Already in Berlin?

Changing purpose, settlement permit, naturalisation after five years.

If you are in Germany with a Schengen visa or on a short stay, the visa does not turn into a work, training or study permit by itself. Whether a change of purpose inside Germany is possible for Kenyan citizens depends on the case; ask the LEA or a lawyer before you stay on or start to work.

Change of purpose

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

Work while an application is pending

• Entry with a Schengen visa gives no deemed-lawful status when you apply inside Germany (§ 81 (4) S. 2 AufenthG). Kenyans need a visa in advance, so § 81 (3) is of little practical use for you.
• If you apply to extend an existing permit in time, the old permit continues (§ 81 (4) S. 1). By the usual interpretation, an existing work permission continues too; confirm with the LEA.
• § 81 (5a): once the authority has ordered the issue of the new document, you may do the work of the future permit; this is stated in the Fiktionsbescheinigung. § 81.

Settlement permit and naturalisation

• Settlement permit: § 18c and the general rule § 9 AufenthG.
• Naturalisation after 5 years of lawful residence (§ 10 StAG), secure living costs, German B1, knowledge of the legal system. The 3-year fast naturalisation was repealed as of 30 Oct 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256).
• Multiple citizenship has been allowed in Germany since 27 June 2024. Whether Kenya allows you to keep Kenyan citizenship and what the Kenyan side requires: not checked, ask the Kenyan authorities.

If you must leave

Get legal advice early. The 2024 agreement includes a return procedure (Migration agreement). Appeals against a decision: Costs (deadlines).