Granting a residence permit to pursue a self-employed activity

You can only apply for a residence permit in person at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence.

• You must submit the required documents in the original and pay the application fee.
• The foreigners authority will check whether the conditions for issuing the permit are met.
• If necessary, other authorities will be involved.
• If all requirements are met, the immigration authority will take your biometric data (photo, fingerprints) and order the electronic residence permit (eAT) from Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
• As soon as the eAT is ready, it will be issued to you by the immigration authority.

You can only be granted a residence permit if

• there is an economic interest or a regional need for the activity and
• the activity is expected to have a positive impact on the economy in Germany and
• the financing of the implementation is secured by equity capital or a loan commitment.

If you have already reached the age of 45, an appropriate pension plan is also required.

Furthermore, the general requirements for obtaining a residence permit must be met.

These are in particular

• a secure livelihood,
• a clarified identity,
• possession of a valid national passport.

• Valid national passport
• Proof of health insurance;
• Tenancy agreement
• Curriculum vitae and proof of qualifications for previous activities and training (diplomas, certificates or attestations)
• Financing plan / business plan
• 1 current biometric photo
• Please ask your local immigration office whether you need to submit any other documents.

Application before the current residence permit expires. It is recommended that you apply 4 to 6 weeks before your current residence permit expires.

The residence permit is issued for a maximum of 3 years.

The processing time depends on the workload at the local Foreigners' Registration Office.

§ Section 21 (1), (3), (4) sentence 1 of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG)

• Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG) Section 21 Self-employment

• Appeal

Detailed information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the decision rejecting your application.

• Administrative court action

• Online procedure possible: no
• Written form required: no
• Personal appearance required: yes

20.11.2020