Sustainable integration of young people

If you are a young person or adolescent (a young person or adolescent is defined as anyone between 14 and 21 years of age), live in Münster, are currently in possession of an Exceptional Leave to Remain (“Duldung”) and have integrated into German life and culture well in the last four years, you may be able to obtain a residence permit. Among other things, it is necessary that you regularly attend school or (if you have already completed your school education) are pursuing vocational training, studying for a degree or engaged in paid employment.

The requirements for issuing a residence permit to well-integrated young people and adolescents are regulated in Section 25a AufenthG (German Residence Act).

Requirements

In order to obtain a residence permit as a well-integrated young person, the following requirements must be met:

• Good level of integration
• Granted Exceptional Leave to Remain (“Duldung”)
• Application for a residence permit is made when the applicant is between 14 and a maximum of 20 years old
• Four years of uninterrupted residence in Germany with a residence permit, a temporary residence permit or an Exceptional Leave to Remain
• Successful and continuous attendance of a school in Germany for four years or a recognised school-leaving or vocational qualification has been acquired in Germany
• Favourable integration prognosis
• Possession of a valid passport

Successful school attendance means, among other things, that school is actually attended regularly and that there are at most only minor absences.

All requirements must be met before the applicant’s 21st birthday. No exceptions to the fulfilment of these requirements may be made.

Good integration also means that you do not have any criminal convictions.

Grounds for exclusion

A residence permit may not be issued by the foreign nationals office if one of the following applies:

• Deportation is suspended due to your own false statements
• Deportation is suspended due to deception about identity or nationality

If you are not sure whether you meet the requirements, please contact us at your next appointment regarding your Exceptional Leave to Remain.

Please bring the following with you…

If you would like to apply for or extend a residence permit as a well-integrated young person, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):

• Valid passport
• A current passport photo
• A completed application form
• All school reports from the last four years incl. current certificate of school attendance
• Degree certificate, as applicable
• Vocational training contract, as applicable
• Study matriculation certificate, as applicable
• Proof that you are able to cover your living expenses (e.g. certificate of social benefits or employment contract and last three salary statements)
• Tenancy agreement
• Proof of health insurance
• Fee: up to € 100.00

Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.

Please note: An appointment is required for the granting and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.

Period of validity

If you fulfil the requirements for a residence permit as a well-integrated young person, you will be granted a residence permit. If you continue to fulfil the above-mentioned requirements after the period of validity has expired, the residence permit will be extended. The residence permit will be issued and extended for a maximum of two years.

If you were granted a residence permit while you were still attending school, you must have obtained a school-leaving qualification or still be attending school if you wish to apply for an extension.

Paid employment

Pursuing paid employment is permitted if you hold a residence permit according to Section 25a AufenthG (German Residence Act). This means that you can have a part-time job in addition to your attending school. After you have successfully completed school, you can choose whether you want to pursue employment or become self-employed.

Settling down

Once you have established yourself in Germany and have held a residence permit for five years, you can apply for a settlement permit (permanent residence permit). You can find further information on the page about the settlement permit.

If you received your residence permit when you were still a minor (first-time issue), you can find further information about applying for a settlement permit on the page about the settlement permit for minors.

Residence permit for family members

If you have been granted a residence permit as a well-integrated young person or adolescent, your family members may also apply for a residence permit. This concerns the following family members:

• Your parents (if you are still a minor)
• Your minor siblings (if you are still a minor)
• Your spouse
• Your children

One of the preconditions for the granting of a residence permit is that your family’s living expenses are covered without social welfare benefits. If you and your family are not sure whether this applies to you, you are welcome to ask us about this at your next appointment regarding your Exceptional Leave to Remain.

In addition, your family members must all have valid passports and must not have any criminal records.