During the asylum procedure

The residence permit or proof of arrival is sufficient to identify yourself to the authorities or police. If you have a home country passport, you must return it to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

If your asylum decision is positive, you will usually receive your passport back as soon as it has been handed over to the immigration authority by the BAMF. It will then remain valid in conjunction with your residence permit.

In exceptional cases, your home country passport will be retained if it was issued by an authority that is not recognized as authorized in Germany.

This applies to passports issued, for example, in Syria or Iraq in cities that were demonstrably in the hands of the IS during the date of issue.

During the asylum procedure, you are obliged to clarify your identity, but not to visit the embassy of your home country.

In general, you cannot be required to visit the embassy as long as you only have a residence permit.

You are not entitled to a German or integration course for the duration of the asylum procedure.

However, if you come from a country with a high recognition rate, you can submit a written application to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in order to be admitted to an integration course.

After the initial reception center, you will be accommodated in shared or collective accommodation or even in apartments within the federal state, depending on capacity and your individual situation.

You will be subject to a residence requirement until a decision is made on your asylum application. You are not allowed to leave the living area noted in your residence permit without penalty.

The costs of your accommodation will be covered as part of the benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, in Jena by the Social Services Department.

During the procedure, you may not take up work, training or studies for the first 3 months. You can find more detailed information on the conditions after this period in the relevant section of this website.

With your residence permit, you are not a regular member of a health insurance fund, but you will receive all necessary medical services, check-ups and vaccinations.

In most federal states, including Thuringia, you will now receive an electronic health card for refugees. You can use the health card to contact a doctor directly.

If you already have a job that is subject to social insurance contributions, you will become a regular member of a health insurance fund through your compulsory contributions, even if you also receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

You will receive a health insurance card and all statutory health insurance benefits.

General information on family reunification and reunification with a family member who is living in Germany with a residence permit can be found in the Family section.

As an asylum seeker, you will receive what you need for everyday life. Your care is regulated by the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act.

You are generally obliged to comply with the provisions associated with the residence permit and to comply with requests for assistance.

You must report any changes in your personal circumstances to all relevant authorities immediately. If you fail to do so, any benefits you have wrongly received will be reclaimed from you and current benefits may be reduced.

In addition, you must comply with the same obligations as all other German residents.