Source: http://docplayer.net/11784342-Act-on-the-residence-economic-activity-and-integration-of-foreigners-in-the-federal-territory-residence-act.html
Timestamp: 2018-05-23 02:21:21
Document Index: 247272038

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4']

Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory Residence Act - PDF
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1 Übersetzung durch den Sprachendienst des Bundesministeriums des Innern Translation provided by the Language Service of the Federal Ministry of the Interior Stand: Die Übersetzung berücksichtigt die Änderung(en) des Gesetzes durch Artikel 3 des Gesetzes vom (BGBl. I S. 3556) Version information: The translation includes the amendment(s) to the Act by Article 3 of the Act of (Federal Law Gazette I p. 3556) 2015 juris GmbH, Saarbrücken Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory Residence Act Residence Act in the version promulgated on 25 February 2008 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 162), last amended by Article 3 of the Act of 6 September 2013 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 3556) Chapter 1 General information Section 1 Purpose of the Act; scope (1) This Act shall serve to control and restrict the influx of foreigners into the Federal Republic of Germany. It shall enable and organise immigration with due regard to the capacities for admission and integration and the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany in terms of its economy and labour market. At the same time, the Act shall also serve to fulfil the Federal Republic of Germany's humanitarian obligations. To this end, it shall regulate the entry, stay and economic activity of foreigners and the integration of foreigners. The provisions contained in other acts shall remain unaffected. (2) This Act shall not apply to foreigners 1. whose legal status is regulated by the Act on the General Freedom of movement for EU Citizens, in the absence of any legal provisions to the contrary, 2. who are not subject to German jurisdiction according to the provisions of Sections 18 to 20 of the Courts Constitution Act, 3. who, by virtue of treaties on diplomatic and consular communication and on the activities of international organisations and institutions, are exempt from immigration restrictions, from the obligation to notify the foreigners authority of their stay and from the requirement for a residence title, and when reciprocity applies, insofar as this may constitute a prerequisite for such exemptions. Section 2 Definitions (1) A foreigner is anyone who is not German within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law. (2) Economic activity is self-employment and employment within the meaning of Section 7 of Book Four of the Social Code. (3) A foreigner's subsistence shall be secure when he or she is able to earn a living, including adequate health insurance coverage, without recourse to public funds. Drawing the following benefits shall not constitute recourse to public funds: 1. child benefits, Page 1 of 108
2 2. children s allowances, 3. child-raising benefits, 4. parental allowances, 5. educational and training assistance in accordance with Book Three of the Social Code, the Federal Education Assistance Act or the Upgrading Training Assistance Act, or 6. public funds based on own contributions or granted in order to enable residence in Germany. A foreigner who is enrolled in a statutory health insurance fund shall be deemed to have sufficient health insurance coverage. Other family members contributions to household income shall be taken into account when issuing or renewing residence permits allowing the subsequent immigration of dependants. For the purposes of issuance of a residence permit pursuant to Section 16, a foreigner s subsistence shall be deemed to be secure where he or she has funds in the amount of the monthly requirement as determined pursuant to Sections 13 and 13a (1) of the Federal Education Assistance Act. For the purposes of issuance of a residence permit pursuant to Section 20, an amount corresponding to two-thirds of the reference figure defined in accordance with Section 18 of Book Four of the Social Code shall be deemed adequate to cover the cost of living. The Federal Ministry of the Interior shall announce the minimum amounts pursuant to sentences 5 and 6 in the Federal Gazette annually by 31 December for the following year. (4) The space which is required to accommodate a person in need of accommodation in state-subsidised welfare housing shall constitute sufficient living space. Living space which does not comply with the statutory provisions for Germans with regard to condition and occupancy shall not be adequate for foreigners. Children up to the age of two shall not be included in calculation of the sufficient living space for the accommodation of families. (5) Schengen states are states in which the following legal acts apply in their entirety: 1. Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 between the Governments of the States of the Benelux Economic Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic on the gradual abolition of checks at their common borders (Official Journal no. L 239 of , p. 19), 2. Regulation (EC) no. 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Official Journal no. L 105 of , p. 1) and 3. Regulation (EC) no. 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Official Journal no. L 243 of , p. 1). (6) Temporary protection within the meaning of this Act is the granting of residence in application of Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for the granting of temporary protection in the case of the mass influx of displaced foreigners and on measures to promote the balanced distribution of the burdens associated with the admission of these persons and the consequences of such admission among the Member States (Official EC Journal no. L 212, p. 12). Page 2 of 108
3 (7) A foreigner to whom the legal status of long-term resident has been granted in a Member State of the European Union pursuant to Article 2, letter b of Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the legal status of thirdcountry nationals who are long-term residents (Official EU Journal 2004 no. L 16, p. 44), most recently amended by Directive 2011/51/EU (Official EU Journal no. L 132 of 19 May p. 1), and not subsequently revoked shall be deemed to be a longterm resident. The EC residence permit issued to long-term residents by another Member State in line with Article 8 of Directive 2003/109/EC shall be deemed to constitute long-term residence status (EU). (9) Basic knowledge of the German language shall be deemed to correspond to Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Recommendation no. R(98)6 of 17 March 1998 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to Member States concerning the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR). (10) Elementary knowledge of the German language shall be deemed to correspond to Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. (11) Sufficient command of the German language shall be deemed to correspond to Level B1 of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. (12) A foreigner shall be deemed to have a strong command of the German language if his or her knowledge of the language corresponds to Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. (13) A foreigner shall be deemed to have international protection status if he or she enjoys international protection within the meaning of 1. Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third-country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted (Official Journal EU no. L 304, p. 12), or of 2. Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted (Official Journal no. L 337 of 20 December 2011, p. 9). Chapter 2 Entry into and residence in the federal territory Part 1 General Section 3 Passport obligation (1) Foreigners may only enter or stay in the federal territory if they are in possession of a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute, unless they are exempt from the passport obligation by virtue of a statutory instrument. For the purpose of residence in the federal territory, possession of a substitute identity document shall also suffice in order to meet the passport obligation (Section 48 (2)). (2) In justified individual cases, the Federal Ministry of the Interior or a body designated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior may permit exemptions from the Page 3 of 108
