Aufenthaltserlaubnis aus völkerrechtlichen, humanitären oder politischen Gründen Erteilung für außergewöhnliche Härtefälle

Section 25 paragraph 4 sentence 2 Residence Act (AufenthG)
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__25.html

You can obtain a residence permit in cases of exceptional hardship.

You have a residence permit and your residence permit cannot be extended according to the general regulations. A residence permit according to other regulations is also not an option. In this case, this residence permit can be extended for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons if, due to special circumstances in the individual case, leaving the federal territory of Germany would be exceptionally hard for you. You must submit an application to the responsible authority for this.

• Presentation of the currently valid residence permit
• current biometric photo
• Proof of identity (e.g. passport, ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate)
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• for regulated professions, additionally: your professional authorisation (for example, licence to practice a profession or professional practice permit)
• Proof of your existing health insurance
• rental contract

• You are in possession of a residence permit
• You have no possibility of extending your residence permit or obtaining another residence permit
• You are threatened with the obligation to leave the country
• Special circumstances of the individual case justify exceptional hardship, which would mean for you to leave the country
• The general requirements for a residence permit are met (your livelihood is secured, you have sufficient living space available, your identity is clear)
• There is no interest in deporting you, nor is there a ban on entry or residence

Adults: 100.00 EUR
Minors: 50.00 EUR

• Find out whether the office responsible for your application allows you to submit your application online or has a special application form. In Hamburg, the application can be submitted online.
• You submit your application.
• The responsible authority will examine your application and, if necessary, request any necessary documents or information from you.
• The responsible office will contact you to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably in the original, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• You pay the applicable fees.
• The Federal Printing Office will be commissioned to produce your new eAT card.
• Once completed, you will receive information and can collect the residence permit in the form of the eAT card in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection letter. In this case, you will also have to pay an administration fee.

You should expect processing to take 6-8 weeks. If you submit all the required documents in full and well prepared, processing may be quicker. After approval, it will then take another 4-6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce your electronic residence permit.

Application deadline: None

Validity of the residence permit: period of time required to achieve the purpose of the stay

Exceptional hardship can only be assumed if you are in a situation of hardship that is clearly different from the situation of other people of foreign origin.

The residence permit does not entitle you to work. If you want to work, you must apply for a separate permit.

You can appeal against a rejection within one month of notification.

• Apply for a residence permit for exceptional hardship cases
• Possession of a residence permit is a prerequisite
• Extension or granting of a residence permit based on other regulations is not possible
• Leaving the federal territory represents an exceptional hardship due to special circumstances of the individual case
• A residence permit for exceptional hardship cases can be issued upon application

Department of Home Affairs and Sport