Residence & Visa

Questions on this topic

Can I apply for citizenship a few months before my 5 years are up?Yes, applying online a few weeks to two months before you reach 5 years is usually not a problem: processing takes long, and the time is completed in the meantime. Uploading all your documents at the start speeds things up.
Can I change the purpose of my residence permit, for example from student to worker? (Zweckwechsel)In most cases, yes; you can apply for the new type of permit without leaving Germany. You must meet the requirements of the new permit and apply before your current one expires.
Can I use the biometric photo from my residence permit application to renew my passport at the Turkish consulate?It can work, but check the consulate's photo rules first. If you need a new photo, dm takes biometric photos with a QR code in about 5 minutes for about 6 euros.
Can I work more than 20 hours a week on a student visa?Not during the semester: on a student permit you can only work part-time, and this limit cannot be extended. You can work full-time during the breaks, but there is a yearly quota for that too. To work more, you may need to change your permit type.
Do I need a blocked account for a job-seeker residence permit?Normally yes: you must show you can support yourself, and a blocked account (Sperrkonto) is usually required for this. If you have a part-time job, your employment contract and payslips may also be enough.
Does receiving Wohngeld, Kindergeld or Bürgergeld affect my residence permit or citizenship application?Kindergeld, Elterngeld, Kinderzuschlag and Unterhaltsvorschuss do not harm your residence status. Bürgergeld (now called Grundsicherung) can cause problems for extensions, settlement permits and citizenship; Wohngeld depends on your situation.
During my thesis, can I go back to Turkey without extending my permit and write it from there?If you do not need to come back to Germany for your defence or anything else, it may not be a problem. If you do need to come back, your permit will have expired, so you will have to apply for a new visa from Turkey, which can take months.
How and when do I extend my student residence permit in Berlin?If you are still studying, you apply to extend your student permit. If your studies are ending, you apply for a job-seeker permit. The application is online. Appointments can take weeks, so it is best to apply 2-4 months before your permit expires.
How do I apply for a US tourist visa from Berlin, and how long does it take?First you fill in the online form and pay the fee, then you book an interview at the US consulate in Berlin. Appointments are usually available 1-2 weeks out, and your passport can come back a few days after the interview.
How do I get a Verpflichtungserklärung (formal invitation) to invite my family to visit?In Berlin the LEA issues it: you fill in an online form and pay the fee, then collect the document at an appointment. It costs 29 euros (for one adult or a married couple). For the visa application it must not be older than 6 months.
How do I get a visa/residence permit for an Ausbildung (vocational training)?If you have an Ausbildung contract with a company, usually B1 German and enough income to support yourself, you can get an Ausbildung visa. Without a contract, you can also get a visa to look for an Ausbildung place under certain conditions.
How long does it take to apply for a UK visa from Berlin?First you fill in the online form, then you choose an appointment for fingerprints and a photo. The result can come 7-10 working days after your fingerprints are taken.
How long does it take to get a German visa appointment (iData) in Turkey?For a visit visa, the wait for an appointment can be anything from a few months up to 10 months. After the appointment, the decision usually takes 10-20 days. When the appointment email comes, reply within 48 hours or you can lose your place.
How long will I wait after applying for a Blue Card or for my spouse's extension?Waiting times vary a lot: it can be 1 month or 5 months. Your spouse's extension can also take months. Keep the confirmation of your application, and send the LEA a written reminder if it takes a long time.
I applied to extend my residence permit but have not heard from the LEA for months. What can I do?Waiting times range from a few weeks to 5-6 months. If you applied online before your permit expired, you can stay here while you wait. If you need to travel, you can ask for a Fiktionsbescheinigung through the emergency contact form on the LEA website.
I came through family reunification. Can I work, and do I need a separate permit?Yes. A family reunification permit allows you to work; you don't need a separate work permit. You can work in any job, in a Minijob or as a self-employed person.
I got a new passport (or my surname changed). How do I transfer my residence permit to the new passport?You need to have your residence permit transferred to the new passport. If you meet the conditions, any Bürgeramt in Berlin does this by appointment; otherwise the LEA does. You do not have to change your surname when you marry.
I have my own work permit. Can I switch to a family permit through my spouse (or the other way round)?In most cases you can change your type of residence permit without leaving Germany, as long as you meet the requirements of the new one. But calculate beforehand how the change affects your timeline for a settlement permit and citizenship.
I uploaded the wrong document with my extension application. Will it be rejected?Usually not: an application is not rejected outright because of a wrong or missing document. The immigration office usually asks for missing documents in the appointment email or at the appointment.
