What to do when your residence permit application is delayed

Who this guide is for

• People whose residence permit application has been pending longer than expected.
• People whose current title is close to expiry while a decision is still outstanding.
• Anyone renewing a permit who has not received a response after their appointment.

What you need

• Your submission confirmation, appointment record or receipt with a date.
• Any reference number given by the authority.
• Your current passport and residence title, if still valid.
• Contact details for the specific Ausländerbehörde caseworker or office handling your file.

Step-by-step process

1. 01

   Gather your evidence of submission

   Locate the date-stamped confirmation, appointment record, email or postal receipt showing when you applied. This is the basis for any claim that your application was filed on time, which matters for your status under § 81 AufenthG.

2. 02

   Check what a reasonable wait looks like for your case

   Processing time is not fixed by law and varies significantly by office, permit type and current caseload. There is no single benchmark that applies everywhere, so avoid assuming your case is unusually slow based on someone else's experience in a different city.

3. 03

   Send a written status request

   Contact the office in writing — by email or the contact channel they specify — referencing your application date and reference number, and ask for a status update. A written request creates a record, unlike a phone call.

4. 04

   Watch your current title's expiry date closely

   If your existing visa or permit is approaching its expiry while the decision is pending, this is the most time-sensitive part of a delay. Confirm with the office, in writing, that your application was filed before expiry and ask what documentation of your current status they can provide.

5. 05

   Ask explicitly about a Fiktionsbescheinigung

   If your title is close to or past expiry and no decision has been made, ask whether a Fiktionsbescheinigung will be issued in your case. Read our guide on the Fiktionsbescheinigung to understand what it can and cannot confirm about work and travel.

6. 06

   Tell your employer if relevant

   If your right to work depends on your residence status, keep your employer informed with the documentation you have — the submission confirmation and any provisional certificate — so they understand your situation is being processed rather than unresolved.

7. 07

   Consider legal advice if the delay is serious

   If your title has already expired, if you are getting no response to written requests, or if the situation affects your ability to work or travel, qualified legal support may be appropriate. This is a case where general guidance has limits.

Documents checklist

• Submission confirmation, appointment record or postal receipt with a date
• Any reference or case number issued by the authority
• Current or most recent residence title and passport
• Copies of any written correspondence with the Ausländerbehörde
• Fiktionsbescheinigung, if one has been issued
• Employment contract, if relevant to explaining your situation to an employer

Common mistakes

• Not keeping any dated proof of when the application was submitted.
• Only following up by phone, leaving no written record of the request.
• Assuming a delay automatically means the application was refused or lost.
• Waiting past the current title's expiry date without contacting the office first.
• Not asking specifically about a Fiktionsbescheinigung once the expiry date is close.
• Comparing processing time to a friend's case in a different city or with a different permit type.
• Delaying legal advice until the situation has already become urgent.

What happens next

• The office may respond with a status update, a request for more documents, or a decision.
• If your title is near or past expiry, the office may issue a Fiktionsbescheinigung documenting your interim status.
• If no clear answer is given after a reasonable follow-up, a further written request or legal advice may be the next step.
• Once a decision is made, you receive your residence title or are informed of the outcome and any next steps.
• Keep every document from the delay period, since it may matter for future applications or renewals.

How Burokrat helps

Frequently asked questions

How long is too long to wait for a residence permit decision?

There is no fixed benchmark — processing time varies by office, permit type and caseload. If you are concerned, a written status request to the responsible Ausländerbehörde is a reasonable next step regardless of how long you have waited.

Should I call or write to ask about my delayed application?

A written request, by email or the channel the office specifies, creates a record of your follow-up. A phone call can be useful too, but should ideally be followed up in writing.

What if my visa or permit expires while I'm waiting?

If you applied before it expired, your stay is generally treated as continuing lawfully under § 81 AufenthG. Ask the office in writing to confirm your status and whether they will issue a Fiktionsbescheinigung.

Can I keep working while my application is delayed?

This depends on your case and on any provisional certificate you hold. Confirm explicitly with the issuing authority rather than assuming your previous work rights continue automatically.

When should I get a lawyer involved?

If your title has already expired, you are getting no response to written requests, or the delay is affecting your work or travel, qualified legal support may be appropriate.

Does Burokrat contact the Ausländerbehörde on my behalf?

No. Burokrat helps you organise your documents and reminders, but does not contact authorities, submit applications or provide legal representation.

Official sources

• Gesetze im Internet: § 81 AufenthG
• Make it in Germany: applying for a visa and residence permit

Related guides

Browse every guide in the bureaucracy guide hub, or go back to the Burokrat homepage.