4 passport obligation before the foreigner enters the federal territory for the purpose of crossing the border, and for a subsequent stay of up to six months. Section 4 Residence title requirement (1) In order to enter and stay in the federal territory, foreigners shall require a residence title, in the absence of any provisions to the contrary in the law of the European Union or a statutory instrument and except where a right of residence exists as a result of the agreement of 12 September 1963 establishing an association between the European Economic Community and Turkey (Federal Law Gazette 1964 II, p. 509) (EEC/Turkey Association Agreement). The residence titles shall be granted in the form of 1. a visa pursuant to Section 6 (1), no. 1 and (3), 2. a residence permit (Section 7), 2a. an EU Blue Card (Section 19a), 3. settlement permit (Section 9) or 4. an EU long-term residence permit (Section 9a). The legal provisions governing residence permits shall also apply to the EU Blue Card in the absence of any law or statutory instrument to the contrary. (2) A residence title shall entitle the holder to pursue an economic activity insofar as this is laid down in this Act or the residence title expressly permits pursuit of an economic activity. Every residence title must indicate whether the pursuit of an economic activity is permitted. A foreigner who is not in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of employment can only be permitted to take up employment if the Federal Employment Agency has granted its approval or a statutory instrument stipulates that taking up the employment concerned is permissible without the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. Any restrictions imposed by the Federal Employment Agency in granting approval are to be specified in the residence title. (3) Foreigners may only pursue an economic activity if the residence title so allows. Foreigners may only be employed or commissioned to perform other paid work or services if they possess such a residence title. This restriction shall not apply if the foreigner is permitted by virtue of an intergovernmental agreement, a law or a statutory instrument to pursue an economic activity without requiring due authorisation via a residence title. Anyone employing a foreigner or commissioning a foreigner on a sustained basis to perform paid work or services for gain in the federal territory must ascertain whether the conditions pursuant to sentence 2 or sentence 3 apply. Anyone employing a foreigner in the federal territory must keep a copy of the residence title or of the document confirming permission to stay in the federal territory (pending asylum procedures) or confirming suspension of deportation, in electronic or paper form for the duration of the employment. (4) (revoked) (5) A foreigner who possesses a right of residence in accordance with the EEC/Turkey Association Agreement is obliged to furnish evidence of the existence of said right of residence through the possession of a residence permit, unless he or she is in possession of a settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit. Said residence permit shall be issued on application. Page 4 of 108
5 Section 5 General preconditions for the granting of a residence title (1) The granting of a residence title shall generally presuppose 1. that the foreigner s subsistence is secure; 1a. that the foreigner's identity is established, as is his or her nationality, if he or she is not entitled to return to another state, 2. no grounds for expulsion apply. 3. if the foreigner has no entitlement to a residence title, that the foreigner s residence does not compromise or jeopardise the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany for any other reason and 4. that the passport obligation pursuant to Section 3 is met. (2) The granting of a residence permit, a settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit further presupposes that the foreigner 1. has entered the country with the necessary visa and 2. has already furnished the key information required for granting the title in his or her visa application. These requirements may be waived if the prerequisites qualifying a foreigner for the granting of a residence title are met or if special circumstances relating to the individual case concerned render a subsequent visa application procedure unreasonable. (3) Application of sub-sections 1 and 2 shall be waived in the cases of issuance of a residence title pursuant to Sections 24, 25 (1) to (3) and Section 26 (3); application of sub-section 1, nos. 1 to 2 and 4 and sub-section 2 shall be waived in the cases of Section 25 (4a) and (4b). Application of sub-sections 1 and 2 may be waived in the other cases of issuance of a residence title pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 5. Where application of sub-section 1, no. 2 is waived, the foreigners authority may point out that expulsion is possible on certain grounds forming the subject of criminal or other proceedings which are still in progress, whereby such grounds are to be specified individually. (4) A residence title shall be refused if one of the grounds for expulsion pursuant to Section 54, nos. 5 to 5b applies. Exemptions from sentence 1 may be approved in justified individual cases, if the foreigner divulges said activities or allegiances to the competent authorities and credibly distances himself or herself from his or her actions posing a threat to security. In justified individual cases, the Federal Ministry of the Interior or a body designated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior may permit exemptions from sentence 1 before the foreigner enters the country for the purpose of crossing the border, and for a subsequent stay of up to six months. Section 6 Visa (1) A foreigner may be issued the following visas in accordance with Regulation (EC) no. 810/2009: 1. a visa for the purpose of transit through the territory of the Schengen states or for planned stays in this territory of up to three months within a period of six months from the date of initial entry (Schengen visa), Page 5 of 108
