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IMPORTANT: Select a location.To obtain application forms, location-specific information and contacts, select a town or zip code.

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Your selected location: Emsland

Which place to enter?

The location is used to determine the responsible office for the selected administrative service. In most cases you can enter your place of residence to find the competent authority. However, there are also cases in which a different location must be specified. Here are some examples:

Birth certificateYou want to get married and need a birth certificate. You live in Hanover, but you were born in Celle. You must therefore state your place of birth, i.e. Celle.

Business registrationYou would like to register a business in Braunschweig. Your place of residence is Hanover. You must therefore state the location of your future business, i.e. Braunschweig.

Apply for a building permitYou would like to build a house in Wunstorf and therefore apply for a building permit. Her place of residence is currently Hanover. You must indicate the place where the house is to be built. In this case it is Wunstorf.

Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment

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To take up self-employment, you can apply for a temporary residence permit.

A residence permit is a residence permit. The residence permit can only be issued for a specific purpose, such as taking up self-employment.

Legal basis

Which documents are required?

  • Valid national passport
  • Proof of health insurance;
  • Rental contract
  • Curriculum vitae and proof of qualifications for previous activities and training (degree certificates, diplomas or certificates)
  • Financing plan / business plan
  • 1 current biometric photo
  • Please enquire at the immigration office responsible for you whether you need to submit further documents.

Requirements

You can only be granted a residence permit if

  • there is an economic interest or a regional need for the activity and
  • the activity is expected to have a positive impact on the economy in Germany and
  • the financing of the implementation is secured by equity capital or by a loan commitment.

If you have already reached the age of 45, appropriate old-age provision is also required.

Furthermore, the general granting requirements for a residence permit must be fulfilled.

These are in particular

  • a secure livelihood,
  • a clarified identity,
  • possession of a valid national passport.

Costs

Fee: 100,00 EUR
Payment in advance: no

Process flow

You can only apply for a residence permit in person at the aliens' registration office responsible for your place of residence.

  • You submit the required documents in the original and pay the application fee.
  • The Aliens' Registration Office will check whether the conditions for issuing the permit are met.
  • Other authorities may also be involved.
  • If all requirements are met, the Aliens' Registration Office will take your biometric data (photo, fingerprints) and order the electronic residence permit (eAT) from Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
  • As soon as the eAT is ready, it will be handed over to you by the Aliens' Registration Office.

Processing duration

The processing time depends on the workload at the locally responsible foreigners authority.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Application before the expiry of the current residence title. It is recommended to apply 4 to 6 weeks before the current residence title expires.

The residence permit is issued for a maximum of 3 years.

Appeal

  • Administrative court action

Detailed information on how to file a lawsuit can be found in the decision rejecting your application.

Applications / forms

  • Online procedure possible: no
  • Written form required: no
  • Personal appearance required: yes

Source: Serviceportal Niedersachsen (Portalverbund des Bundes und der Länder)

Further Links

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Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.
Access information on the single point of contact for the state of Lower Saxonyvisit Website Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEsVisit advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families