Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde): Important information for international staff and doctoral students

Do you have urgent matters to clarify with the Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office) or are you waiting for an answer to your enquiries? Let the Welcome Centre help.

The Welcome Centre is currently offering a preliminary checking service for documents to speed up the application process for your residence permit, extension of your residence permit or registration of your current living address. If you need assistance, please contact the Welcome Centre by e-mail. For easier processing, please attach the completed application form and accompanying documents in PDF format.

Please ask for an appointment as early as possible to ensure timely processing.

Germany has a system of compulsory res­ident registration. As soon as you have moved into your new accommodation, you have to register within two weeks. The same applies for change of address.

At the day of registration, you will be issued a registration certificate ('Anmeldebescheinigung'). The confirmation of registration is necessary to open a bank account, to apply for a residence permit and for many other bureaucratic steps. Late registration can have negative reper­cussions for you and you may have to pay an administrative fine ('Bußgeld').

Please provide copies of the following documents for all persons to be registered:

• Copy of passport (and visa if you have one) or your personal identification card
• Copy of entry passport stamp (if applicable)
• Copy of civil status certificates (birth or marriage certificate, if applicable)
• Copy of Tenancy agreement
• Confirmation of residence from your landlord ('Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung')
• Registration form ('Anmeldung Wohnsitz')

Please be aware that the last two documents are only available in German.

For EU citizens, as well as third country nationals with visa or residence permit:
Please bring along printed copies of the above listed documents for all persons to be registered to your scheduled appointment at the “Bürgerbüro” (Citizens’ Office). You can book the appointment online.

For third country nationals without visa or residence permit:
Please bring along printed copies of the above listed documents for all persons to be registered to your scheduled appointment at the Welcome Centre (VW 105).

You can also find information in German on this topic on the homepage of the City of Passau.

To apply for a residence permit or extension of your residence permit, please bring along printed copies of the below listed documents to your scheduled appointment at the Welcome Centre (VW 105).

Rights of residence for researchers from non-EU countries in Germany

Checklist: § 16b Studies

• copy of a valid passport (which should include your entry visa and/or entry stamp if applicable)
• confirmation of registration of accommodation (when applying for the first time)
• The completed application form.
  (Please make sure that you use the correct application form when applying for the first time or renewing your residence permit)
• a biometric passport photograph not older than three months
• proof of financial means of at least 992 euros per month (e.g. confirmation of scholarship, blocked bank account or employment contract)
• Up-to-date proof of German health insurance
• proof of enrolment as a doctoral researcher

Checklist: § 18b Qualified professionals

• Copy of passport (issued within the last 10 years and with at least 3 months validity left after the planned date of departure from Passau)
• The completed application form.
  (Please make sure that you use the correct application form when applying for the first time or renewing your residence permit)
• a biometric passport photograph
• employment contract
• Last 3 payslips (if applicable)
• copy and translation of degree certificates Bachelor, Master (German degree or foreign degree with recognition; how to)
• Copy of Tenancy agreement
• "Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis"

Checklist: § 18d Research

• Copy of passport (issued within the last 10 years and with at least 3 months validity left after the planned date of departure from Passau)
• The completed application form.
  (Please make sure that you use the correct application form when applying for the first time or renewing your residence permit)
• a biometric passport photograph
• Hosting agreement
• Last 3 payslips (if applicable)
• copy of Degree certificates Bachelor, Master (German degree or foreign degree with recognition)
• Copy of Tenancy agreement

Checklist: § 18g EU Blue Card

• Copy of passport (issued within the last 10 years and with at least 3 months validity left after the planned date of departure from Passau)
• The completed application form.
  (Please make sure that you use the correct application form when applying for the first time or renewing your residence permit)
• a biometric passport photograph
• employment contract
• last 3 payslips (if applicable, e.g. for extensions)
• copy and translation of degree certificates Bachelor, Master (German degree or foreign degree with recognition; how to)
• copy of tenancy agreement
• "Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis" filled and signed by your employer

Checklist: § 20 Job-seeker

• copy of a valid passport (which should include your entry visa and/or entry stamp if applicable)
• The completed application form.
  (Please make sure that you use the correct application form when applying for the first time or renewing your residence permit)
• a biometric passport photograph not older than three months
• proof of financial means of at least 992 euros per month (e.g. confirmation of scholarship, blocked bank account or employment contract)
• Up-to-date proof of German health insurance
• For job-seeker according to §20 (3) 1. - following  graduating from a German University: graduation certificate and if applicable proof of date the certificate was provided, e.g. letter from the examination office