6 2. an airport transit visa for the purpose of passing through the international transit area at airports. (2) In accordance with Regulation (EC) no. 810/2009, Schengen visas may be extended up to a total stay of three months within a period of six months beginning on the date of initial entry. A Schengen visa may be extended by a further three months within the six-month period concerned as a national visa on the grounds stated in Article 33 of the Regulation (EC) no. 810/2009/EC, to safeguard the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany or for reasons of international law. (3) A visa for the federal territory (national visa) shall be required for stays of longer duration; this visa shall be issued before the foreigner enters the federal territory. Issuance shall be based on the regulations applying to the residence permit, the EU Blue Card, the settlement permit and the EU long-term residence permit. The duration of lawful stay with a national visa shall be offset against the periods of possession of a residence permit, EU Blue Card, settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit. (4) An exceptional visa within the meaning of Section 14 (2) shall be issued as a visa within the meaning of sub-section 1 no. 1 or sub-section 3. Section 7 Residence permit (1) The residence permit shall be a temporary residence title. It shall be issued for the purposes of residence stated in the following Parts of this Act. In justified cases, a residence permit may also be issued for a purpose of residence which is not covered by this Act. (2) The residence permit shall be subject to a time limit which takes due account of the intended purpose of residence. Should a vital prerequisite for issuance, extension or the duration of validity cease to apply, it shall also be possible to subsequently reduce the length of validity. Section 8 Extension of the residence permit (1) Extension of the residence permit shall be subject to the same regulations as apply to issuance. (2) As a general rule, the residence permit shall not be extended if the competent authority has prohibited an extension in the case of a stay which is of only a temporary nature in accordance with the purpose of residence or at the time the residence permit was last extended. (3) Before the residence permit is extended, it must be ascertained whether the foreigner has fulfilled his or her obligation to duly attend an integration course. If a foreigner breaches his or her obligation to duly attend an integration course pursuant to Section 44a (1), sentence 1, this shall be taken into account in the decision on extending the residence permit. Where no entitlement to issuance of the residence permit exists, extension of the residence permit shall be refused in the case of repeated and gross breach of the obligations pursuant to sentence 1. Where an entitlement to extension of the residence permit applies only pursuant to this Act, extension may be refused unless the foreigner furnishes evidence that he or she has achieved integration into the community and society by other means. In reaching a decision on this matter, due consideration shall be given to the duration of lawful stay, the foreigner s legitimate ties to the federal territory and consequences of the termination of residence for dependants of the foreigner who Page 6 of 108
7 are lawfully resident in the federal territory. If a foreigner was or is obliged to attend an integration course pursuant to Section 44a (1), sentence 1, the residence permit shall be extended for at most one year if he or she has not successfully completed the integration course or has not yet furnished evidence that that he or she has achieved integration into the community and society by other means. (4) Sub-section 3 shall not be applicable to the extension of a residence permit issued pursuant to Section 25 (1), (2) or (3). Section 9 Settlement permit (1) The settlement permit shall be a permanent residence title. It shall entitle the holder to pursue an economic activity and may only be supplemented with a subsidiary provision in those cases which are expressly permitted by this Act. Section 47 shall remain unaffected. (2) A foreigner shall be granted the settlement permit provided that 1. he or she has held a residence permit for five years, 2. his or her subsistence is secure, 3. he or she has paid compulsory or voluntary contributions into the statutory pension scheme for at least 60 months or furnishes evidence of an entitlement to comparable benefits from an insurance or pension scheme or from an insurance company; time off for the purposes of child care or nursing at home shall be duly taken into account, 4. the granting of such a residence permit is not precluded by reasons of public safety or order, according due consideration to the severity or the nature of the breach of public safety or order or the danger emanating from the foreigner, with due regard to the duration of the foreigner s stay to date and the existence of ties in the federal territory, 5. he or she is permitted to be in employment, if he or she is in employment, 6. he or she is in possession of the other permits which are required for the purpose of the permanent pursuit of his or her economic activity, 7. he or she has a sufficient command of the German language, 8. he or she possesses a basic knowledge of the legal and social system and the way of life in the federal territory and 9. he or she possesses sufficient living space for himself or herself and the members of his or her family forming part of his or her household. The requirements of sentence 1, nos. 7 and 8 shall be deemed to be fulfilled if an integration course has been successfully completed. These requirements shall be waived if the foreigner is unable to fulfil them on account of a physical, mental or psychological illness or handicap. The requirements of sentence 1, nos. 7 and 8 may also be waived in order to avoid hardship. The aforesaid requirements shall further be waived if the foreigner is able to communicate verbally in the German language at a basic level and has not been entitled to participate in an integration course pursuant to Section 44 (3), no. 2 or has not been obliged to participate in an integration course pursuant to Section 44a (2), no. 3. The requirements of sentence 1, nos. 2 and 3 shall also be waived if the foreigner is unable to fulfil them due to the grounds stated in sentence 3. Page 7 of 108
8 (3) In the case of cohabiting spouses, it shall suffice if the requirements in accordance with sub-section 2, sentence 1, nos. 3, 5 and 6 are fulfilled by one spouse. The requirement in accordance with sub-section 2, sentence 1, no. 3 shall be waived if the foreigner is undergoing education or training which leads to a recognised school, vocational or higher education qualification. Sentence 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis in the cases covered by Section 26 (4). (4) The following periods shall be taken into account with regard to the periods of possession of a residence permit which are necessary in order to qualify for issuance of a settlement permit: 1. The duration of former possession of a residence permit or settlement permit, if the foreigner was in possession of a settlement permit at the time of leaving the federal territory, minus the duration of intermediate stays outside of the federal territory which led to expiry of the settlement permit; a maximum of four years shall be taken into account. 2. A maximum of six months for each stay outside of the federal territory which has not led to expiry of the residence permit. 3. Half of the period of lawful stay for the purposes of study or vocational training in the federal territory. Section 9a EU long-term residence permit (1) The EU long-term residence permit is a permanent residence title. Section 9 (1), sentences 2 and 3 shall apply accordingly. In the absence of any provisions to the contrary in this Act, the EU long-term residence permit shall be equivalent to the settlement permit. (2) A foreigner shall be issued with an EU long-term residence permit pursuant to Article 2, letter b of Directive 2003/109/EC provided that 1. he or she has been resident in the federal territory with a residence title for five years, 2. his or her subsistence and the subsistence of his or her dependants whom he or she is required to support is ensured by a fixed and regular income, 3. he or she has sufficient command of the German language, 4. he or she possesses a basic knowledge of the legal and social system and the way of life in the federal territory, 5. the granting of such a residence permit is not precluded by reasons of public safety or order, according due consideration to the severity or the nature of the breach of public safety or order or the danger emanating from the foreigner, with due regard to the duration of the foreigner s stay to date and the existence of ties in the federal territory and 6. he or she possesses sufficient living space for himself or herself and the members of his or her family forming part of his or her household. Section 9 (2), sentences 2 to 5 shall apply mutatis mutandis to sentence 1, nos. 3 and 4. (3) Sub-section 2 shall not apply if the foreigner 1. possesses a residence title pursuant to Part 5 which was not issued on the basis of Section 23 (2) or holds a comparable legal status in another Member State of the Page 8 of 108
