Aufenthaltserlaubnis für außergewöhnliche Härtefälle beantragen

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit for special personal reasons or special circumstances.

You are in possession of a residence permit. Your residence permit cannot be extended in accordance with the general regulations. A residence permit in accordance with other regulations is also out of the question. This residence permit can be extended if, due to special circumstances of the individual case, leaving the federal territory would mean exceptional hardship for you.

The general requirements for the granting of a residence permit must also be met (in particular securing your livelihood, clarified identity, no interest in deportation).

The residence permit does not entitle you to pursue gainful employment, which may be permitted by the immigration authority upon application.

A residence requirement may be imposed on you.

You are entitled to social benefits (basic income support for jobseekers under Social Security Code II or basic income support in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity under Social Security Code XII) and child benefit.

Family reunification is excluded.

You are not entitled to participate in an integration course. You can only be admitted to a course if there are places available.

• Presentation of the currently valid residence permit
• Current biometric photo
• Proof of identity, e.g. passport, ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate; proof of citizenship
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• for regulated professions: Your professional license (e.g. license to practice medicine or professional license)
• Proof of your health insurance
• rental agreement

• Possession of a residence permit
• No possibility of extending or issuing another residence permit
• Special circumstances of the individual case justify exceptional hardship
• Threat of enforceable obligation to leave the country
• Presentation of the general requirements for granting the permit (e.g. securing a livelihood, sufficient living space, passport requirement)
• No interest in deportation
• No entry and residence ban

Exemption from fees when receiving social benefits

As a rule, you must apply in person for an extension of your residence permit due to exceptional hardship.

Arrange an appointment with the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence. You can also find out about the application process and which documents you need to submit and in what form on the website of the immigration office.

Your fingerprints will be taken during your appointment.

If your application is approved, the foreigners authority will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT). The residence permit is in the form of a check card.

For information on the duration of the procedure until the residence permit is issued, please contact the relevant immigration authority.

When applying for a residence permit, you will usually be informed of the duration of the procedure by the responsible immigration authority (approx. 6 to 8 weeks).

Note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit.

Validity of the residence permit:

• Generally only for the period required to achieve the purpose of residence.

No longer than three years

Time limit for appeal: 1 month

Exceptional hardship can only be assumed if you are in an emergency situation that differs significantly from the situation of other foreigners (detailed justification required).

The decision of the immigration authority can be appealed to the court named in the decision.

• Residence permit for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons Issued in cases of exceptional hardship
• Prerequisites:
  • Possession of a residence permit
  • Extension or granting of a residence permit on the basis of other regulations is out of the question
  • Leaving the federal territory constitutes exceptional hardship due to special circumstances of the individual case
  • Fulfillment of the general requirements for granting
• Legal consequences of the granting of a residence permit:
  • Gainful employment only permitted with the permission of the immigration authority
  • Entitlement to social benefits
  • No family reunification possible
  • No entitlement to integration course, admission to integration course only within the scope of available course places
  • No entitlement to extension of the residence permit by the immigration authority
• Personal appearance required: yes
• Fees:
  • A fee of 100 euros is payable when the residence permit is issued (50 euros for minors)
  • Exemption from fees if you receive social benefits
• Responsible: Your local immigration office

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

You will receive this from your local foreigners authority

Online procedure possible in some cases

Personal appearance required: yes