“Duldung” (Exceptional Leave to Remain)

If you do not have a right to reside in Germany and are obliged to leave the country, there may still be reasons why you should be issued with a “Duldung” (Exceptional Leave to Remain). This means that although you are obliged to leave the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, deportation to your home country is currently suspended. There may be different reasons for this, such as family ties.

If you are in possession of an Exceptional Leave to Remain, a personal appointment is required to extend this. During your initial appointment regarding the Exceptional Leave to Remain, a follow-up appointment will be arranged with you for this purpose. If you have lost your appointment confirmation, please contact us by phone or email.

Your Exceptional Leave to Remain document specifies whether you have to be resident in Münster and whether and to what extent you are allowed to work. Self-employment is not possible with an Exceptional Leave to Remain.

If you have integrated into German life and culture in a sustainable manner, you can find further information on residence prospects here:

• Residence permit for the sustainable integration of adults
• Residence permit for the sustainable integration of young people and adolescents

If no grounds for an Exceptional Leave to Remain exist and you are not willing to leave Germany for your home country, the foreign nationals office is legally obliged to deport you. Contact the foreign nationals office to avoid deportation and discuss your situation in terms of the law concerning foreigners, including residence prospects, a return to your home country and possible options for re-entry into Germany.

If you would like to leave Germany voluntarily, you can find more information under Voluntary Departure.