9 European Union and if he or she has not been recognised as eligible for international protection in the Federal Republic of Germany or another Member State of the European Union; the same shall apply if he or she has applied for such title or such legal status, and the decision on this application is pending, 2. has applied for recognition as being eligible for international protection or for temporary protection within the meaning of Section 24 and the decision on this application is pending, 3. possesses a legal status in another Member State of the European Union which corresponds to that described in Section 1 (2), no. 2, 4. is resident in the federal territory with a residence permit pursuant to Section 16 or Section 17 or 5. is resident for another purpose of an inherently temporary nature, in particular a) by virtue of a residence permit pursuant to Section 18, where the time limit on the approval granted by the Federal Employment Agency is based on a maximum term of employment imposed pursuant to Section 42 (1), b) if an extension to his or her residence permit has been prohibited pursuant to Section 8 (2) or c) if his or her residence permit serves to enable the foreigner to live together or to continue to live together as a family with a foreigner who himself/herself is only resident in the federal territory for a purpose of an inherently temporary nature, where no independent right of residence would arise upon the family unity ending. Section 9b Crediting of residence periods (1) The following periods shall be credited towards the necessary periods pursuant to Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1: 1. Periods of residence outside of the federal territory during which the foreigner possessed a residence title and a) was resident abroad on account of having been sent to a foreign country in connection with his or her work, provided that such individual periods have not exceeded six months or a longer period stipulated by the foreigners authority pursuant to Section 51 (1), no. 7, or b) the total periods do not exceed six consecutive months or, within the period stated in Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1, a total of ten months, 2. previous periods of residence in the federal territory with a residence permit, settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit, where the foreigner was in possession of a settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit at the time of leaving the federal territory and the settlement permit or the EU long-term residence permit has expired solely on account of residence outside of Member States of the European Union or due to acquisition of the legal status of a long-term residence in another Member State of the European Union, up to a maximum of four years, 3. periods in which the foreigner was entitled to freedom of movement, 4. half of any periods of lawful stay for the purposes of study or vocational training in the federal territory, Page 9 of 108
10 5. in the case of foreigners eligible for international protection the period between the date on which the application for international protection was filed and the date on which a residence title was issued on account of the fact that he or she was granted international protection. Periods of residence pursuant to Section 9a (3), no. 5 and periods of residence in which the foreigner also met the conditions of Section 9a (3), no. 3 shall not be credited. Periods of residence outside of the federal territory shall not be deemed to interrupt the period of residence pursuant to Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1 where the residence outside of the federal territory has not resulted in expiry of the residence title; such periods shall not be considered when determining the total duration of residence pursuant to Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1. In all other cases, exit from the federal territory shall not be deemed to interrupt the period of residence pursuant to Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1. (2) Periods during which the foreigner holds a EU Blue Card issued by another Member State of the shall be credited as periods required by Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1, provided the foreigner 1. resided in said other Member State of the European Union holding an EU Blue Card for at least 18 months and 2. has resided in the federal territory for at least two years holding an EU Blue Card when filing the application. Periods of residence outside of the European Union shall not be credited. However, such periods shall not be deemed to interrupt the period of residence pursuant to Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1 if they do not exceed twelve consecutive months and if they do not exceed a total of 18 months within the period laid down in Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 1. Sentences 1 to 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to dependants of the foreigner who have been granted a residence permit under Sections 30 or 32. Section 9c Subsistence Fixed and regular income within the meaning of Section 9a (2), sentence 1, no. 2 generally applies where 1. the foreigner has met his or her tax obligations, 2. the foreigner or his or her cohabiting spouse has paid contributions or made adequate provision for an old-age pension in Germany or abroad, provided that he or she has not been prevented from doing so by a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability, 3. the foreigner and his or her dependants living with him or her as a family unit are safeguarded from the risk of illness and the need for nursing care by statutory health insurance or an essentially equivalent form of insurance coverage which applies for an indefinite period or is extended automatically and 4. the foreigner who obtains his or her regular income from an economic activity is entitled to perform the economic activity concerned and also possesses the other permits required to this end. In the case of cohabiting spouses, it shall suffice if the requirements in accordance with sentence 1, no. 4 are fulfilled by one spouse. With regard to the contributions or provisions which are necessary pursuant to sentence 1, no. 2, no higher Page 10 of 108