I want to invite my unemployed sibling from Turkey to Germany. Can they get a visa?They can, but a Schengen visa may be harder to get for a relative who is not working. A Verpflichtungserklärung (commitment to cover costs) from the Ausländerbehörde improves the chances.
I want to join my spouse in Germany. Do I need an A1 German certificate?Usually yes: for a family reunification visa you must show A1 German before coming (e.g. Start Deutsch 1). There are exceptions, e.g. if your spouse is an EU citizen, has a Blue Card, or in case of illness or disability. The visa section decides.
I work on a Blue Card and my contract is ending. Do I need to tell the immigration office?Yes. If your job ends early, you must tell the immigration office within 2 weeks. If you change jobs in the first 12 months, report that too. You may get a few months to look for a new job.
If I get married while my visa application is in progress, will it affect my application?Getting married usually does not block your visa application, but details such as marital status and surname change. Inform the consulate and your employer immediately; if you change your surname and get a new passport, ask in advance which passport the visa will be valid in.
Is it a problem if I move after applying for family reunification?Usually not. Do your Anmeldung (address registration) once you move in, and the new address then shows up in the system.
Is my residence permit issued as a sticker in my passport instead of a card?Lately, residence permits are usually issued as cards again. If you are offered a sticker in your passport and want a card, say so clearly. The card can take 6-7 weeks.
My employment contract is shorter than 1 year. Can I apply for a Blue Card?Yes, if you meet the other conditions too. For a Blue Card, a contract of at least 6 months is enough. Check conditions such as the salary threshold with the LEA before you apply.
My family is applying for a Schengen visa. Is it a problem if their passports expire soon after the return date?The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the return date. If it runs out soon after that, the visa may still be granted, but for a shorter period.
My family is visiting Germany. What documents should they have at passport control?They should definitely carry a printout of the return ticket. Add a short letter saying where they are staying and which phone number reaches you. If they come on a visa, add the travel health insurance. With a green passport they do not need a visa.
My residence permit depends on my marriage. What happens to it if we separate or divorce?If your marriage lasted lawfully in Germany for at least 3 years, your permit is extended for 1 year as your own independent right after separation (§ 31 AufenthG). In cases of particular hardship, e.g. domestic violence, the 3 years don't apply. Get advice first.
My residence permit is about to expire or I have a Fiktionsbescheinigung. Can I travel abroad and come back?If your residence permit is still valid, you can come back even if it expires soon. If you will return after it expires, get a Fiktionsbescheinigung before you go. Not every one allows re-entry, so check before you travel.
My residence permit is expiring. How do I apply to the LEA for an extension, and what can I do if I cannot get an appointment?In Berlin you apply for an extension online on the website of the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). Apply before your permit expires and keep the confirmation. If you have to travel urgently, write through the LEA's emergency contact form and attach your tickets.
My residence permit is expiring. What should I do?Apply to the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) for an extension before it expires. If you apply in time, your permit counts as valid until a decision is made.
My studies are ending. When and with which documents should I apply for a job-seeker residence permit?Apply before or right after you graduate, because a student permit loses its purpose when your studies end. If your degree certificate is not out yet, a transcript or a provisional graduation certificate is often enough.
Visitor visa appointments from Turkey take very long. What should I do if my invitation expires?You do not need the invitation (Verpflichtungserklärung) to join the waiting list. The original is only asked for at the visa appointment, and on that day it must not be older than 6 months. So get a new one once the date is set.
What are the requirements for citizenship, and is dual citizenship now possible?You generally need 5 years of legal residence, B1 German, the citizenship test and the ability to support yourself without state benefits. Since June 2024 you can become German while keeping your previous citizenship; the 3-year fast track was abolished in 2025.
When and under what conditions can I apply for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)?The general rule is 5 years of residence, 60 months of pension contributions and B1 German. Skilled workers can apply after 3 years, and EU Blue Card holders after 21 or 27 months.
Where can I consult a lawyer about visa or tax issues?For initial advice, you can contact the lawyers' helpline of the Türkischer Bund (TBB). For visa and tax matters you may also need a specialist lawyer or a tax adviser (Steuerberater).
Where can I find a Turkish-speaking lawyer or free legal advice in Berlin?At the Turkish Consulate General, the lawyer Cem Alışık gave free advice one day a week. For visa or work problems, try the TBB's lawyer helpline, and for tenancy matters the Berliner Mieterverein.
Which apps can I use to prepare for the Leben in Deutschland test?There are free websites and apps. You can study with a website that has Turkish explanations, with apps from the App Store and with the official BAMF practice test.