§ 31 Abs. 2 AufenthG: Dringend

Question

I came to Germany on a family reunification visa and have experienced ongoing domestic violence since then. My husband has been physically, emotionally, sexually, and financially abusive. I have filed two police complaints, there are two house bans issued against him, and I have medical and psychiatric records proving severe psychological harm, including a stay in a psychiatric clinic. He recently moved out and his lawyer has filed for separation without informing or in my vulnerable psychological and recently diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis state, neglecting his husbands responsibilities. My lawyer has requested Trennungsunterhalt and return of house keys. I currently have a Fiktionsbescheinigung valid until July 2025. I am trying to support myself with a small commission-based job and have also applied for legal aid to file a domestic violence case.
Can I still apply for a residence permit under § 31 Abs. 2 AufenthG even though my stay lasted less than 3 years, and what documents do I need to submit?

Ich bin mit einem Visum zum Familiennachzug nach Deutschland gekommen und habe seitdem anhaltende häusliche Gewalt erlebt. Mein Ehemann war physisch, emotional, sexuell und finanziell übergriffig. Ich habe zwei Strafanzeigen gestellt, es wurden zwei Wohnungsverweise gegen ihn ausgesprochen, und ich habe medizinische und psychiatrische Unterlagen, die schwere psychische Belastungen belegen, einschließlich eines Aufenthalts in einer psychiatrischen Klinik. Er ist kürzlich ausgezogen, und sein Anwalt hat die Trennung eingereicht ohne ihn zu informieren oder in meinem anfälligen psychischen Zustand und in dem kürzlich rheumatoide Arthritis diagnostiziert wurde, vernachlässigte er die Pflichten seines Mannes.. Mein Anwalt hat Trennungsunterhalt sowie die Rückgabe der Wohnungsschlüssel beantragt. Derzeit habe ich eine Fiktionsbescheinigung, die bis Juli 2025 gültig ist. Ich versuche, mich mit einem kleinen provisionsbasierten Job selbst zu unterstützen und habe zudem Prozesskostenhilfe für ein Verfahren wegen häuslicher Gewalt beantragt.
 

Kann ich trotz einer Aufenthaltsdauer von weniger als drei Jahren dennoch einen Aufenthaltstitel nach § 31 Abs. 2 AufenthG beantragen, und welche Unterlagen muss ich dafür einreichen?

Answer 1

Hi @Daisy

I’m sorry to read what you have experienced.  

Yes, you can apply for the permit under §31 Abs. 2 AufenthG. That part of the law is specifically for cases where the marriage has been for less than three years. For people who have been in a married relationship for over three years, the first section of paragraph 31 applies. 

Section two creates an option for hardship cases (in German ‘Härtefall’). The text states that such a hardship is particularly clear in the case of domestic violence. It does not, however, specify what documents must be supplied to prove this. Based on what you have written, you can submit your own statement as part of the application, medical reports relating to the domestic violence and its consequences, the police complaints and house bans.  

It is good you have a lawyer and are seeking further legal advice. I presume you have a lawyer for family law and are looking for legal aid for criminal law. You can also apply for legal aid to speak with an immigration lawyer on how best to prepare an application for a residence permit according to paragraph 31, section 2. 

If you feel you need additional support aside from legal advice, it may be worthwhile contacting the organisation ‘Weißer Ring’. They assist individuals who have experienced domestic violence. Among other things, in some cases they can provide some financial support. Here you can read more about them: 

https://weisser--ring-de.translate.goog/haeuslichegewalt?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp 

If the commission-based job is not enough to support yourself, you can apply for the social welfare benefits Bürgergeld from the Jobcenter or Wohngeld from the Sozialamt. Getting these benefits does not affect you getting a resident permit independent of your husband. 

Best, 

Éanna