Residence Permits

Extensions, changes &
permanent residence.

The visa gets your hire into Germany. The residence permit keeps them here. relokate manages the full Ausländerbehörde process — initial applications after arrival, extensions before expiry, employer changes, purpose changes, and the path to permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis).

Get residence permit support Free visa pre-check

What we handle

Initial residence permit application

After entering Germany on a visa, employees must apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde within 90 days. relokate submits all application documents upfront digitally — the appointment is only issued once everything has been reviewed and accepted, so there are no surprises. In cities like Berlin, we use the Business Immigration Service (BIS) for faster, English-language processing.

Residence permit extension

Permits expire — typically after 1-4 years. We track expiry dates, prepare renewal applications, and submit them before the deadline. If the Ausländerbehörde is slow, we secure a Fiktionsbescheinigung to bridge the gap.

Employer change notification

When an employee changes employers, the Ausländerbehörde must be notified and — depending on the permit type — a new work authorisation may be required. We manage the notification and any required amendments.

Purpose change (e.g., student to worker)

Changing the purpose of a residence permit — from student to employee, from job seeker to worker, from Chancenkarte to work permit — requires a new application. We assess eligibility and manage the conversion.

Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis)

After 21 months (Blue Card + B1 German) to 5 years, employees can apply for permanent residence. We assess eligibility, prepare the application, and ensure all requirements are met: pension contributions, German skills, housing, and financial stability.

Fiktionsbescheinigung handling

When a permit extension is pending and the current permit expires, the Ausländerbehörde issues a Fiktionsbescheinigung — a bridging document that maintains legal status. We ensure this is secured before the expiry date.

Residence permit vs. visa service — when to use which

The visa gets your hire to Germany. The residence permit is everything that happens after arrival.

Use our visa service when:

Your hire is outside Germany and needs a work visa
You need embassy coordination
You want to use the fast-track procedure (§81a)
The employee has never had a German residence permit

Use this residence permit service when:

Your employee is already in Germany and needs a permit
A permit is expiring and needs to be renewed
Your employee is changing employers
You want to convert a permit type (e.g., student to worker)
Your employee qualifies for permanent residence

Processing times by type

Actual times vary by city and Ausländerbehörde workload. These are typical ranges based on our case data.

Initial residence permit (after visa entry)

2-8 weeks

Depends on Ausländerbehörde appointment availability. In Berlin, waits can be 4-8 weeks; in smaller cities, 1-2 weeks.

Permit extension / renewal

4-12 weeks

Apply 8-12 weeks before expiry. A Fiktionsbescheinigung bridges the gap if the authority is slow.

Employer change

2-6 weeks

EU Blue Card holders can change employers freely after 12 months. Before that, Ausländerbehörde approval is required.

Purpose change (e.g., student → worker)

4-12 weeks

Treated as a new application. Processing time depends on the target permit type.

Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis)

4-16 weeks

Requires proof of pension contributions, German skills, housing, and financial stability. EU Blue Card holders eligible after 21-27 months.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if the residence permit expires before the renewal is processed?

If you apply for renewal before your current permit expires, the Ausländerbehörde issues a Fiktionsbescheinigung — a bridging document that maintains your legal status and work authorisation until the new permit is issued. relokate ensures you apply early enough and secures this document if needed.

Can my employee change employers on an EU Blue Card?

After the first 12 months, EU Blue Card holders can change employers freely — they just need to notify the Ausländerbehörde. During the first 12 months, a change requires prior approval from the authority. relokate handles the notification or approval process.

How soon can my employee get permanent residence?

EU Blue Card holders can apply after 21 months (with B1 German) or 27 months (with A1 German). Holders of other residence permits typically need to wait 4-5 years. Requirements include pension contributions, adequate housing, and language skills.

Does relokate accompany employees to the Ausländerbehörde?

relokate works exclusively online. We submit all application documents upfront digitally — whether to the embassy, the Federal Employment Agency, or the Immigration Office. The appointment at the Ausländerbehörde is only issued once all documents have been reviewed and accepted, so there are no surprises for the talent. In cities like Berlin, relokate uses the Business Immigration Service (BIS) — a dedicated channel for companies with English-speaking staff and faster processing that individual applicants cannot access directly.

What if the Ausländerbehörde delays the processing?

Processing delays are common, especially in large cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. relokate follows up actively with the authority. If processing exceeds the legal timeframe, we escalate with a formal inaction letter (Untätigkeitsschreiben) and, if needed, involve our independent partner attorneys.

Trusted by startups and corporates alike