Migration

Hello! I would like to get some information about something.

I am a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, and my spouse is from the Russian Federation.

I do not have a residence permit in the Russian Federation and my spouse does not have one in the Republic of Turkey.

We have visas for each other's countries, and since we work remotely, we can visit and stay in each other's countries whenever we want.

We want to apply for an Opportunity Card, but the appointment system is closed in my spouse's country (Russia).

Can my spouse apply for an Opportunity Card with me in my country (Turkey)? As far as I understand, the Istanbul Consulate accepts non-citizens.

Or where can we apply together?

Because if we apply in different places and our applications are accepted, we may receive the Opportunity Card on different dates. In that case, we may need to go to Germany at different times, which is not suitable for us.

Since it's a very specific issue, I couldn't find any information about it online.

I would be grateful if you could help.

Good evening!

Dear Madam or Sir,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am an Afghan student, and I live in Kabul, Afghanistan. In March 2025, I registered on the waiting list for a German National Visa appointment in German visa section for Afghanistan in Islamabad in order to attend my studies at the University of Erfurt. As I was unable to secure an appointment last year, I deferred my studies accordingly.

I now plan to commence my master’s degree studies in 2026. I submitted a new application on 2 January 2026, and the university has kindly confirmed that they are offering me admission to the program.

My current passport is valid until October 2026, and therefore, I will need to obtain a new passport before starting my studies. I would like to kindly ask whether it is possible to retain my existing booking and attend the appointment using a new passport, while also presenting my old passport for reference.

I am concerned that if I cancel my current booking and submit a new request, I may not be able to obtain an appointment this year as it takes over a year to get an appointment. I would therefore be very grateful for your confirmation on whether using the existing booking with a new passport would be acceptable.

Thank you very much for your time and kind assistance. I sincerely appreciate your support and look forward to your guidance.

Best regards

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for guidance on what is allowed under my current residence permit conditions in Berlin, and what options I have for a visa extension.

Background (timeline)

• Moved to Berlin in 2019 (non-EU Country - Not in the high-risk list)
  
   
• Completed my Master’s degree in 2020
  
   
• Worked some part-time jobs (Nebenjobs)
  
   
• Later joined Company X:
  
   
  • Working student: ~6 months
    
     
  • Full-time contract (40 hrs/week): 2022–2024
    
     
  • Total employment at Company X: 3 years, 4 months
    
     
• I resigned due to a toxic work environment
  
   
  • Last working day: Oct 2024
    
     
• After that:
  
   
  • Received ALG I until Oct 2025
    
     
  • Completed a Weiterbildung via Agentur für Arbeit: Jan 2025 – Mar 2025
    
     
• Job search: 180+ applications in 6 months, no offer yet, but maintaining an active database for my Job search. 
  
   
• Since ALG I ended, I have been receiving Bürgergeld since November 2025
  
   

Current residence permit

• Residence permit: § 18b Abs. 1 AufenthG
  
   
• Valid until: 18.04.2026
  
   
• Zusatzblatt wording (exact):
   “Beschäftigung nicht erlaubt mit Ausnahme der Tätigkeit als XXX bei XXX GmbH. Selbstständige Tätigkeit erlaubt nach 2 Jahren. Versicherungspflichtig beschäftigt. Ist beschäftigt. Jeder Art erlaubt.”
  
   

Questions

1. Employment permissions:
   Based on this Zusatzblatt, am I allowed to take a part-time job that is not related to my field, e.g., a “non-qualified” job (unqualified/helper job / Barista), to cover living costs, if I voluntarily decide to take part-time employment that does not physically strain me or cause a hindrance in my regular job search criteria? 

    

2. If I don’t take a part-time job:
    What realistic options do I have to extend my residence permit when my current permit expires?
   
    
3. Requirement for extension:
   For an extension under §18b, do I need to show an employment contract (qualified or unqualified), or can an extension be granted while actively job searching?
   
    
4. Bürgergeld and extension chances:
   What are the chances of getting an extension if I’m currently receiving Bürgergeld, but have a strong employment history and ongoing job search? If yes, what kind of Extension and for approximately how long could I get it? 
   
    
5. Basis for extension application:
   If I apply for extension while receiving Bürgergeld, what “basis” should I select on the LEA application? (For example: job search, pending employment, change of employer, etc.)
   
    
6. Timing:
   When is the best time to submit the extension request to LEA if my permit expires on 18.04.2026?
7. I also want to understand what do the "aufenthaltsrechtlichen Nebenbestimmungen" mean exactly in this case? 
   
    

Any guidance would be highly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Hello all. I'm doing some preliminary research on potential German citizenship for my wife.

