Permanent settlement permit for qualified skilled workers - application at the location Berlin Immigration Office, Friedrich-Krause-Ufer

Additional information

• Payments are also possible by credit card (VISA, Mastercard) and contactless via smartwatch or smartphone.
• Photo booth and copier (fees apply) are available in the cash desk area (Building A, 1st floor).

Payment options

• Cash payment
• girocard (with PIN)

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-Check 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 "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 50 MB. A single file must not exceed 5 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.
  • 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).
• 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.
  • You pose no threat to the free democratic basic order or the security of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • You are not involved in acts of violence in pursuit of political or religious goals, do not publicly call for the use of violence and do not threaten to do so.
• 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.

  If no corresponding proof can be presented, the basic knowledge will be checked at the interview.
• Sufficient living space
  
  You have sufficient living space for yourself and the family members living with you at home.
• Main residence in Berlin
  
  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
  • Pension insurance history
• Proof of health insurance in Germany
  
  • for statutory health insurance: electronic health card with photo or an up-to-date confirmation of health insurance
  • for private health insurance: certificate from the insurance company that states the type, scope and duration 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
• If you have NOT completed vocational training or a course of study in Germany: Proof of German language skills at level B1 of the CEFR
  
  In particular, the following proof is possible:
  

  • German test for immigrants
  • German certificate or another language diploma
  • Final test of an integration course

  If no written proof is available, language skills will be checked at the interview.
• If available: Evidence of knowledge of the German legal and social order
  
  If you have not completed any school or vocational training in Germany, the following proof in particular is possible:
  

  • Final test of an integration course
  • Final test of the "Living in Germany" orientation course
  • Successfully completed naturalisation test

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 para, 1 and para. 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

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Health insurance leaflet (Berlin Immigration Office)
• Permanent settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders (service)

Notes on responsibility

The service can only be used at the Berlin Immigration Office (LEA) at the Friedrich-Krause-Ufer premises.

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