assessments or pension statements) - Your proof of sufficient living space
(rental agreement or purchase contract with details of living space and monthly rent or housing costs) - Proof of your health insurance cover
(confirmation of insurance cover from the statutory health insurance fund or, in the case of privately insured persons, proof of contribution payments, e.g. bank statements) - Your proof of pension provision
(pension information from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or proof from another comparable insurance or pension institution) - Your certificate for the integration course
(confirmation of participation or certificate of successful participation) - If applicable, proof of receipt of other benefits
(If you receive other benefits such as child benefit, parental allowance, childcare allowance or similar, you must submit the notifications)
What if I am missing documents?
We often find that clients do not have a valid national passport, do not have a written tenancy agreement from the landlord or have not yet successfully passed the integration test "Test - Living in Germany". This is generally not a problem. We almost always find a way of replacing the missing documents or submitting them late. So don't worry if you are still missing documents.
Settlement permit Application (sample)
The following example shows what an application form normally looks like.
Further questions
Migrando has specialized in helping you apply for a Settlement permit . Our experts at Immigration law therefore receive many questions on the subject every day. For this reason, we would like to answer the most frequently asked questions for you here.
When can I submit the application?
It is best to apply for Settlement permit immediately if you meet the requirements. It does not make sense to let time pass. The conditions for Settlement permit vary greatly and, above all, depend on how many requirements you already meet. We are therefore unable to give a general answer. It must be analyzed individually in your case.
In principle, German law requires a period of residence of 5 years. In individual cases, however, you can also apply for Settlement permit after just 2 or 3 years. So if you came to Germany before 2016, you should definitely take a look at Settlement permit .
What requirements must I fulfill?
In order to obtain a permanent right of residence, you must fulfill various requirements.
These are regulated in the Residence Act under Section 9 Residence Act. Because the Residence Act is very complex and not easy to understand in every respect, we at Migrando have developed a test that will tell you whether you are eligible in your individual case. You can find this free test here.
Further information on the individual requirements can be found on our website, in particular in our blog posts.
*Here*, for example, we explain how you can obtain a Settlement permit as a trainee.
Where must the application be submitted?
The application for Settlement permit must be submitted in writing to the Foreigners' office of your main place of residence. It is therefore important that you send the documents to the authority responsible for you. If you meet all the requirements and have submitted the application correctly, you will receive the Settlement permit in the form of a check card with additional electronic functions.
Can I apply for Settlement permit for my entire family using one form?
No, a separate form must be completed for each family member for whom an Settlement permit is to be applied for. It is not possible to submit several applications for Settlement permit in one form. The application is regulated in § 81 AufenthG.
When will I receive the Settlement permit?
What does a Settlement permit cost?
The permanent right of residence costs between €100 and €150 per person. A distinction is also made here between the different legal bases, which is why different prices are charged. As a rule, the cost for a Settlement permit is €113. Highly qualified persons, on the other hand, pay €147 and self-employed persons €124. The fees are based on Section 44 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV).
Special regulations are laid down for minors in § 50 Para. 1 AufenthV. According to § 50 para. 1 sentence 1, only 50% of the costs are incurred for children.
How long does the processing take?
You currently have to wait around 12 months for a decision from Foreigners' office without the help of Migrando . This can become a problem for you if, for example, your professional situation changes during this time (job change, job loss or short-time work) or you need an Settlement permit as quickly as possible for other important reasons (such as family planning).
Why is the processing time expected to be more than 1 year soon?
A large number of foreigners have come to Germany since 2015. As a result, the number of applications is constantly increasing. As a permanent right of residence can generally be applied for after 5 years, Foreigners' office is expecting an enormous wave of applications in the near future. There is therefore a risk that the immigration authorities will be completely overloaded, which will most likely increase your waiting time enormously. In view of political developments in Germany, it is also advisable to apply for Settlement permit as soon as possible. Due to the upcoming elections this year and current political trends, a U-turn in refugee policy cannot be ruled out. After that, it could become significantly more difficult for you to obtain a permanent residence permit for Germany.
Summary
To apply for a Settlement permit , a written application must be submitted to the responsible Foreigners' office . However, many mistakes can be made in the process. We at Migrando want to help you avoid these and successfully enforce your rights.
Advantages of applying for Settlement permit via Migrando:
- No errors when completing the application
- Enormously accelerated procedure
- Uncomplicated process
- Enforcement of your claim in court if necessary
If you would like to benefit from our experience, we will be happy to check your individual requirements. Start by taking our free test here.
Do you still have questions?
Why does Migrando get you to Settlement permit faster?
If you submit the application with the help of Migrando, our lawyers will be at your side. They can file an application with Lawsuit for failure of act after just 3 months and thus sue for a decision from Foreigners' office . This will shorten your waiting time considerably and you will obtain your permanent right of residence quickly and safely.
Why are applications rejected without Migrando ?
As already mentioned, the immigration authorities have been extremely overloaded since 2015. This means that the employees of the authorities often do not know every detail of the complex legal situation at Immigration law. Our lawyers, who have been working in this field for years, stand up for your rights and clarify such problems directly with the immigration authorities for you. As a result, Migrando has already been able to help many people achieve their goal.
What happens if my application is rejected?
If your application has been rejected by Foreigners' office , it is important to seek advice from an expert.
Our residence law lawyers can first check whether the rejection was lawful. If this is not the case, you can lodge a reasoned objection directly with the authority or submit a new application for reasons of effectiveness. Thanks to our many years of experience in the field of residence law and previous legal disputes with the BAMF and various immigration authorities, we know which exceptions to the Residence Act may apply in your case.
