If you are granted a right to asylum or protection as a refugee, the immigration authorities will issue a residence permit ("Aufenthaltserlaubnis") valid for three years. After three years you may be issued with a permanent residence permit ("Niederlassungserlaubnis") if your eligibility criteria still apply, you can support yourself and you have sufficient knowledge of the German language.

Revocation or withdrawal of the positive decision may still take place at a later date if the prerequisites for this apply. The decision on this is taken at the discretion of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Recognised refugees and persons with a right to asylum are, as a rule, entitled to the same social welfare benefits ("Sozialleistungen") as German nationals. You will also have unlimited access to the labour market. In addition, you are also entitled to attend integration courses.

If you are granted subsidiary protection, you will receive a residence permit valid for a period of one year. This residence permit ("Aufenthaltserlaubnis") may be extended by a further two years by the immigration authorities. You can apply for a permanent resident permit after five years if you can support yourself and you have sufficient knowledge of the German language.

You will be issued with a residence permit valid for a period of at least one year if it has been found that the principle of non-refoulement (legal prohibition of deportation) applies to you. You can apply for a permanent resident permit after five years if you can support yourself and you have sufficient knowledge of the German language.