Giving your fingerprints and collecting your residence card in Germany

From the fingerprint visit to the day the chip card is in your hands

A residence permit in Germany comes as a chip card, the elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel or eAT. When you apply at the Ausländerbehörde, the immigration or foreigners’ office, staff take your fingerprints and photo for the chip. The card is produced centrally, and you then collect it in person or receive it by post, depending on the office. Students from outside the EU use the same office.

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How it works

Give biometrics or collect a residence card

Book the appointment for fingerprints, a photo or collecting your residence card.

After you apply for a residence permit, or once it is approved, you may need a separate appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken or to collect your card. Follow the instructions in your letter or e-mail, as the location can differ from the office that handled your application. Bring your passport, the letter or appointment confirmation and, if requested, proof that you paid the fee. Your card is usually ready a few weeks after the biometrics appointment.

Also searched as

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At a glance

Offices
49 offices in 38 cities
Book online
At 14 of 49 offices
Apply online
At 2 of 49 offices
Offices for specific groups
  • For international students: 1 office

Invitation, appointment or counter: it depends on the office

Immigration offices that handle your residence card

In Berlin it is the Landesamt für Einwanderung, in Bremen the Migrationsamt, elsewhere an Ausländeramt or Ausländerbüro. The name changes, and so does the routine, from invitation letters for fingerprints to cards that are posted or collected at a counter.

Immigration offices

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Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

Offices for fingerprints and card collection in Germany

Immigration offices differ on whether you need an invitation, an appointment or a reference number, so look at the one that serves your city.

Residence card collection offices in Germany

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