Foreigners' affairs

• Online appointment
• Applications for a residence permit
• Details for a declaration of commitment (invitation)

The electronic residence permit in credit card format was introduced on September 1, 2011. It replaces the previous adhesive label in the passport and contains a chip in which the personal and biometric data are stored.

Important: The eAT is not a substitute for a passport. It is only valid together with a valid, recognized passport or passport substitute.

Processing and issuing an eAT is much more time-consuming than before. As a rule, you will have to visit us twice. You can find a printable application form here.

1. As before, you can submit the application via your local mayor's office. Please make sure that you apply for an extension before your current residence permit expires. The residence permit will then remain valid until our decision, even if the eAT cannot yet be extended until the old residence permit expires. If your application is submitted late, your stay would be unauthorized. If you need a new residence permit because you have received a new passport, please send us the old and new passports via your local mayor's office. This will help you avoid waiting times and long journeys.
2. After your application has been checked, you will be notified by us and given an appointment to have your biometric data recorded (fingerprints taken). All applicants aged 6 and over must visit us for this purpose.
3. Once the biometric data has been recorded, we will commission the Federal Printing Office in Berlin to produce the eAT. It is not possible for the foreigners authority to issue the eAT. It usually takes a maximum of 4-6 weeks for us to receive the eAT from the Bundesdruckerei. It is not possible to speed up the process.

If you wish to collect the electronic residence permit for a family member aged 18 or over, we require a power of attorney from you. You can find a form in .pdf format here.

Security, design elements and the individual functions of the German electronic residence permit are explained here in this flyer in .pdf format.

In order to change employer, a new request from the Foreigners' Registration Office at the Employment Agency is necessary. Please have your new employer fill out the following form and send it to us. You can find the form here in .pdf format.

Important information for Ukrainian nationals:

With the Ukraine Residence Permit Continued Validity Ordinance (UkraineAufenthFGV) of the Federal Ministry of the Interior of 28.11.2023 (amended on 22.11.2024), the continued validity of the residence permits issued and still valid on February 01, 2025 was ordered in accordance with Section 24 (1) of the Residence Act. All residence permits that meet these criteria remain valid until 04.03.2026.

An application to extend the residence permit is not required in these cases. It is also not necessary to go to the Foreigners' Registration Office. Certificates confirming these facts cannot be issued due to the enormous workload at the Foreigners' Registration Office. You can find additional information here.

Before you move, you must submit an application to change or cancel your residence obligation. Please submit your application early enough and allow sufficient time for processing (e.g. until you start work). You may not move without the consent of the immigration authority at the place of relocation. Until a decision has been made on the application, your current immigration authority remains responsible for all questions and measures under immigration law, including the extension of your residence permit or tolerated stay permit. If you have already moved before the approval of the relocation, this is not legal. Any costs incurred must be borne by you.

The application for a change of residence must be submitted to your local foreigners authority. The form for this can be found here in .pdf format. Please note that further documents may be requested as part of the processing of your application.

The Skilled Immigration Act has created an opportunity for employers to enable skilled workers from outside the EU/EEA to enter Germany more quickly and with less bureaucracy. The aim is to facilitate entry into the German labor market. To apply for an accelerated skilled worker procedure, proof of an employment contract or a concrete job offer, a qualification recognized in Germany and, if applicable, German language skills in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages must be provided. The involvement of the Federal Employment Agency is also usually essential. The skilled worker can work in an occupation for which the acquired qualification qualifies them. This means that employment in related professions is also possible. However, unskilled and semi-skilled occupations are excluded. With vocational training recognized in Germany, the residence permit also allows skilled workers to pursue qualified employment in all occupations for which their qualification qualifies them. You can find more detailed information on the accelerated skilled worker procedure here.

The following documents are required to apply for the accelerated skilled worker procedure in accordance with Section 81a (2) of the Residence Act:

1. the authorization of the respective skilled worker for the employer in .pdf format

2. the sub-authorization of the management for an employee entrusted with the procedure, if applicable, in .pdf format

3. the declaration on the employment relationship (ECB) in .pdf format

4. the agreement itself in .pdf format.

Further evidence may be required. In this case, we will contact you.

Please note that companies that are members of the IHK can also submit the application to us via the IHK. Information on this can be found here.

Please also note that the State Agency for the Immigration of Skilled Workers (LZF) has been a point of contact for the accelerated skilled worker procedure alongside the immigration authorities since 01.04.2025. On the LZF homepage you will find extensive contact options as well as a convenient online application route.

You can reach the health and nursing professions team on 0711/904-39999

You can reach the team for all other professions on 0721/926-9555

At beratung[at]lzf.bwl.de you have the option of contacting the LZF by e-mail.

Further information:

Central Office for Foreign Education. Here you will find information on qualifications acquired abroad.