Residence permit for humanitarian reasons

Issuing a residence permit in Germany

The Federal Ministry of the Interior may, in agreement with the supreme state authorities, permit the admission of foreign nationals from certain states or groups of foreigners in order to safeguard the special political interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. The confirmation of admission of the persons concerned will indicate whether a residence permit or settlement permit will be issued. This residence permit may be subject to a condition restricting residence.

Persons from abroad who have been recognized as refugees or persons entitled to asylum are entitled to a residence permit.

Further information on this can be found at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)(link is external).

In Thuringia, there is a Hardship Commission that can, in exceptional cases, order that a residence permit be issued in deviation from the legal requirements.

The Immigration Office of the City of Jena has changed its processing procedures. In order to shorten waiting times for appointments and residence permits, all applications will in future be checked without a personal appointment. It is therefore no longer necessary to book a personal appointment.

Please send us the relevant application forms and all necessary documents either by post or electronically by e-mail to: antrag-abh@jena.de.(link sends email) Please do not send us any original documents.

We will contact you directly if we have any queries. Therefore, please make sure that you can be contacted by post or, if necessary, by e-mail or telephone if you have any queries.

If a personal appointment is necessary after final examination of your application, you will receive an appointment from us at short notice.

Required documents

• completedapplication form
• passport
• Proof of residence (e.g. rental agreement, in the case of a subletting agreement also a declaration of consent from the owner)
• Proof of health insurance
• Confirmation of admission or notification
• Signed instruction sheet
• If applicable, declaration of consent to the storage and use of your e-mail address and telephone number

• Asylum Act (AsylG)
• Asylum Responsibility Determination Ordinance (AsylZBV)
• Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG)
• Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• Ordinance on the implementation of integration courses for foreigners and late repatriates (Integration Course Ordinance - IntV)