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Residence Permit Renewal and Passport Expiration in Germany: real experience from chats

Short answer
Renewing a Russian passport via the consulate in Germany can take up to 1.5 years, often threatening the validity of your German residence permit. You should apply for a Fiktionsbescheinigung from the Ausländerbehörde to maintain legal status and work authorization while waiting. It is highly recommended to proactively obtain a second passport to mitigate these travel and documentation risks.

From real experience

When a Russian passport is expiring while residing in Germany, renewing it through the Russian consulate in Germany can take anywhere from weeks to 1.5 years due to the slow consular mail service to Moscow and back.
A temporary residence permit (VNJ) or Fiktionsbescheinigung (fictional certificate) is typically tied to a valid passport. If the passport expires, the VNJ may become invalid, and a Fiktionsbescheinigung will also expire with the old passport. Obtaining a Passersatz (passport substitute) is difficult and usually requires being stateless or having compelling reasons preventing passport renewal from the home country. It might be faster to travel to Russia for renewal, but this carries risks if the current German residence permit is close to expiry. The German Foreigners' Office (ABH) usually requires a valid passport to issue a new residence card. Legal consultation can be expensive (e.g., 440 EUR/hour in 2024 for an immigration lawyer, or 230 EUR/hour for other legal issues).
✓ 1 report from chats
Renewing a German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) due to an expired passport can involve significant waiting times.
Applications submitted online to the relevant authority (KVR - Kreisverwaltungsreferat in Munich, or similar local offices) may take several months to process. While some individuals report receiving responses within a week, others experience delays of three months or more. It is advisable to submit the application well in advance of the expiration date and to follow up with the authorities if no response is received within a reasonable period.
✓ 1 report from chats
If your residence permit (VWP) and passport expire simultaneously in September, and you have an appointment at the Bürgerbüro on July 14th but no available appointments for a new passport, inform the Ausländerbehörde (ABS) in advance.
They might issue a Fiktionsbescheinigung (provisional document) to allow continued legal stay and employment while awaiting the new passport. Expedited processing or applying for a second passport abroad might be options.
✓ 1 report from chats
If your German residence permit and passport are expiring soon, and obtaining a new passport appointment is difficult, consider applying for a Fiktionsbescheinigung (provisional document) from the relevant authority (Ausländerbehörde).
This document can temporarily extend your legal stay and allow you to continue working. It is also advisable to apply for a second passport abroad if possible, as it is a common practice ('must-have') for individuals residing overseas.
✓ 1 report from chats

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