Consultation
Review of your situation and an action plan.
€90 / 45 min
Credited when you book the package
- Eligibility and timeline check
- Document list for your case
- Answers to all your questions
Change of permit · Wechsel des Aufenthaltszwecks
Change your German residence permit without losing status
Found a job on the Opportunity Card, living under § 24, finishing your studies or moving to freelancing? We choose the new legal basis, prepare the documents and apply on time, before your current permit expires.
- Without leaving Germany
- Chancenkarte, § 24, studies
- Apply before expiry
Updated: September 17, 2026
Typical situations
- Opportunity Card → § 18a/§ 18b work permit or Blue Card after an offer.
- § 24 → Blue Card or work permit: years on § 24 count towards citizenship.
- Studies or post-study job search → qualified employment.
- Work permit → Blue Card after a pay rise.
- Employment → freelancing under § 21 if your current permit doesn't allow self-employment.
What to check
- Your current permit's expiry date: apply before it runs out.
- Additional conditions in the Zusatzblatt: whether employment or self-employment is allowed.
- Requirements of the new basis: salary, qualification, diploma recognition, language.
- Employer documents: employment contract and the current Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis.
Free: BundID and your residence card's online ID
11 pages · PDF. What BundID is, access levels, PIN, Transport PIN, PUK and CAN, step-by-step registration via AusweisApp, Postfach, common problems and security.
An excellent consultation, both in terms of how complete the information was and the friendly, open atmosphere. We discussed the legal aspects as well as more informal impressions of life in Germany. I got answers to my questions, and it's great that Vlad not only provides consultations but also supports the entire process from start to finish.
Calculator: citizenship application date incl. § 24 and permit changes.
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Change of residence permit package
Choosing the new basis, documents and application to the Ausländerbehörde until the decision
€750
Booked after a consultation
- Review of your current permit and additional conditions (Zusatzblatt)
- Choosing the new basis: Blue Card, Opportunity Card, § 18b, § 21 and others
- Checking the full document package before you file
- Personal checklist and application form
- Submission to the Ausländerbehörde (online via the LEA in Berlin)
- Answers to follow-up requests from the authority
- Chat support until the decision
Final prices, no VAT charged. The decision is made by the Ausländerbehörde.
No mistakes
10 mistakes that lead to follow-up requests or refusals
- 01
Submitting an employment contract without the Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis, or with an old version of the form
Read more → - 02
Invoicing clients as a freelancer while on the Opportunity Card
Read more → - 03
Writing a generic motivation letter for the Chancenkarte
Read more → - 04
Booking through the wrong channel: portal, embassy or visa centre
Read more → - 05
Buying travel insurance that doesn't cover a long-term stay
Read more → - 06
Translating documents without certification by a notary or sworn translator
Read more → - 07
Not checking your degree in Anabin or getting a ZAB evaluation in time
Read more → - 08
Entering on a Schengen visa hoping to get a residence permit locally
Read more → - 09
Missing the deadline to extend or change your residence permit
Read more → - 10
Applying for citizenship while still on § 24
Read more →
FAQ
Can I change my permit without leaving Germany?
In many cases, yes: for example from the Opportunity Card to a work permit or Blue Card. It depends on your current and new basis; we check your case.
Can I work while the change is pending?
It depends on the conditions of your current permit and the Fiktionsbescheinigung. Don't start a new job or freelancing before it's allowed; see our article on the Opportunity Card and freelancing.
What if my permit expires before the decision?
If you apply on time, the authority issues a Fiktionsbescheinigung and your current status continues until the decision.
How much does it cost?
The change of permit package is €750. The €90 consultation is credited towards the package.
Related reading
Opportunity Card and freelancing: a mistake that causes trouble with the immigration office
With the Opportunity Card you may only work as an employee. You can't invoice clients as a freelancer if your visa says “Selbständige Tätigkeit nicht erlaubt”. A case and what to do.
Read →
§ 24 AufenthG and German citizenship: do years under temporary protection count?
Years lived in Germany under § 24 AufenthG count towards the five-year residence period for naturalisation, but you can't apply for citizenship while still on § 24. Here's a route that works.
Read →
Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis: the work visa document people often forget
For most German work visas and residence permits an employment contract isn't enough: the employer also completes the Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis. What goes into it and where to get the current EzB 02/2024 form.
Read →