Already in Berlin?

Changing your status, staying long term, citizenship and free help.

This page is short and general. If you are already in Germany and your situation is about protection from persecution, that is a separate subject that this guide does not cover. Ask a free counselling service (below).

If you are here and something changed

• Studies finished: § 20 AufenthG gives you up to 18 months to look for a job matching your degree. You may work without restriction during that time.
• Job lost: talk to LEA before your permit expires, not after.
• Training place lost through no fault of your own: up to 6 months to find a new one, see Ausbildung.
• Switching route, for example from Opportunity Card to a skilled-worker permit: normally done at LEA from inside Germany.
• Out of money: since 1 July 2026 the Grundsicherungsgeld replaces the Bürgergeld. Claiming it can affect your residence permit, so take advice first.

Staying long term

• Settlement permit: skilled workers (§§ 18a, 18b) after 3 years with German at B1 and 36 months of pension contributions, or after 2 years and 24 months if you completed training or studies in Germany (§ 18c (1)); Blue Card holders after 27 months, or 21 months with German at B1 (§ 18c (2)).
• German citizenship: § 10 StAG after 5 years. The 3-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025. Multiple citizenship has been allowed since 27 June 2024. Whether Iran recognises a second citizenship, or lets you give up Iranian citizenship, is not confirmed.

Free help in Berlin

• Willkommenszentrum Berlin: general orientation, several languages.
• MBE: free advice for adult migrants.
• BEMA (Beratungsstelle für Migration und Gute Arbeit): free advice on employment rights. Go here if you are paid less than agreed, work unpaid hours, or your employer keeps your passport.