Her grandparents were German citizens. Citizenship was not passed down to their child (her mother), but they were jews prosecuted by the Nazi's and forced to flee to the United States. We have their original joint German passport in hand.

Is she able to apply for citizenship?

Thank you very much.

Born in germany to german parents who moved to usa in 1954. How do i reinstate my german citizenship while maintaining my usa citizenship

Greetings forum,  

I have contradicting info about gaining German citizenship - and am wondering if someone here can lend some clarity.  

I was born in Frankfurt am Main in 1962 to an American father and German mother.  I have a German birth certificate and had lived in Germany for most of my childhood, then moving with my family to the US in my early teens. I now reside in the US.  

What are my chances for gaining German citizenship? Will I have to relinquish US citizenship in doing so? 

Thanking you in advance.

> Hello,

> I have approximately 17 years of hands-on work experience in the construction sector, although I do not hold formal academic degrees. I do have some non-academic certificates related to my work.

> I am interested in accessing the German job market in the construction field. However, I currently do not have a German language certificate or a driver’s license, which I have noticed are often required in job listings.

> Given my background and limitations, am I eligible to apply for work opportunities in Germany? What are the possible pathways for someone with my profile to enter the German labor market?

> I would appreciate your guidance on what steps I should take.

> Thank you very much

Hello everyone and thanks for helping me with my questions, 

I have been working as a researcher in a research institute with a university in Hessen since 01.09.2023. I received an EU Blue Card on the basis of my contract(which ended on 31.09.2025). The EU Blue Card last day of validity is 31.12.2025. 

As you know how it is with research institutes and applying for grant as a Ph.D. student could be tough, we received a preliminary approval for an EU grant which begins in 01.01.2026 for a period of 3 years. 

However it is not yet finalized so the university only gave me a contract until the end of the year(so 3-month gap from 31.09.2025 to 31.12.2025). I will hopefully get a new longer term contract(from 01.01.2026 to end of 31.12.2027) very soon in the coming weeks. 

My question is what should I do with regards to my blue card situation in this case. I received a letter that I must apply for an extension of Blue card 8 weeks before. But I only atm have the 3-month contract which is not enough(I guess) for an extension. Is there a way to get some from the foreigners' office until I get the new contract?

Hello,

I am writing behalf of my spouse, who is a registered nurse here with 'Urkunde' and currently working under my Blue card visa for last 2.5 years. We would like to change her visa from spouse of Blue card holder to skilled worker category so that she will be eligible for applying permanent residency ( as per the information from internet).  

How can we change the visa category. is it possible to do online application?.

Thanks in advance for any help of useful information.

Best Regards,

Jenson 

Guten Tag,

I got an admission confirmation for (IHK-certified safety specialist §34a) with letter of Job offer as Security Guard (after completion of training). I have completed B-1 und having a Master degree in Environmental Science with 15 years of working experience in NGO sector in Pakistan (worked with International NGOs e.g. Islamic Relief, ACTED, IRC, Qatar Charity in different leadership role). I am waiting for Asy. results even after 16 months. I am also getting the job offer from personaldienste GmbH (Recruitment agencies) as Lagerhelfer (temporary jobs). I want to choose the carrier which can benefit my Asy. case as well. Please need advice;

- I am also registered with Bendesagenture fur Arbeit as Job seeker with Customer number. Can i get the  Bildungsgutschein for this security training 34a? 

- What Job to prioritize between these two? with comparative analysis for my future perspective as well.

Thanks,

Ali

Hallo,

Since 15 months of my BAMF Interview, i received a letter from BAMF to wait until 15th months. Now this period is completed without any further notification from BAMF about my Interview decision.

In the meanwhile after my Interview, the reasons i highlighted in my Interview further devastated in my hosting country, while my family threat further fragile. 

I am still in the Camp und i am looking for advice, should i inform the BAMF about the worse fragile situation in my hosting country? (The German DW News, BBC, Amnesty Int. UNHCR and Human Rights reports also highlighted these fragile situations in their News and reports. 

During this 15 months period, i have completed my Integration Course with B-1 Certificate and now looking for Job (at this stage job searching is a little harder, as i need also a work permission and its taking almost 2 to 4 weeks).

How i can move ahead? How can i get a legal help free of cost?

Apologies, but i can't highlights all my reasons here, as here these information or public visible, but when i get a focal person or legal person, then i can share all my case record, reasons and post interview worse situations as well.

Thanks and looking ahead for guidance.

Ali

Goodday. I have italian resident permit ( EU) with my asylum document. I use titolo di viaggio as my passport, because am not allow to use my country passport. Please can I work in Germany ?