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Find out in 7 steps how to improve your chances of obtaining long-term residence in Germany (during the asylum process, with a Duldung (tolerated stay permit), or with a temporary residence permit). A quick overview:
- Start learning German as soon as possible. Take an integration course.
- Your chances increase with vocational training (Ausbildung) or employment.
- Check your options for getting a residence permit for refugees during the asylum process.
Click on headlines to open steps
- For more information, click on the small numbers.1Example
1. How can I improve my chances?
- There are different types of residence permits with similar requirements. To get a residence permit, the following can help you:
- German language skills
- Vocational training (Ausbildung), school, university
- Income (employment)
- Residence permit for refugees (asylum process)
- Start as soon as you arrive in Germany. Many steps take time. The earlier you begin, the better.
- If your chances in the asylum process are low2You can find the percentage of protection granted by country in 2022 here (pages 3 and 4)., your asylum application was rejected, or you have a Duldung (tolerated stay permit), these steps are especially important. These steps are also helpful for obtaining a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit).
2. Learn German in integration or language courses
- Learn German to improve your chances. Look for an integration course as early as possible. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate (A1, A2, B1, or B2).3A1 and A2: Beginner; B1 and B2: Intermediate. Otherwise, learn German online or look for free language courses in your area.4For help finding a course, ask a counseling center.
- Try to get the A2 German certificate (oral)5It is required for a residence permit under §25b.. You’ll have even better chances with B1.6B1 is required for many residence permits, the Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit), and naturalization. B2 is needed for many vocational training programs. C1 is needed for university studies.
3. Get a school diploma or vocational training (Ausbildung)
- A school diploma, vocational training (Ausbildung), or a university degree greatly improve your chances.7While you are in vocational training, you can get a Duldung (tolerated stay permit) or a residence permit. With a diploma, you can get the §19d residence permit. Only state-recognized diplomas improve your chances. Vocational training is possible in school and in a company.
- Ask for help in finding vocational training. If you are looking for a shorter training with slightly lower requirements, consider options like nursing assistant (link in German).
4. Help your children with school
- There is a chance for the entire family to get a residence permit if you or one of your children successfully attends school for three years.8For the §25a residence permit for children aged 14 and older, three school years are required. The years only count if the child progresses to the next grade level (does not repeat a grade). The grades do not matter. If a child under 18 in the family gets the §25a residence permit, the parents and siblings may also be eligible for a residence permit.
- Make sure your child always attends school. Ask teachers how you can help your child pass their classes.
5. Look for a job
- Look for a job9Information on job search support programs. to improve your chances. You might need a work permit.
- Look for a part-time job or a Minijob10A Minijob is a job with an income of around €500 a month. (for example, 10 hours per week in a café).
- Start working part-time early on. Maybe start a Minijob during your integration course.11It might be better to focus on learning German first. Working full-time too early, without good German skills, could negatively impact your long-term chances.
- Look for a full-time job. You need sufficient income for yourself and your family for many residence permits.12For a Beschäftigungsduldung (tolerated stay permit for work), you need a job of at least 20 hours per week for the past 12 months. Without a family, for many residence permits a net income of about €1,500 is required. In some cases (for example, §25b), a lower income may be sufficient.
- Contributions to the pension insurance improve your chances for a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit). Always pay contributions to the pension insurance even with a Minijob.13With a Minijob, you can apply for an exemption from pension insurance contributions using a form. Do not sign this form. Tell your employer that you want to pay the contributions.
6. Check your options in the asylum process
- Find out about your chances in the asylum process. Prepare well for your asylum interview.
- Consider whether to take legal action against the asylum decision. If successful, a better status improves your chances. Additionally, because of a timely lawsuit your asylum process usually takes much longer. This gives you more time to meet the requirements for a residence permit. Find a lawyer for this.
7. Apply for your residence permit
- If you meet the requirements, apply for a Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit), for example, to get out of a Duldung (tolerated stay permit).14For more information, see Handbook Germany.
- If you have questions about how and when to apply, ask a counseling center. Sometimes, help from a lawyer is important.
This page was realized with the support of the Postcode Lottery and lawyer Nora Ebeling (Last updated October 2024).
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Fußnoten
- 1Example
- 2You can find the percentage of protection granted by country in 2022 here (pages 3 and 4).
- 3A1 and A2: Beginner; B1 and B2: Intermediate.
- 4For help finding a course, ask a counseling center.
- 5It is required for a residence permit under §25b.
- 6B1 is required for many residence permits, the Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit), and naturalization. B2 is needed for many vocational training programs. C1 is needed for university studies.
- 7While you are in vocational training, you can get a Duldung (tolerated stay permit) or a residence permit. With a diploma, you can get the §19d residence permit. Only state-recognized diplomas improve your chances. Vocational training is possible in school and in a company.
- 8For the §25a residence permit for children aged 14 and older, three school years are required. The years only count if the child progresses to the next grade level (does not repeat a grade). The grades do not matter. If a child under 18 in the family gets the §25a residence permit, the parents and siblings may also be eligible for a residence permit.
- 9Information on job search support programs.
- 10A Minijob is a job with an income of around €500 a month.
- 11It might be better to focus on learning German first. Working full-time too early, without good German skills, could negatively impact your long-term chances.
- 12For a Beschäftigungsduldung (tolerated stay permit for work), you need a job of at least 20 hours per week for the past 12 months. Without a family, for many residence permits a net income of about €1,500 is required. In some cases (for example, §25b), a lower income may be sufficient.
- 13With a Minijob, you can apply for an exemption from pension insurance contributions using a form. Do not sign this form. Tell your employer that you want to pay the contributions.
- 14For more information, see Handbook Germany.