I was located in Hessen at the time of NE, now i am in Bayern.
I was a frequent visitor of ABH before i got NE -
however i always tried to talk
to the head of the department there, which normally knows about the law well.The normal Beamters disappointed me most of the time. -
I think everybody should examine his/her situation very well in well advance and plan
about the different options.
i went to ABH for NE in the first week of Jan-05 when i had still 9 months -
to
complete my 5 yrs. the lady refused my application just by saying "there are still
three quarters to go for getting NE"... At that time it wasnt yet clear if an unlimited work contract is the most important thing in getting NE!
However inbetween I was discussing with many lawyers about my case because I had a limited contract ending on the same day when I would have
Completed my 5 yrs. In DE. The result of all those discussions was that: "I always knew more then the lawyer about the details of the new Ausländerrecht …" which made me quite upset because when a lawyers doesn’t know about the law details how he can handle your case.
However I got an appointment with the Abteilungsleiter of such visa concerns in ABH (Hessen). He was very nice and even came himself to pick me from the waiting area. I discussed with him every detail and all scenarios related to my case, e.g. if my employer doesn’t extend my contract, if he gives me only 6 months / 1 yr extension and and and…..
Everytime he opened a book of new law and told me the exact interpretation of the new law for these scenarios. Just to make it concise:
5 yrs. In DE+unlimited Work Contract = NE
5 yrs. In DE+1 yrs. Contract = 3 yrs. Visa
5 yrs. In DE + no further contract/work = A visa extension of about 18 for which you have right of getting ALG.
However he said ABH will give the best possible in case I couldn’t arrnange an unlimited contract until that and I will get NE at the same time if I I happen to arrange an unlimited work contract.
However the best thing I did was to apply for "Beschäftigung Erlaubt" which I got 5 months before getting NE in Okt.05. The requirement of BE is: if you have worked 3 years in DE or stayed legally for 4 years in DE. The "BE" opened my ways because now employers were more interested because I had unlimited working permission. I applied 3 months before completing 5 yrs. However ABH took only the filled "NE Form" from me and asked me to come on 01.okt05 with pass, unlimited contract, pay slips, photos etc. They didn’t care of probezeit etc… but asked me to show a pay slip from my new employer. I joined the new employer a month before completing 5 yrs.So I could show a pay slip+2 pay slips from old employer. I think however that some ABH asks you that you first complete your probezeit. In Hessen it wasnt the case.
My impression is if you have children they will be more generous, I had no kid at that time though -
-MH