What is Fiktionsbescheinigung?
Quick definition
A provisional document issued by the Ausländerbehörde that proves your stay in Germany is lawful while your residence permit application is being processed.
How it works
The Fiktionsbescheinigung (fiction certificate) is issued when you have applied for a residence permit — or an extension or change of an existing one — and the Ausländerbehörde has not yet reached a decision. It bridges the gap between your current status and the new permit, ensuring your stay remains legal during processing. The specific rights it grants depend on your situation: if you already held a permit that allowed work, the Fiktionsbescheinigung typically preserves that right. If you are applying for a first-time permit, it may or may not allow employment — this depends on the type of permit requested and must be checked case by case.
Why it matters
For employers, this is critical: a Fiktionsbescheinigung does not always permit employment. Your new hire may be legally in Germany but unable to start working until the actual residence title is issued. relokate reviews every Fiktionsbescheinigung individually to confirm what it allows — so you never put a hire to work without proper authorization.
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