Applying for a residence permit on the grounds of displacement

The entire procedure is structured as follows:

• Registration: Before you receive your residence permit, you must complete the formal registration process for refugees. Registration currently takes place, for example, at reception centres or immigration offices, and usually involves providing your name, date of birth, nationality, current address and a copy of your identity document. You will also have your photograph taken and your fingerprints recorded.
• Once registration has been completed, a certificate (proof of arrival, registration certificate, provisional residence permit or other form of confirmation) will be issued, which can be presented to the relevant social security office in order to apply for social security benefits.
• Allocation to a place of residence whilst receiving social security benefits (allocation): A decision on allocation is then generally issued, requiring you to take up residence and make a particular place or region your habitual residence.
• Registration: Register your home address with the relevant residents’ registration office at your destination.
• Applying for a residence permit: To obtain a residence permit for temporary protection, you must submit an application to the Foreigners’ Registration Office responsible for your place of residence. If you have already been issued with a placement decision, this is the location to which you have been assigned.
• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably in the original).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card). The Foreigners’ Registration Office commissions the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can collect your residence permit from the relevant office. As a general rule, you must collect the eAT card in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.
• Initial registration, allocation, registration with the registration office and applying for a residence permit are separate procedures – sometimes they are dealt with together, but this ultimately depends on the local organisation. If in doubt, please ask.

The immigration authority responsible for the applicant’s place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• You must declare your willingness to be admitted to Germany (in other words, you must express a wish to be granted protection, for example by applying for a residence permit for temporary protection)
• You are eligible for support if you were habitually resident in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and belong to one of the following groups:
  • Ukrainian nationals and their family members,
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless persons with international or national protection status in Ukraine, together with their family members.
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless persons with the right of indefinite residence in Ukraine (permanent residence) who are unable to return to their country of origin with their family members.
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals with temporary residence permits in Ukraine who are unable to return to their home country.
• In addition, Ukrainian nationals who have been residing lawfully in Germany for a considerable period of time and who, following the expiry of their current residence permit, are unable to return to Ukraine due to the war may apply for a residence permit

• A recognised and valid identity document (for example, a passport with or without biometric features, a passport substitute, identity documents issued by the country of origin, or a driving licence)
• Proof of the date of entry into the Schengen Area and into Germany
• Certificate of call or proof of arrival (if available)
• Evidence of family relationships (marriage, birth or adoption certificates, if available)
• Allocation decision (if applicable)
• Proof of current place of residence or stay in Germany
• Displaced persons who do not hold Ukrainian nationality: proof of a valid right of residence in Ukraine
• Proof of authorisation (if you are acting as a representative)
• In individual cases, the Immigration Authority may require less or more supporting documentation.

• Section 45(2) of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• Section 53 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)
• Section 52(3)(1) of the Residence Regulation

• Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimumstandards for granting temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof
• Implementing Decision Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022 determining the existence of a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine within the meaning of Article 5 of Directive 2001/55/EC and introducing temporary protection
• Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) – Granting of residence for temporary protection
• Regulation on the temporary exemption from the requirement for a residence permit for persons who have entered the country as a result of the war in Ukraine (Ukraine Residence Exemption Regulation)

• Appeal against the decision of the Immigration Authority
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

Online service available: Yes

• As soon as an application is submitted, the immigration authorities will issue what are known as provisional residence certificates. These serve as a temporary measure to cover the right of residence until the actual residence permit can be issued and granted. The immigration authorities will also enter ‘employment permitted’ on the provisional residence certificate.
• Provided that there is a need, all persons falling within the scope of Section 24 of the Residence Act currently receive benefits to cover their living expenses and medical care.
• No appeal may be lodged against the referral decision; any legal action taken will not have suspensive effect.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be to your disadvantage. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the cancellation of residence rights that have already been granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.
• If you meet the relevant criteria, you can, in principle, also obtain a residence permit for the purpose of employment or training from the local immigration office.
• As an alternative to applying for a residence permit for temporary protection, every refugee has the option of applying for asylum. It should be noted, however, that applying for a residence permit for temporary protection provides protection more quickly and comes with certain advantages (for example, no restrictions on taking up employment and no obligation to live in initial reception centres).

• Residence permit on grounds of international law, humanitarian or political reasons; granting of temporary protection in Saxony-Anhalt

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