The service was developed by the state of Brandenburg as part of the Online Access Act (OZG). It comprises ten online forms that can be used to digitally apply for Residence permit for various purposes and other residence benefits.
The digital procedure is intended to simplify and speed up the application, examination and issuing of Residence permit . At the same time, the authorities will be relieved. Migrants will have easy access to the application process for their residence permit.
Applying for a Residence permit online: When did the service start?
Brandenburg has been responsible for the topic of "immigration and emigration" as part of the OZG since 2018 and hasdeveloped and continuously expanded "Aufenthalt Digital" during this time. State Secretary of the Interior Wagner described the success as an "export hit from Brandenburg".
Of the more than 500 immigration authorities in Germany, more than half are already using the digital service. Around 150 more authorities are set to follow in the near future.
Aufenthalt Digital: What does the online service offer?
"Aufenthalt Digital" is a one-for-all solution and was developed in such a way that the service can be adopted as easily as possible by the immigration authorities.
The service offers standardized and multilingual online forms that are directly connected to the systems of the immigration authorities. The data is automatically converted into a readable format and can be transferred directly to the electronic files (eFiles).
Ten digital application procedures are currently available, including
- Residence permit for gainful employment - Sections 18a, 18b, 18d, 18g and 19c AufenthG
- Residence permit for family reasons (family reunification) - Sections 27 to 36a AufenthG
- Residence permit for the purpose of training - § 16a, § 16b and § 16g AufenthG
- Amendment of ancillary provisions
- Settlement permit - Sections 9, 18 c, 21, 26, 28, 35 AufenthG
- Residence permit for temporary protection - e.g. in accordance with Section 24 AufenthG for refugees from Ukraine
- Residence cards and residence certificates for EU or EEA citizens
- Accelerated skilled worker procedure
Further services are to follow in the future, such as the application for an employment permit(§ 39 AufenthG).
Applying for a Residence permit : What advantages does the service offer applicants?
The online services make it possible to submit applications regardless of time and place. Paper forms or personal visits to the Foreigners' office are no longer necessary in many cases. The applications are available in several languages and check entries for plausibility, which reduces errors.
Aufenthalt Digital" also offers many advantages for the immigration authorities:
- The applications are recorded digitally and automatically transferred to the specialist procedures and eFiles.
- Manual entries are no longer necessary, which saves a lot of working time.
- Missing documents or additional information can be requested digitally directly from the applicant.
According to the Brandenburg Ministry of the Interior and Local Authorities, around 8,000 applications are submitted online every month across Germany - and the trend is rising. Some immigration authorities already receive over 80% of applications online.
Residence permit Germany: How does the application process work?
- Access via the website of the Foreigners' office: Applicants select the desired procedure there.
- Digital input: The forms are multilingual and equipped with help texts.
- Authentication: In some federal states, registration via user accounts such as BundID or BayernID is required.
- Automatic data transfer: The application is transferred electronically to the authority's systems.
- Confirmation of receipt: As a rule, applicants receive confirmation by e-mail that the digital application has been received by the Foreigners' office .
- Feedback: If documents are missing, the Foreigners' office can request them online. The missing documents can be submitted later (also digitally).
- Notification or appointment: Depending on the procedure, applicants receive a Residence permit or an invitation to a personal interview.
Which authorities offer "Aufenthalt Digital"?
A central list of all participating immigration authorities does not yet exist. In total, more than 300 authorities are now connected nationwide, with around 150 more in the rollout phase.
What is known, however, is that in addition to Amberg-Sulzbach, many other cities and districts also offer the digital service of the immigration authorities, including, among others:
- City of Berlin
- City of Chemnitz
- City of Düsseldorf
- City of Duisburg
- City of Hamburg
- City of Leipzig
- City of Gelsenkirchen
- City of Heidelberg
- City of Munich
- City of Frankfurt am Main
- City of Tübingen
