# Immigration

Foreigners who want to stay in Germany need a residence permit.

Since September 1st, 2011, the electronic residence permit (eAT) has replaced the residence permit issued as adhesive labels:

• the residence permit, settlement permit and long-term residence permit issued so far as an adhesive label,
• the residence card and the permanent residence card.

The previous residence permits in the passports and passport substitute papers remain valid. An exchange / transfer does not take place and is also not required as long as the title and passport are valid.

The electronic residence permit (eAT) will be reissued

All third-country nationals (including infants and small children) receive their own electronic residence permit.

Without exception, the foreigners department responsible for the place of residence is responsible.

The electronic residence permit is issued in credit card format. It contains a contactless chip. The following biometric data of the cardholder is stored on the chip:

• 1. Photo,
• 2. Fingerprints (from the age of 6).

Only official bodies (such as immigration authorities, police, registration authorities) are allowed to read the contents of the chip.

The validity of the electronic residence permit depends on the duration of the residence permit and also requires a valid passport. In the case of permanent residence permits, the card itself is valid for a maximum of 10 years.

If desired, the eAT can also be used as an online identification function or a qualified electronic signature. The responsible immigration authorities can provide more information. You can obtain detailed information on online use and other functions by calling 01801-333333 (3.9 ct / minute / landline).

If you want to invite a foreign visitor who needs a visa to enter the country, it is usually necessary for you to submit a letter of sponsorship to the customer center.

With this declaration, you undertake to ensure the visitor's livelihood, including benefits in the event of illness, for the duration of your stay.
You can only contact the Residents' Customer Service Center responsible for your place of residence. The Bergedorf and Billstedt locations are exceptions. There, please send an e-mail to the Foreigners Affairs department.

A fiction certificate is issued if a decision cannot yet be made about an application for a residence permit, e.g. B. because

• Documents are missing or the foreigner file is not available,
• an ordered electronic residence permit (eAT) cannot be issued before the previous residence permit has expired or
• the outcome of criminal proceedings must be awaited.

A fiction certificate can only be issued if the stay is still legal at the time of the application for the issue or extension of a residence permit.

If you have a valid residence permit (residence permit or national visa for long-term stays - category D), a certificate of fiction will be issued in accordance with Section 81 (4) of the Residence Act.
The residence permit continues to apply with all ancillary provisions (also with regard to dispositions on employment) until a decision has been made on the application. Travel abroad and re-entry into the federal territory are possible with a valid fiction certificate in accordance with Section 81 (4) of the Residence Act .
A re-entry into Germany is only possible if the fiction certificate is still valid and the 3rd field "The residence title as continuing (§ 81 Paragraph 4 AufenthG)" is ticked.
A valid travel document must be carried with you.

If you are coming to Germany with the citizenship of the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Israel, Japan or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for a long-term stay, your citizenship entitles you to stay legally in the Federal Republic of Germany without a visa.
An electronic residence permit (eAT) must be applied for within 90 days.
Until a decision has been made on your first application, the fiction certificate will be issued in accordance with Section 81 (3) of the Residence Act. You are thus allowed to stay in Germany.
However, this fictional certificate does not entitle you to re-entry into the federal territory.
They are not allowed to take up employment.