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Working while an application is pending, changing purpose, naturalisation after five years.

While an application is pending (§ 81)

• After a stay on a short-stay visa, the stay is not treated as lawful by fiction (§ 81 (4) S. 2). With a timely application to extend a permit (§ 81 (4)), the previous permit continues, including its permission to work; only the fiction of § 81 (3) gives no permission to work.
• Work is allowed only under § 81 (5a): from when the permit document is ordered until it is issued, for future permits under Chapter 2, Part 3 or 4, only the employment described in the future permit, noted on the Fiktionsbescheinigung. Get advice before you start a job.

Change of purpose

Switching from, for example, student to employee needs a new application before your permit ends (fee €98, § 45 AufenthV). See Study, Skilled worker.

Naturalisation

• Regular naturalisation after 5 years of lawful residence (§ 10 StAG) with secure living costs, German at B1, knowledge of the legal system and no serious convictions. The three-year fast naturalisation was repealed as of 30 Oct 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256; asyl.net).
• Multiple citizenship has been allowed in Germany since 27 June 2024. Reported only via secondary sources: under the Cameroonian Nationality Code (Law 1968-LF-3, art. 31) a Cameroonian who voluntarily acquires another nationality loses Cameroonian nationality. Not confirmed from a primary source; ask the Cameroonian authorities before you apply.

Benefits

The Bürgergeld was replaced by the Grundsicherungsgeld on 1 July 2026. Claiming benefits can affect residence and naturalisation. Ask an adviser first.

Without a valid permit? Get legal advice quickly; do not pay agents.