2. Application for an electronic residence permit (eAT) with or without eID function

An application for an electronic residence permit (elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel, eAT), which is issued in card format and includes biometric information (finger prints, body height and eye colour), cannot be processed by the Visa Service. This application must be made in person at the Foreigners' Registration Office. In most cases at this time, residence permits are issued in the form of an adhesive label in your passport, and the electronic residence permit must be explicitly requested. We recommend therefore, that you arrange an appointment online in good time ► eAppointment.

The following documents need to be submitted:

• Passport
• 1 current biometric passport photo, further information
• Registration at the Local Registration Office of the Berlin boroughs (Bürgeramt). The registration form (Anmeldung bei der Meldebehörde) is available online as a PDF
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of sufficient financial resources, for example a work contract, scholarship certificate or surety (Bürgschaft)
• Application for a residence permit. The form can be found online in PDF format in German, English, French, Italian and German, Greek, Turkish, Serbian and German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian. The form must be filled legibly
• Marriage certificate and birth certificate(s), if applicable, of accompanying spouse and children (copy)
• Documentation of enrollment (Schulbescheinigung), if applicable, of school-aged children

It may take up to 6-8 weeks to receive your residence permit. The costs can amount to 110 Euro.

Should the eAT need to be extended, the application process will have to be repeated as the biometric information is not saved at the Foreigners' Registration Office. This is also the case should a lost visa card need to be replaced.

More information about the eAT can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge).