Schleswig-Holstein, Berlin, Hamburg, und Brandenburg extend state acceptance programs until the end of 2018
The acceptance regulation published on December 14, 2017 from the Ministry of the Interior, Agrarian Land and Integration in Schleswig-Holstein plans to provide visa applications for those wanting to resettle until December 31. The request forms must be placed with the appropriate German foreign agency. Those eligible include Syrian citizens who reside in a neighboring country and have relatives with German or Syrian citizenship who have their Primary domicile in Schleswig-Holstein. More information can be found in the acceptance regulation.
The previous end date of the regulation in Berlin (December 31, 2017) has been extended for one year by the Ministry of the Interior and Sport on December 12, 2017. In Berlin as well, those applying for visas (regardless of the timeframe of the acceptance of Data by the Berlin foreign office) should place their requests until December 31, 2018 with the responsible German agency abroad. In contrast to Schleswig-Holstein, the policy is also valid for Iraqi citizens – with the same conditions.
The acceptance regulation of the Agency for the Interior and Sport from November 21, 2017 has prolonged the state acceptance program for family members residing in Hamburg to November 30, 2018, where the timing of the application is relevant. The program benefits Syrian citizens residing in Syria or neighboring countries who have relatives with German or Syrian citizenship and who have had a primary residence in Hamburg for 6 months or more.
By order of the Ministry of the Interior and Municipality of Brandenburg, the state acceptance ordinance from September 29, 2018 for Syrian refugees has been renewed until September 30, 2018. Further information can be found in the previous ordinance from April 26, 2017.
The apportionment of residency permits requires an appropriate commitment that must be signed by the relatives living in Germany. This commitment is limited to 5 years starting from the day of arrival.
In addition to these extensions, the Thüringen state acceptance program (ordinance from December 27, 2016) runs until December 31, 2018.
Further readings:
https://resettlement.de/en/admission-by-federal-states-and-private-sponsorship/