Conversion of Residence Permit
Hello,
My wife is an Indian citizen and a permanent resident of Germany, currently employed as a Software Developer. We both reside in Erfurt. I am also an Indian citizen and recently graduated from a German university. I currently hold a Job Seeker Residence Permit valid until July 2026.
I would like to inquire whether it is possible to apply for a spouse residence permit while I am already in Germany. Additionally, I would like to know if my current Job Seeker Residence Permit can be converted into a spouse residence permit without the need to leave Germany.
For your reference, our marriage was solemnized in India, and I hold a German language certificate at the B1 level from a recognized Sprachschule.
I would appreciate any guidance on the procedure and required documentation for this process.
Hi there 👋
I’m not an expert, but here’s what I’ve learned from official sources that might help you.
The first thing to do is to get an appointment at the migration office. You should contact your local Ausländerbehörde in Erfurt and request an “Änderung des Aufenthaltstitels” (change of residence purpose). (Just like I did in München for myself, I found a migration office email, you can inquire about an appointment via email too, describing your issue, I guess. But a phone call or a personal visit will get a quicker answer. E-Mail: auslaenderbehoerde@erfurt.de )
But, anyway - in most cases it’s possible to change from a Job Seeker Residence Permit (§20 AufenthG) to a spouse residence permit (§30 AufenthG) without leaving Germany, especially if your wife is a permanent resident (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and you already live together in Germany.
Usually, you will need the standard list of documents at the migration office, like:
It’s great that you’re already settled in Germany — this change of status is usually straightforward if all documents are complete. You can explain your situation clearly when booking your Ausländerbehörde appointment, and they’ll guide you on the next steps.
Good luck!
Anna, volunteer