Permanent settlement permit for qualified skilled workers - application - Services - Service Berlin

You have worked for 3 years in Germany as a skilled foreign worker with a professional qualification, an academic degree or in research? In this case, you will be granted a permanent settlement permit upon application if you meet the requirements.

If you have completed vocational training or a course of study in Germany, this is possible after just 2 years of employment as a skilled worker.

You are a skilled worker with an EU Blue Card?*

Slightly lower requirements with shorter deadlines then apply. Please refer to the respective service in the "More information" section.

Procedure
1. Please note the following information before submitting an application:

Please use the Quick-Checks first (under “Do it online now") to find out quickly and easily whether your application is likely to be successful.
Check once again whether you meet all the requirements and have the documents and evidence listed in the "Required documents" section. Make digital copies of the documents (PDF format) so that you can submit them in the online application.
The online application is extensive, so it takes some time to complete. However, you can interrupt the application at any time, save it temporarily and resume it at a later time.

2. Carry out the online application „Niederlassungserlaubnis für Fachkräfte“

Please have all the necessary documents ready for this in PDF format. Depending on the individual situation, further documents may be required in individual cases.
The total size of your files must not exceed 100 MB. A single file must not exceed 7 MB in size.
Before you can send off the application, you need to pay the service fee.
At the end you will receive a PDF document to confirm your application. This document will certify that your current residence title remains valid in the federal territory beyond the previous validity date. (This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay).
Please therefore make sure to save this document and print a copy if possible.

3. Once you have carried out the online application, we will check it and then contact you as soon as possible. Where necessary, we will request further documents.

4. If your application is considered to be successful, you will be given an appointment for an in-person interview.

Because of the high number of applications, however, this can take some time. We ask you for your understanding and patience.
Please bring all documents in the original specified in the invitation letter.

Prerequisites

Permitted employment as a skilled worker with a professional qualification, an academic degree or in research for 3 or 2 years
- You have held a residence title for at least 3 years, which allows you to work as a skilled worker. This includes, in particular, residence permits under Sections 18a, 18b or 18d of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz).
- The period is reduced to 2 years if you have successfully completed vocational training or a course of study in Germany.
- The time you have held a national visa will also be taken into account if you have already been employed as a skilled worker with permission under the visa to do so
You continue to work as a skilled worker
Old-age provision
- You have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme for at least 36 months. Expenses for an entitlement to comparable benefits from a private insurance company or a pension institution are also accepted.
- If you have successfully completed vocational training or a course of study in Germany, 24 months are also sufficient.
Sufficient command of German

Sufficient German language skills correspond to level B 1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Secured livelihood through own income
- Your livelihood and that of your close family members (spouse/life partner and children) is secured. You must not receive or be entitled to any benefits from a job center or social welfare office under the second or twelfth German Social Code (such as the Bürgergeld citizen's allowance or social assistance).
- In the case of a domestic partnership in the context of a marriage or same-sex civil partnership, proof of income can also be provided by the spouse or civil partner.
- With the Quick Check (under “Do it online now”) you can check free of charge whether your income currently covers your living expenses.
Adequate health insurance

You have health insurance in Germany, either in the statutory health insurance system or a comparable private health insurance.
Foreign health insurance is not sufficient. For more information, please read the leaflet.
You have no previous convictions or are the subject of an open investigation
- Fines alone can prevent the granting of a permanent settlement permit.
- An application for a permanent settlement permit may not be processed while investigation proceedings are ongoing.
Basic knowledge of the German legal and social order and living conditions in Germany
Basic knowledge is assumed to be present in particular if
- an integration course or the "Living in Germany" orientation course has been successfully completed,
- an educational or vocational qualification was obtained in Germany or
- you have completed at least one year of schooling or vocational training in Germany.
Sufficient living space

You have sufficient living space for yourself and the family members living with you at home.
Main residence in Berlin during the residence for research purposes

You live in Berlin. A second residence in Berlin is not sufficient.
Current email adress

The Berlin Immigration Office will contact you via your current email address. Please also check your spam folder regularly.
For the online application: Consent to the electronic payment process
The following methods of payment are available to you:
- Credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
- Paypal

Documents required

Application for a permanent settlement permit for qualified skilled workers (with Quick-Check)
- only possible online
- You will receive a PDF document to confirm your application. This document will certify that your current residence title remains valid in the federal territory beyond the previous validity date. (This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay).
- Please therefore make sure to save this document and print a copy if possible.
In the case of an application being filed by an authorised representative: power of attorney stating the subject matter of the procedure
Passport copies (in color)

