Apply for a residence permit in Halle (Saale)

Non-EU newcomers apply for their residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the Ausländerbehörde in Halle (Saale). 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

Checklist last verified 2026-06-11. Rules vary by office and change over time — always confirm with the official source linked above.