Report the loss of your residence permit
Report the loss of a residence permit (temporary or permanent) to the Office of Immigration and Naturalization so that it can be blocked and a replacement issued.
How to proceed
- 1
Report the loss immediately to the Immigration Office
If necessary, file a police report as well.
- 2
Request a replacement
With a passport photo and proof of identity.
- 3
Receive a replacement residence permit
The agency revokes the old document and issues a new one.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
Fees
Varies by case
Processing time
5 days
Official: max. approx. 1 weeks
Online application
In person or by post
Common mistakes
- • Loss not reported immediately
- • The theft was not reported to the police
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Foreign nationals with a residence permit who have lost their document or had it stolen.
Income limit
The limit varies by household and region – see the table at the responsible authority or in the application assistant.
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. 5 days
Success rate
approx. 99.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Loss not reported immediately
- •The theft was not reported to the police
Common reasons for rejection
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.