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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.

Applying for a residence permit for exceptional hardship cases

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You are in possession of a residence permit. An extension of your residence permit cannot be extended according to the general regulations. A residence permit according to other regulations is also out of the question. Then this residence permit can be extended for you if, due to special circumstances of the individual case, leaving the Federal territory would mean exceptional hardship for you.

The general conditions for granting a residence permit must also be met (in particular, you must be able to secure your livelihood, your identity must have been clarified, and you must not be interested in being deported).

The residence permit does not entitle you to gainful employment. It can be granted on application by the foreigners authority.

A residence requirement can be imposed on you.

You are entitled to social benefits (basic benefits for job-seekers according to the Social Security Code II or basic benefits in old age or in case of reduced earning capacity according to the Social Security Code XII) and child benefit.

Family reunification is excluded.

They are not entitled to participate in an integration course. They can only be admitted to participate within the scope of available course places.

Who should I contact?

Locally responsible foreigners authority of your independent town or district

Requirements

  • Possession of a residence permit
  • No possibility of extension or issuance of another residence permit
  • Special circumstances of the individual case justify exceptional hardship
  • Threat of enforceable obligation to leave the country
  • Presentation of the general conditions for granting a residence permit (e.g. securing livelihood, sufficient living space, passport obligation)
  • No interest in deportation
  • No entry and residence ban

Applications / forms

You will receive the following from your local immigration office

Online procedure possible: no

Personal appearance required: yes

Which documents are required?

  • Presentation of the currently valid residence permit
  • Current biometric photo
  • Proof of identity, e.g. passport, ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate; citizenship certificate
  • employment contract or binding job offer
  • for regulated professions: Your professional licence (for example, licence to practise or licence to practise).
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Tenancy agreement

What are the fees?

When the residence permit is issued, a fee of 100 euros is due (50 euros for minors).

Exemption from fees when receiving social benefits

Fee: 100,00 EUR
Payment in advance: no

Fee: 50,00 EUR
Payment in advance: no

Process flow

As a rule, you must apply for the extension of your residence permit due to exceptional hardship in person.

Make an appointment with the local Foreigners' Registration Office. You can also find out about the application process and which documents you need to submit and in what form on the respective website of the Foreigners' Association.

Your fingerprints will be taken during your appointment.

If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will instruct the Federal Printing Office to issue the electronic residence permit. The residence permit takes the form of a credit card with additional electronic functions.

For information on the duration of the procedure until the residence permit is issued, please contact the responsible Foreigners' Registration Office.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Validity of the residence permit:

  • In principle, only for the period of time necessary to achieve the purpose of the stay

A maximum of three years

Processing duration

You will usually be informed of the duration of the procedure (about 6 to 8 weeks) when you apply for a residence permit by the competent Aliens' Registration Office.

Note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title.

What else should I know?

Exceptional hardship can only be assumed if you are in an emergency situation that is clearly different from the situation of other foreigners.

Legal basis

§ 5 Residence Act

§ 12 Residence Act

Section 25 subsection 4 sentence 2 AufenthG

Section 29 subsection 3 AufenthG

Section 44 Residence Act

§ 44a Residence Act

§ 78 Residence Act

§ 78a Residence Act

Section 45 AufenthV

Section 50 AufenthV

Section 53 AufenthV

Appeal

An appeal against a negative decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office can be brought before the competent administrative court.

A preliminary procedure (opposition) does not take place in Lower Saxony.

Detailed information can be found in the rejection notice.

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