Step 1: Registering with the registration office

If you are staying for more than three months, you must register with the registration office at your address no later than two weeks after your arrival. Registration takes place at the Service Centre of the Residents' Registration Office of the City of Wuppertal. IMPORTANT: Processing is only possible with an appointment (step-by-step instructions for making an appointment online can be found in the Download Centre on the right). Click here to make an appointment

Address of the Wuppertal Residents' Registration Office

Steinweg 20, 42275 Wuppertal
(suspension railway stop "Alter Markt" in Wuppertal Barmen)

If you live in another city, you must register with the residents' registration office there. You or a representative authorised by you must register in person. There are no fees for the registration.

The following documents must be presented at the time of registration

• Valid passport/passport
• Certificate of residence

Step 2: Applying for/extending a residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office

Anyone coming to Germany needs a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute. Non-EU citizens also need a valid residence title such as a visa or residence permit.

After registering with the Residents' Registration Office (see point 1), you must apply for a issue or extension of the residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office of the city in which you are resident.

IMPORTANT: In Wuppertal, it is currently not possible to make an on-site appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. The Foreigners' Registration Office has been very understaffed for some time, which is why it usually takes several months to process the documents. For this reason, it is advisable to submit your documents for the application/extension of your residence permit online via the Integration Portal of the Foreigners' Registration Office as early as possible. There is a scanner in the foyer of the Foreigners' Registration Office that you can use if you do not have the possibility to scan documents yourself. The information on the Integration Portal website is available in 16 languages. Click on the button with the globe to display the languages.

You can also send your documents (copies) to the Foreigners' Registration Office by post. It is best to send them by registered mail with confirmation of delivery so that you can ensure that your documents have arrived. You can find more information on this here. Please also enclose a short letter with your documents in which you briefly describe your situation.

As soon as you have submitted your application together with all the necessary documents, your application is deemed to have been submitted and your residence is secured for the time being until you receive confirmation or a fictitious certificate from the foreigners authority. 

EU citizens

Citizens of the European Union (EU citizens) and the European Economic Area (EEA) who are entitled to freedom of movement do not need a residence permit to stay in Germany. An overview of who is entitled to freedom of movement can be found here.