11 contributions or provisions shall be required than are provided for in Section 9 (2), sentence 1, no. 3. Section 10 Mutual effects of residence titles and applications for asylum (1) In the absence of a legal entitlement, a foreigner who has filed an application for asylum may only be granted a residence title prior to legally valid completion of the asylum procedure with the approval of the supreme Land authority, and only when vital interests of the Federal Republic of Germany so require. (2) A residence title issued or extended by the foreigners authority after the foreigner has entered the federal territory can be extended in accordance with the provisions of this Act, irrespective of whether the foreigner has filed an application for asylum. (3) A foreigner whose asylum application has been incontestably rejected or who has withdrawn his or her asylum application may only be granted a residence title prior to leaving the federal territory in accordance with the provisions of Part 5. If the asylum application has been rejected in accordance with Section 30 (3), nos. 1 to 6 of the Asylum Procedure Act, no residence title may be issued prior to the foreigner leaving the federal territory. Sentences 1 and 2 shall not apply in cases of entitlement to issuance of a residence title; sentence 2 shall further not apply where the foreigner meets the requirements for issuance of a residence permit pursuant to Section 25 (3). Section 11 Ban on entry and residence (1) A foreigner who has been expelled, removed or deported shall not be permitted to re-enter or stay in the federal territory. He or she shall not be granted a residence title, even if the requirements entitling him or her to a title in accordance with this Act are fulfilled. Time limits shall be applied to the effects stated in sentences 1 and 2 on application. The time limit shall be set according to the individual case concerned and may only exceed five years if the foreigner has been expelled on the grounds of a criminal conviction or if he or she poses a serious danger to public safety or law and order. The setting of the time limit shall take due account of whether the foreigner has left the federal territory voluntarily and in good time. The time limit shall begin when the person concerned leaves the federal territory. No time limit shall be applied if a foreigner has been deported from the federal territory on account of a crime against peace, a war crime or a crime against humanity, or on the basis of a deportation order pursuant to Section 58a. The supreme Land authority may permit exemptions from sentence 7 in individual cases. (2) By way of exception, the foreigner may, except in cases covered by sub-section 1, sentence 7, be granted temporary entrance into the federal territory for a short period prior to expiry of the exclusion period stipulated in accordance with subsection 1, sentence 3, if his or her presence is required for compelling reasons or if the refusal of permission would constitute undue hardship. Sub-section 1, sentence 8 shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases pursuant to sub-section 1, sentence 7. Section 12 Area of application; subsidiary provisions (1) The residence title shall be issued for the federal territory. Its validity in accordance with the provisions of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement for residence in the territories of the parties signatory shall remain unaffected. Page 11 of 108
12 (2) The visa and the residence permit may be issued and extended subject to conditions. Conditions, in particular geographic restrictions, may also be imposed subsequently on visa and residence permits. (3) A foreigner is to leave forthwith any part of the federal territory which he or she may enter in breach of a geographic restriction without the permission of the foreigners authority. (4) The stay of a foreigner who does not require a residence title may be made subject to time limits, geographic restrictions, conditions and requirements. (5) The foreigners authority may permit the foreigner to leave the residence area which is restricted on the basis of this Act. This permission shall be granted if an urgent public interest applies, if it is necessary for compelling reasons or if refusing permission would constitute undue hardship. The foreigner shall need no permission to attend appointments at authorities or court hearings where his personal appearance is necessary. Part 2 Entry Section 13 Border crossing (1) Entry into and exit from the federal territory shall be permitted only at the approved border crossing points and within the stipulated traffic hours, in the absence of any exceptions which may be permissible on the basis of other statutory provisions or intergovernmental agreements. Foreigners shall be obliged to carry a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute in accordance with Section 3 (1) when entering or leaving the federal territory and to submit to the police control of cross-border traffic. (2) A foreigner shall be deemed to have entered the federal territory only after having crossed the border and passed through the border checkpoint. Should the authorities charged with policing cross-border traffic allow a foreigner to pass through the border checkpoint for a specific temporary purpose prior to a decision on the refusal of entry (Section 15 of this Act, Sections 18, 18a of the Asylum Procedure Act) or during preparation, safeguarding and implementation of this measure, this shall not constitute entry pursuant to sentence 1 as long as the said authorities remain able to monitor the foreigner's stay. The foreigner shall otherwise be deemed to have entered the federal territory when crossing the border. Section 14 Unlawful entry; exceptional visa (1) The entry of a foreigner into the federal territory shall be unlawful if he or she 1. does not possess a required passport or passport substitute in accordance with Section 3 (1), 2. does not possess the residence title required in accordance with Section 4, 2a. does possess the necessary visa pursuant to Section 4 upon entry, but obtained it by threat, bribery or collusion or by furnishing incorrect or incomplete information, for which reason it is revoked or annulled retrospectively, or 3. is not permitted to enter the federal territory in accordance with Section 11 (1), unless he or she possesses a temporary entry permit in accordance with Section 11 (2). Page 12 of 108
13 (2) The authorities charged with policing cross-border traffic may issue exceptional visa and passport substitute documents. Section 15 Refusal of entry (1) A foreigner wishing to enter the federal territory unlawfully shall be refused entry at the border. (2) A foreigner may be refused entry at the border if 1. a reason for expulsion exists, 2. there is a well-founded suspicion that the foreigner does not intend to stay in the country for the stated purpose, 2a. he or she only possesses a Schengen visa or is exempted from the visa requirement for a short-term stay and intends to pursue an economic activity counter to Section 4 (3), sentence 1 or 3. he or she does not fulfil the conditions for entry into the territory of the parties signatory in accordance with Article 5 of the Schengen Borders Code. (3) A foreigner who is exempted from the requirement for a residence title for the purpose of a temporary stay in the federal territory may be refused entry if he or she does not fulfil the requirements of Section 3 (1) and Section 5 (1). (4) Section 60 (1) to (3), (5) and (7) to (9) shall apply mutatis mutandis. A foreigner who has filed an application for asylum may not be refused entry if he or she is permitted to stay in the federal territory in accordance with the provisions of the Asylum Procedure Act. (5) In order to ensure that a refusal of entry is effective where a ruling to refuse entry has been issued and cannot be enforced immediately, the foreigner concerned is to be taken into custody (detention pending exit from the federal territory) by virtue of a judicial order. Section 62 (4) shall otherwise apply mutatis mutandis. Sub-section 1 shall not apply in cases in which the judge declines to issue a corresponding judicial order or to extend the period of detention. (6) Where the foreigner has reached the federal territory by air and has not entered pursuant to Section 13 (2) but has been refused entry, he or she shall be taken to the transit area of an airport or to a place of accommodation from which his or her exit from the federal territory is possible if detention pending exit from the federal territory is not applied for. The foreigner s stay in the transit area of an airport or in accommodation pursuant to sentence 1 shall require a judicial order no later than 30 days after arrival at the airport or, should the time of arrival not be ascertainable, after the competent authorities obtain knowledge of the foreigner s arrival. The judicial order shall be issued to ensure the foreigner s due exit from the federal territory. It shall be permitted only where exit is to be expected within the term of the order. Sub-section 5 shall apply mutatis mutandis. Section 15a Allocation to the Länder of foreigners who have entered the federal territory unlawfully (1) Foreigners who enter the country illegally without applying for asylum and who, upon their illegal entry being established, cannot be placed in custody pending deportation and deported or expelled directly from custody are to be allocated to the respective Länder prior to the decision on the suspension of deportation or issuance Page 13 of 108
