Updated on April 27, 2026
Apply for Residence Permit for Holders of Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht
Do you have an Opportunity Right of Residence? This is how you secure the transition to a permanent residence permit.
At a glance
How do you obtain a residence permit as a holder of an Opportunity Right of Residence?
Do you hold an Opportunity Residence Permit (Chancen-Aufenthaltserlaubnis) under § 104c of the Residence Act and want to take the next steps towards permanent lawful residence? Then you can apply for a residence permit under § 25a or § 25b of the Residence Act.
The Opportunity Residence Permit itself cannot be extended. However, if you are a well-integrated youth or young adult, or a sustainably integrated adult foreigner, you can apply for a residence permit under § 25a or § 25b of the Residence Act.
Important: If you apply for a residence permit under § 25a or § 25b of the Residence Act and your Opportunity Residence Permit is still valid at the time of application, your Opportunity Residence Permit will be considered as continuing until the decision on your application. This also applies to the ancillary provisions, in particular your right to work or to undertake training.
This is how the procedure works: Submit the online application "Residence permit for holders of an Opportunity Right of Residence". Submit only one application for yourself, your spouse or partner, and the minor children living with you in the same household who also hold a residence permit under § 104c of the Residence Act.
Have your documents ready, ideally as PDFs. You can also photograph and upload them during the application process. Permitted formats are PDF, JPG, JPEG, and PNG. A single file may be at most 7 MB, all files together at most 100 MB.
At the end, you will receive a PDF confirmation. This certifies that your stay continues to be permitted and that you are allowed to take up gainful employment. The confirmation is only valid in connection with your residence title under § 104c of the Residence Act. Be sure to save it and print it out if possible.
The State Office for Immigration (LEA) will then contact you as soon as possible. You will either receive an appointment for a personal interview or be asked to submit additional documents. Due to the very high number of applications, it may take some time before you receive a response. Please refrain from inquiries during this time. Online application ensures faster matching of your application to your file.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can obtain the residence permit if you hold a residence permit under § 104c of the Residence Act and have submitted the online application for a residence permit under § 25a or § 25b of the Residence Act for holders of an Opportunity Right of Residence.
Additional requirements
- Your identity must be clarified and you must hold a valid passport or passport substitute, for example a Document de Voyage.
- Your livelihood must be secured or will be secured in the future. Alternatively, you are currently undertaking school-based or vocational training or university studies.
- You must commit to the free democratic basic order of the Federal Republic of Germany and have basic knowledge of the legal and social order and the way of life in Germany.
- You need adequate oral German language skills at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- You must have your main residence in Berlin.
- You need a current email address, as the LEA will contact you via email. Also check your spam folder regularly.
How to apply
Submit the online application "Residence permit for holders of an Opportunity Right of Residence" – one application for yourself, your spouse or partner, and the minor children living with you
Have your documents ready as PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG and upload them in the application: residence permit, valid passport, rental contract, and depending on your life situation, proof of employment, training, social benefits, or integration
Submit your application and save the PDF confirmation. Print it if possible
Wait for the response from the State Office for Immigration. Due to the high number of applications, this may take some time – please refrain from inquiries during this period
Submit additional documents if requested
Attend the personal interview appointment and bring all required documents, including a biometric photo, registration confirmation, and your application and appointment confirmations
Done! If your application is reviewed positively, you will receive your residence permit under § 25a or § 25b of the Residence Act
Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more
Issuance of the residence permit – adults
- Issuance of the residence permit – children and youth50,00 EUR
- Travel document for foreigners aged 24 and over100,00 EUR
- Travel document for foreigners up to age 2497,00 EUR
- Digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site6,00 EUR
Exemptions
- Upon presentation of current proof of receipt of benefits under SGB II or XII – only for the residence permit, not for the travel document
Good to know
Do you have a residence permit under Section 104c? Then your prior periods with toleration status (Duldung) are credited. This also applies to periods before the Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht (opportunity residence right).
werden Vorduldungszeiten von Inhabern einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 104c angerechnet
VAB A.25a/A.25b/A.104c, S. 332-641
With the new residence permit under Section 25a, you are allowed to work. You do not need an additional permit for this.
Die Aufenthaltserlaubnis berechtigt zur Erwerbstätigkeit, vgl. § 4a Abs. 1 S. 1
VAB A.25a/A.25b/A.104c, S. 332-641
Did you receive your residence title through Section 25a paragraph 2? Then family reunification is excluded for you. This applies under Section 29 paragraph 3 sentence 3.
Bei Personen, die einen Titel nach § 25a Abs. 2 besitzen, ist der Familiennachzug gemäß § 29 Abs. 3 Satz 3 ausgeschlossen.
VAB A.25a/A.25b/A.104c, S. 332-641
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Apply for Residence Permit for Holders of Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht
Due to the very high number of applications, processing may take some time. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an appointment.
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