Residence permit for the purpose of self-employment - Issuance -

• Lawful residence • You are already residing in the federal territory with a residence permit (for example a national D visa or residence permit). A Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay is not sufficient. • Or you are entitled, on the basis of your nationality, to apply for a residence permit after entering the country without a visa. • Either: There is an economic interest of the State of Berlin A residence permit to carry out a self-employed activity can be granted if • there is an economic interest or a regional need, • the activity can be expected to have a positive effect on the economy, and • the financing of its implementation is secured through equity capital or a loan commitment. To review this requirement, the LEA (Landesamt für Einwanderung – State Office for Immigration) generally involves the responsible Industrie- und Handelskammer (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) or Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Skilled Crafts). • Or: You have successfully completed a course of study in the federal territory or work as a skilled professional in research or science In this case, the intended self-employed activity must show a connection to the knowledge acquired during the course of study or to the work in research or science. • Or: You are a skilled professional with a scholarship for founding a company The scholarship was granted from public funds by a German economic organization or a German public body, for example the EXIST-Gründerstipendium (federal business start-up grant) or the Berliner Startup Stipendium. • Adequate provision for old age (only if you have already reached the age of 45) The following applies from 01.07.2025: Looking ahead, upon reaching the age of 67 you must be able to have • either a monthly pension of 1,612.53 euros (for at least 12 years) • or assets of 232,204.00 euros. For nationals of the following countries, proof of provision for old age is waived: Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. • Sufficient health insurance www.berlin.de/einwanderung/_assets/merkblatt_zur_krankenvers You have health insurance in Germany, either through statutory health insurance or through comparable private health insurance. Foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient. For more information, please read the information sheet (Merkblatt). • No grounds for expulsion (Ausweisungsinteresse) • Even fines or an ongoing investigation can prevent the residence permit from being granted. • You do not pose a threat to the free democratic basic order (freiheitliche demokratische Grundordnung) or the security of the Federal Republic of Germany. • In pursuit of political or religious goals, you are not involved in acts of violence, do not publicly call for the use of violence, and do not threaten it either. • Main residence in Berlin A second home or secondary residence in Berlin is not sufficient. • Current email address The Landesamt für Einwanderung (State Office for Immigration) will contact you using your current email address. Please also check your spam folder regularly. • For online applications: consent to the electronic payment procedure. The following payment methods are available to you: • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard) • PayPal

• Application for the grant of a residence permit for self-employed activity • only possible online • You will receive a PDF document confirming your application. This certifies that your current residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) remains valid in the federal territory beyond its previous expiry date. This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay or if your current residence permit had already expired on the day you submitted the application. • Please be sure to save this document and, if possible, also print it out. • If the application is submitted by an authorized representative: power of attorney stating the subject matter of the proceedings • If you already hold a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or another German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) for the federal territory: a copy of your residence permit • Copies of your passport (in colour) • Copies of the following pages of your passport are required: • always: the data pages (with your photo and personal details) • if you have entered the country and are applying for a residence permit for the first time, additionally: entry stamp as well as the visa for entry or the residence permit of another EU state in your passport (if applicable) • Curriculum vitae (CV) with evidence of qualifications and career history • References or letters of funding commitment • For university graduates: university degree (Diplom, Bachelor's, Master's) • For university graduates: statement from the university Statement from the university on the knowledge acquired during your studies and its connection to the business idea. • For skilled professionals in research and science: statement from the previous employer Statement from the previous employer (e.g. a research institution) on the connection between the previous activity and the business idea. • Company profile and detailed business concept • Business plan Tips for preparing your business plan can be found, for example, on the start-up portal of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie – BMWi) (see the "Further information" section). • Financing plan see the "Forms" section • Extract from the commercial register (Handelsregisterauszug) or the notarized registration of the company with the commercial register • If no entry in the commercial register is required: trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) • If you have other income: proof Only if, in addition to your income from self-employment, you have other regular income, for example: assets, maintenance payments, Einstiegsgeld (start-up allowance) under SGB II. • Health insurance • for statutory health insurance: current confirmation from the health insurance provider stating the contribution to be paid • for private health insurance: certificate from the insurer on the scope and cost of the insurance pursuant to Section 257 (2a) SGB V. Please inform your insurer that you need the certificate for a residence permit for employment purposes. • Tenancy agreement or proof of home ownership • Housing costs Proof of monthly rental costs (current bank statement) or costs of the property you live in.

• Financing plan www.berlin.de/einwanderung/_assets/finanzierungsplan.pdf

• 56.00 euros: for issuance of the residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) as a sticker • 100.00 euros: for issuance of the residence permit as an electronic residence permit • 27.60 euros: for Turkish nationals up to the completed age of 24 • 46.00 euros: for Turkish nationals from the completed age of 24 • 6.00 euros (additional): for creating a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site

• Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG), Section 21 (1), (2a) or (2b) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html

A residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) as a sticker can be issued directly on site at the appointment (Termin). If issued as an electronic residence permit (eAT), it takes 4-6 weeks before it can be collected.

• Existenzgründungsportal (business start-up portal) (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) www.existenzgruendungsportal.de/Navigation/DE/So-gehts/Busin • Gründen in Berlin - Die Gründungsbroschüre (Starting a Business in Berlin - the start-up brochure) (Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Berlin, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Berlin) www.ihk-berlin.de/service-und-beratung/existenzgruendung/ori • Apply for a residence permit for freelance activity (service) service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332