14 of a residence title. They shall not be entitled to be allocated to a specific Land or a specific town or location. Allocation to the Länder shall be carried out by a central allocation agency to be appointed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. In the absence of any divergent allocation basis agreed between the Länder, the allocation basis stipulated for the allocation of asylum seekers shall apply. Each Land shall appoint up to seven authorities to initiate allocation by the agency appointed in accordance with sentence 3 and to admit the allocated foreigners. If the foreigner furnishes evidence prior to allocation that a household community exists between spouses or parents and their minor children or that other compelling reasons exist which conflict with allocation to a certain place, this shall receive due consideration in the allocation process. (2) The foreigners authorities may require foreigners to present themselves to the authority initiating allocation. This shall not apply when due consideration is to be accorded to submissions in accordance with sub-section 1, sentence 6. An obligation imposed in accordance with sentence 1 shall not be contestable. Any legal actions shall have no suspensory effect. (3) The central allocation agency shall inform the authority which has initiated allocation as to the reception centre which is obliged to admit the foreigners concerned pursuant to sentences 2 and 3. If the Land whose authority has initiated allocation has not filled its admission quota, the Land's reception centre located nearest to this authority with available admission capacity shall be obliged to admit the foreigners concerned. Otherwise, the reception centre designated by the central allocation agency on the basis of the allocation quota pursuant to Section 45 of the Asylum Procedure Act and the available accommodation capacities shall be obliged to admit the foreigners concerned. Section 46 (4) and (5) of the Asylum Procedure Act are to be applied mutatis mutandis. (4) In the cases covered by sub-section 3, sentence 3, the authority which has initiated allocation pursuant to sub-section 3 shall order the foreigner to report to the reception centre designated as a result of the allocation process; in the cases covered by sub-section 3, sentence 2, it may issue such an order. The foreigners authority shall forward the result of the hearing to the authority initiating allocation, which shall notify the central allocation agency of the number of foreigners, stating the countries of origin and the results of the hearing. Spouses and parents and their minor, unmarried children shall be registered and allocated as a group. The foreigner is to stay at this reception centre until re-allocated to another location within the Land, but until suspension of deportation or until issuance of a residence title at the latest; Sections 12 and 61 (1) shall remain unaffected. The Land governments shall be authorised to regulate allocation within the Land by statutory instrument, insofar as allocation is not regulated by Land law on the basis of this Act; Section 50 (4) of the Asylum Procedure Act shall apply mutatis mutandis. The Land governments may assign the said authorisation to other bodies of the Land. Orders pursuant to sentence 1 shall not be contestable. Any legal actions shall have no suspensory effect. Sentences 7 and 8 shall apply mutatis mutandis, if an allocation order is issued on the basis of a Land law or a statutory instrument pursuant to sentence 5. (5) Following allocation, the competent authorities may permit the foreigner to take up residence in another Land. Following a permitted change of residence, the foreigner shall be deducted from the quota for the Land from which he or she is released and added to the quota for the admitting Land. Page 14 of 108
15 (6) The provisions of sub-sections 1 to 5 shall not apply to persons who verifiably entered the federal territory prior to 1 January Part 3 Residence for educational purposes Section 16 Further education; language courses; school education (1) A foreigner may be granted a residence permit for the purpose of studying at a state or state-recognised university or a comparable educational establishment. Residence for study purposes shall also extend to language courses in preparation for studies and attendance of a preparatory course prior to studying (preparatory measures for courses of study). The residence permit for study purposes may only be issued where the foreigner has been admitted by the educational establishment concerned; conditional admission is sufficient. Proof of a knowledge of the language in which the course of studies is to be conducted shall not be required where the foreigner s knowledge of the language has already been taken into account in the decision on admission or is to be acquired by means of preparatory measures for the course of study. The period of validity when the residence permit for study purposes is issued for the first time and for each subsequent extension shall be at least one year and should not exceed two years during courses of study and preparatory measures for courses of study; it may be extended where the purpose of residence has not yet been achieved and is achievable within a reasonable period of time. (1a) A foreigner may also be issued a residence permit for the purpose of applying to a course of study. The maximum permissible duration of residence for a foreigner applying for a place to study shall be nine months. (2) As a general rule, no residence permit for another purpose of residence shall be granted or extended during the stay in accordance with sub-section 1 or 1a, unless a legal entitlement applies. Section 9 shall not apply. (3) The residence permit shall entitle the holder to take up employment totalling no more than 120 days or 240 half-days per year, and to take up spare-time student employment. This shall not apply in the first year of residence during a stay for the purpose of preparatory measures for a course of study, except during university holidays and in the case of residence pursuant to sub-section 1a. (4) After successful completion of the studies, the residence permit may be extended by up to 18 months for the purpose of seeking a job commensurate with this qualification, provided that foreigners are permitted to fill the vacancy concerned in accordance with the provisions contained in Sections 18, 19, 19a and 21. The residence permit shall entitle the holder to pursue an economic activity in this period. Section 9 shall not apply. (5) A foreigner may be granted a residence permit allowing him or her to attend language courses which do not serve to prepare him or her for a course of study, to take part in a pupil exchange, and, in exceptional cases, to attend school education. Sub-section 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis. (5a) Where such school education pursuant to sub-section 5 serves to acquire vocational qualification, the residence permit shall authorise its holder to work up to 10 hours per week in jobs which need not be related to such vocational qualification. (5b) After successful completion of such vocational qualification, the residence permit may be extended by up to one year for the purposes of seeking a job Page 15 of 108
