Apply for a residence permit to participate in the Federal Volunteer Service

The authority responsible for processing the application is the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

You can find out which one this is online here:

https://bamf-navi.bamf.de/de/Themen/Behoerden/

• § 45 Nummer 1 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)
• § 50 Absatz 1 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)

• Before entering Germany, you must usually apply for a national visa for Germany in your home country. In addition to EU and EEA citizens, nationals of Australia, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the United States of America do not require a visa.
• After entering the country, you must then apply for a residence permit. The residence permit must be applied for before your visa or visa-free stay or your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence. If you apply online, the foreigners authority will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your original documents with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints and signature will also be taken for the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• You will receive notification by post that your application has been approved and that Bundesdruckerei has been commissioned to produce the eaT card, or that your application has been rejected.
• You will receive information by post that you can collect the eAT card from the Foreigners' Registration Office. As the eAT card is linked to an online ID function, you must collect it in person.

Application deadline: The residence permit should be applied for at least 6 to 8 weeks before the expiry of your visa, your visa-free stay or your valid residence permit - but in any case in good time before the start of your voluntary service.

Period of validity: The residence permit is issued for the duration of the Federal Volunteer Service, which can last between six and 18 months.

• § Section 19c (1) Residence Act (AufenthG)

• An appeal against a negative decision by the immigration authority can be lodged with the competent administrative court.
• There is no preliminary procedure (objection) in Lower Saxony.
• Detailed information can be found in the negative decision.

• Website of the Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (BAFzA)