Germany: Current information on unlimited residence permits issued to individuals who have resided in Germany for more than five years, and on whether holders of such permits are allowed to exit and re-enter Germany without losing the rights associated with this permit; and on the steps and procedures to regain the unlimited residence permit if it is revoked upon exit
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DEU25789.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Germany: Current information on unlimited residence permits issued to individuals who have resided in Germany for more than five years, and on whether holders of such permits are allowed to exit and re-enter Germany without losing the rights associated with this permit; and on the steps and procedures to regain the unlimited residence permit if it is revoked upon exit, 1 January 1997, DEU25789.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab5f18.html [accessed 17 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided in a 23 December 1996 telephone interview with an official of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa.
The unlimited residence permit (aufenthaltsberechtigung) is issued to foreigners who meet its requirements and conditions and have lived in Germany for more than five years. A holder of the unlimited residence permit is allowed to exit and re-enter the country without losing the unlimited residence permit, provided s/he is not outside Germany for longer than six months, and provided that his/her passport is still valid. If, however, the holder of the unlimited residence permit takes up permanent residence in another country, his/her German unlimited residence permit becomes invalid, even if s/he is outside of Germany for less than six months.
If a holder of an unlimited residence permit exits Germany for longer than six months, his/her unlimited residence permit becomes invalid and, upon re-entering Germany, s/he must go through the normal visa or immigration procedures as though s/he had never lived in Germany and held an unlimited residence permit.
Exceptions to these rules are made in certain circumstances. For instance, if a holder of the unlimited residence permit is sent abroad for work purposes for a period of longer than six months, his/her unlimited residence permit remains valid upon re-entering Germany provided that s/he had written permission from the Office for Foreigners (Ausländeramt) to remain outside the country for business for that length of time. An exception is also made for personal reasons, such as performing military service in another country, although written permission from the appropriate authorities must again be obtained before leaving Germany.
Additional information on this subject can be obtained from the Act Concerning the Entry and Residence of Aliens in the Territory of the Federal Republic (Aliens Act) of Germany, which entered into force on 1 January 1991. The Aliens Act of 1991 can be accessed on SHARENET, in UNHCR's RefWorld Legal section for Germany.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ottawa. 23 December 1996. Telephone interview with an official.