16 commensurate with this qualification, provided that foreigners are permitted to fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions contained in Sections 18 and 21. The residence permit shall entitle the holder to pursue an economic activity in this period. Section 9 shall not apply. (6) A foreigner to whom another Member State of the European Union has issued a residence title for study purposes which falls within the ambit of Council Directive 2004/114/EC of 13 December 2004 on the conditions of admission of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service (Official EU Journal no. L 375, p. 12) shall be granted a residence permit for the same purpose where he or she 1. wishes to carry out part of his or her studies at an educational establishment in the federal territory because he or she is obliged under the terms of reference for the course of studies to carry out part of his or her studies at an educational establishment of another Member State of the European Union or 2. fulfils the conditions pursuant to sub-section 1 and wishes to continue in the federal territory part of a course of study commenced in another Member State or to supplement such a course of study in the federal territory and a) is participating in an exchange programme between the Member States of the European Union or in an exchange programme of the European Union or b) has been admitted to a course of study for a period of at least two years in the other Member State of the European Union. A foreigner who applies for a residence title pursuant to sentence 1, no. 2 is to submit to the competent authority documentation on his or her academic education to date and on the intended course of studies in Germany which verifies that the studies in the federal territory shall constitute a continuation or supplementation of the studies completed to date. Section 9 is not applicable. (7) Where the foreigner is under 18 years of age, the persons entitled to care and custody of the foreigner must consent to the planned stay. Section 17 Other educational purposes (1) A foreigner may be issued a residence permit for the purpose of basic and advanced industrial training, if the Federal Employment Agency has granted approval in accordance with Section 39 or if a statutory provision in accordance with Section 42 or an inter-governmental agreement stipulates that such basic and advanced vocational training is permissible without approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Any restrictions imposed by the Federal Employment Agency in granting approval are to be specified in the residence permit. Section 16 (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis. (2) Where such training serves to acquire vocational qualification, the residence permit shall authorise its holder to work up to 10 hours per week in jobs which need not be related to such vocational training. (3) After successful completion of such vocational training, the residence permit may be extended by up to one year for the purposes of seeking a job commensurate with this qualification, provided that foreigners are permitted to fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions contained in Sections 18 and 21. The residence permit shall entitle the holder to pursue an economic activity in this period. Section 9 shall not apply. Page 16 of 108
17 Part 4 Residence for the purpose of economic activity Section 18 Employment (1) The admission of foreign employees shall be geared to the requirements of the German economy, according due consideration to the labour market situation and the need to combat unemployment effectively. International treaties shall remain unaffected. (2) A foreigner may be granted a residence title for the purpose of taking up employment if the Federal Employment Agency has granted approval in accordance with Section 39 or if a statutory provision in accordance with Section 42 or an intergovernmental agreement stipulates that such employment may be taken up without approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Any restrictions imposed by the Federal Employment Agency in granting approval are to be specified in the residence title. (3) A residence permit for the purpose of taking up employment pursuant to subsection 2 which does not require a vocational qualification may only be issued if regulated by an inter-governmental agreement or if issuance of approval for a residence permit for the said employment is permissible by virtue of a statutory instrument in accordance with Section 42. (4) A residence title for the purpose of taking up employment pursuant to subsection 2 which requires a vocational qualification may only be issued for employment in an occupational group which has been approved by virtue of a statutory instrument in accordance with Section 42. In justified individual cases, a residence permit may be issued for the purpose of taking up employment when there is a public interest, and in particular a regional interest or an interest relating to the economy or the labour market. (5) A residence title pursuant to sub-section 2, Section 19 or Section 19a may only be granted if a concrete job offer exists and if any legally prescribed professional licence has been granted or promised. (6) The granting or extension of a residence title pursuant to sub-section 2, Section 19 or Section 19a, which does not require approval by the Federal Employment Agency owing to provisions in this Act, in a statutory instrument or an intergovernmental agreement, may be denied if there are grounds that would allow the authorities to deny the necessary approval pursuant to Section 40 (2) no. 3. Section 18a Residence permit for the purpose of employment for qualified foreigners whose deportation has been suspended (1) A foreigner whose deportation has been suspended may be granted a residence permit for the purpose of taking up employment commensurate with his or her vocational qualification if the Federal Employment Agency has granted approval in accordance with Section 39, and the foreigner 1. has, in the federal territory, a) completed a vocational qualification in a state-recognised or similarly regulated occupation which requires formal training or a course of study at a higher education establishment, or Page 17 of 108
