Dortmund · Aufenthaltstitel
Checklist last verified 2026-06-11
Apply for a residence permit in Dortmund
Non-EU newcomers apply for their residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the Ausländerbehörde in Dortmund. Appointments are scarce and the bar for a complete file is high — turn up missing one document and you usually start over with a new appointment weeks later.
Fee typically ~€100. Appointment waits can run weeks to months in big cities.
Non-EU residents convert their entry visa into a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the local Ausländerbehörde — and later renew it there. Book early: appointments are scarce and you must apply before your current permit/visa expires. If the office can't see you in time, ask for a Fiktionsbescheinigung, which keeps your stay (and right to work) legal while you wait.
What you need to bring
- PassportRequired
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: Issued by your home country. Renew at your country's embassy or consulate in Germany — appointments can take weeks, so check the expiry early.
- Biometric photosRequired
How to get it: Photo booths (often inside Bürgeramt buildings, stations and drugstores) or any photo studio — ask for 'biometrisches Passfoto'. Many offices now also have photo terminals on site.
- Proof of income / job contractRequired
How to get it: From your employer — the signed contract. If you only have a digital copy, a printout is usually accepted; ask HR for a signed original if an office insists.
- Proof of health insuranceRequired
How to get it: Request a membership certificate (Mitgliedsbescheinigung / Versicherungsbescheinigung) from your insurer — most issue it instantly in their app or by email.
- Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate)Required
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: You receive it at your Anmeldung appointment at the Bürgeramt. Lost it? Request a new copy at the Bürgeramt (small fee, often bookable online).
- Application formRequired
From your city's Ausländerbehörde website
- Fee (card or cash)Required
Antrag auf Aufenthaltstitel · Read the full explainer
Can you do it online?
Many immigration offices now let you apply or book online. Your city's own Ausländerbehörde page is linked below — start there, then expect one in-person visit to give fingerprints and collect the card.
Good to know
- Book your appointment as early as possible — many people request one before they've even finished their Anmeldung, then bring the certificate along.
- If your permit expires before your appointment, ask explicitly for a Fiktionsbescheinigung — it keeps your stay (and usually your right to work) legal in the meantime.
- Blue Card holders get a faster route to permanent residence and easier family reunification — mention it if your job and salary qualify.
- Bring printed copies of everything plus the originals; clerks often keep the copies and check against the originals.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for Aufenthaltstitel in Dortmund?
You'll need 7 key documents: Passport, Biometric photos, Proof of income / job contract, Proof of health insurance, Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), Application form, Fee (card or cash). Dortmund and the wider Ruhr area share many North Rhine-Westphalia state portals, and appointments are usually quicker than in Cologne or Düsseldorf.
Can I do Aufenthaltstitel online in Dortmund?
Many immigration offices now let you apply or book online. Your city's own Ausländerbehörde page is linked below — start there, then expect one in-person visit to give fingerprints and collect the card.
Which office handles Aufenthaltstitel in Dortmund?
Apply for a residence permit in Dortmund is handled at the local level in North Rhine-Westphalia. The exact office and any forms are linked from the official source on this page, and once you're on the portal, the free TiG Pilot extension explains each field in plain English.
Checklist last verified 2026-06-11. Rules vary by office and change over time — always confirm with the official source linked above.