Copies of the data pages of your passport or passport replacement (with your photo and personal data) are required.
Copy of your current residence title
Proof of your employment as a skilled worker
- Employment contract,
- Proof of net salary for the last 6 months (wage slips, bank statements),
- current certificate from the employer (not older than 14 days) and
Proof of health insurance in Germany
- for statutory health insurance: up-to-date confirmation of health insurance
- for private health insurance: certificate from the insurance company that states the scope and cost of the insurance. Please tell your insurance company that you need the certificate for a permanent residence title.
Proof of the size and cost of the living space
The floor space and the monthly rent or housing costs of your own property (house or apartment) must be demonstrated as follows.
In the case of a rental property:
- Tenancy agreement (without house rules or other annexes) and
- Proof of the current monthly costs (rent with utility costs included – “Warmmiete”), e.g. bank statements
In the case of an owned property:
- Extract from the land register, third section,
- Costs of the home-owner charges and possible monthly loan costs for the property
Old-age provision
- Pension information from the German Pension Insurance or
- Proof of entitlement to comparable pension benefits from an insurance or pension institution or insurance company
After vocational training or studies in Germany: Proof of the degree achieved

Certificates, diplomas
Proof of German language skills at level B 1 of the CEFR
In particular, the following proof is possible:
- language certificate with an overall result of B 1 of the CEFR or an equivalent or higher language diploma,
- certificate of successful completion of the integration course,
- at least 4 years of successful attendance at a German general education school (promotion to the next higher grade) and an average grade of at least “sufficient” in the last school report,
- promotion to the tenth grade of a general education German school,
- acquisition of vocational qualification or an equivalent level of education or school leaving certificate from a general education school,
- successful completion of a German-language qualified vocational training,
- successful completion of a German-language course of study at a university or university of applied sciences or
- German-language doctorate from a German university
Evidence of knowledge of the German legal and social order
In particular, the following proof is possible:
- certificate of successful completion of the integration course,
- certificate of successful completion of the orientation course,
- certificate of successful completion of the “Test Living in Germany”,
- certificate of successful completion of the naturalization test,
- at least 4 years of successful attendance at a German general education school (promotion to the next higher grade) and an average grade of at least “sufficient” in the last school report,
- promotion to the tenth grade of a general education German school,
- acquisition of vocational qualification or an equivalent level of education or school leaving certificate from a general education school,
- successful completion of a German qualified vocational training or completion of a corresponding training in Germany for at least one year,
- successful completion of a degree at a German university or university of applied sciences,
- German-language doctorate from a German university or
- obtaining a state license to practice the profession independently (approbation)

Fees

For highly skilled workers holding an university degree

73.50 Euro: Processing fee (for the online application)
73.50 Euro: Issuing fee (for in-person appointments)

For skilled workers in all other cases

56.50 Euro: Processing fee (for the online application)
56.50 Euro: Issuing fee (for in-person appointments)

For Turkish nationals up to the age of 24

11.40 Euro: Processing fee (for the online application)
11.40 Euro: Issuing fee (for in-person appointments)

For Turkish nationals as from the age of 24

18.50 Euro: Processing fee (for the online application)
18.50 Euro: Issuing fee (for in-person appointments)

Note: A refund of the processing fee is not possible in the event that the application is withdrawn if we have already begun to process the application (by examining the required residence time and/or the documents you sent or sending you an appointment for an in-person interview).

Legal basis

Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) § 18c Abs. 1 and Abs. 3

Average time to process request

You will receive an appointment for an interview if your application is reviewed positively. At the appointment, you will receive written confirmation of lawful residence until issue of the appointed residence title.

Following the appointment, it will take several weeks until the permanent settlement permit is issued as a electronic residence title and can be picked up.

More information

Notes on responsibility

This service can only be taken advantage of in the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung – LEA) at Friedrich-Krause-Ufer.

Your point of contact

Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA)
Berlin Immigration Office, Friedrich-Krause-Ufer
Berlin Immigration Office, Friedrich-Krause-Ufer
Contact
- Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA)
- Berlin Immigration Office, Friedrich-Krause-Ufer
- Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24 , 13353 Berlin
- Tel.: (030) 90269-4000
- Fax: -
- Contact form
- Home page
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