18 b) held a position of employment continuously for two years with a foreign higher education qualification which is recognised or otherwise comparable to a German higher education qualification and which is appropriate to that employment, or c) held a position of employment as a skilled worker continuously for three years which requires a vocational qualification and has not been reliant on public funds for his or her livelihood and that of his or her dependants or other members of his or her household within the year preceding the application for the residence permit except for payments to cover the necessary costs for accommodation and heating, and 2. has sufficient living space at his or her disposal, 3. has sufficient command of the German language, 4. has not wilfully deceived the foreigners authority as to circumstances of relevance to his or her situation under residence law, 5. has not wilfully delayed or obstructed official measures to end his or her residence, 6. does not have any links to extremist or terrorist organisations and does not support such organisations and 7. has not been convicted of an offence wilfully committed in the federal territory; fines totalling up to 50 daily rates or up to 90 daily rates in the case of offences which, in accordance with the Residence Act or the Asylum Procedure Act, can only be committed by foreigners shall be ignored as a general principle. (2) The approval of the Federal Employment Agency pursuant to sub-section 1 shall be decided upon without an examination of priority pursuant to Section 39 (2), sentence 1, no. 1. Section 18 (2), sentence 2 and (5) shall apply mutatis mutandis. The residence permit shall entitle the holder to take up any employment after he or she has been in an employed position commensurate with his or her vocational qualification for a period of two years. (3) The residence permit may be granted by way of derogation from Section 5 (2) and Section 10 (3), sentence 1. Section 18b Settlement permit for graduates of German universities A foreigner who has successfully completed his or her studies at a state or staterecognised university or a comparable educational establishment in the federal territory shall be granted a settlement permit, if 1. he or she has held a residence title pursuant to Sections 18, 18a, 19a or 21 for two years, 2. he or she has a job commensurate with his or her degree, 3. he or she has paid compulsory or voluntary contributions into the statutory pension scheme for at least 24 months or furnishes evidence of an entitlement to comparable benefits from an insurance or pension scheme or from an insurance company, and 4. the requirements of Section 9 (2), sentence 1, nos. 2, and 4 to 9 are met; Section 9 (2), sentences 2 to 6 shall apply mutatis mutandis. Section 18c Residence permit for qualified skilled workers seeking employment Page 18 of 108
19 (1) A foreigner with a German or a foreign higher education qualification which is recognised or otherwise comparable to a German higher education qualification and whose subsistence is secure may be granted a residence permit for the purpose of seeking a job commensurate with this qualification for a period of up to six months. The residence permit shall not entitle the holder to pursue an economic activity. (2) The residence permit may not be extended beyond the maximum period mentioned in sub-section 1. A residence permit pursuant to sub-section 1 can only be issued anew if the foreigner, after leaving Germany, stayed abroad for at least as long as he or she stayed in the federal territory on the basis of a residence title pursuant to sub-section 1. Sub-section 1 shall only apply to foreigners already residing in the federal territory if they possessed a residence title for the purpose of employment immediately before they were granted a residence permit pursuant to sub-section 1. Section 19 Settlement permit for highly qualified foreigners (1) A highly qualified foreigner may be granted a settlement permit in special cases if the Federal Employment Agency has granted approval in accordance with Section 39 or if a statutory provision in accordance with Section 42 or an inter-governmental agreement stipulates that the settlement permit may be granted without approval from the Federal Employment Agency in line with Section 39 and there are justifiable grounds to assume that integration into the way of life which prevails in the Federal Republic of Germany and the foreigner's subsistence without state assistance are assured. The Land government may stipulate that issuance of the settlement permit pursuant to sentence 1 requires the approval of the supreme Land authority or a body to be designated by the latter. (2) Highly qualified persons in accordance with sub-section 1 are, in particular, 1. researchers with special technical knowledge or 2. teaching personnel in prominent positions or scientific personnel in prominent positions. Section 19a EU Blue Card (1) A foreigner shall be issued with an EU Blue Card pursuant to Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009 on the conditions of entry and residence of thirdcountry nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment (Official Journal no. L 155 of 18 June 2009, p. 17) to work in line with his qualification, if 1. he a) holds a German or a foreign higher education qualification which is recognised or otherwise comparable to a German higher education qualification or b) - to the extent that this is stipulated by a statutory instrument pursuant to subsection 2 below - if he has a comparable qualification demonstrated by at least five years of professional experience, 2. the Federal Employment Agency has given its approval in line with Section 39 below or if a statutory instrument pursuant to Section 42 below or an intergovernmental agreement stipulate that the EU Blue Card may be issued without the approval of the Federal Employment Agency, and Page 19 of 108
20 3. if he receives a salary equal to or exceeding that stipulated by the statutory instrument under sub-section 2 below. (2) The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs may determine the following by means of statutory instruments: 1. the level of pay pursuant to sub-section 1 no. 3, 2. professions where five years of professional experience demonstrate a qualification comparable to a higher education degree 3. professions where nationals of specific states are to be denied an EU Blue Card, because there is a lack of such qualified workers in the country of origin. Statutory instruments under nos. 1 and 2 shall require the approval of the Bundesrat. The EU Blue Card shall be issued for a maximum period of four years from the date of initial issue. Where the duration of the employment contract is less than four years, the EU Blue Card shall be issued or extended for the period covering the employment contract plus three months. Holders of the EU Blue Card wishing to move to another position within the first two years of employment shall require permission by the foreigners authority; such permission shall be granted if the conditions in sub-section 1 are met. (5) Foreigners 1. who meet the conditions in Section 9a (3) nos. 1 or 2, 2. who have applied for the determination of whether the conditions in Section 60 (5) or (7), sentence 1, or in Section 60a (2), sentence 1 are met, 3. whose entry into a Member State of the European Union is subject to obligations arising from international treaties to facilitate the entry and temporary residence of specific categories of natural persons exercising trade- or investment-related activities, 4. who have been approved as seasonal workers in a Member State of the European Union, 5. whose deportation has been temporarily suspended pursuant to Section 60a, 6. who come under Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (Official Journal no. L 18 of 21 January 1997, p.1), for the duration of posting to Germany, or 7. who, owing to treaties between the European Union and its Member States on the one hand and third countries on the other, enjoy enjoy rights of free movement equivalent to those of Union citizens. shall not be issued with an EU Blue Card. (6) Holders of an EU Blue Card are to be issued with a settlement permit, if they have held a position of employment in line with sub-section 1 for at least 33 months and have made mandatory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme for that period, or if they furnish evidence of an entitlement to comparable benefits from an insurance or pension scheme or from an insurance company and if the requirements of Section 9 (2), sentence 1, nos. 2, 4 to 6, 8 to 9 are met and if they have basic German language skills. Section 9 (2) sentences 2 to 6 shall apply mutatis mutandis. The period referred to in sentence 1 shall be Page 20 of 108