Honestly, I have no idea where the breakdown in communication was, but I did not have to take a test before being approved for my permit. We showed up to the office this morning, met with Herr Helseberg, showed him my receipt as proof that I am enrolled in language school, paid €115, and I had a shiny new sticker in my passport.
The sticker looks similar to this:
This picture is of the old Aufenthaltstitel that they issued up until September 1st, 2011. Now they have switched over to a credit card like permit that is meant to be carried separate from your passport and has 7 different uses. Germany also switched over to these kind of ID cards, but it isn't mandatory to make the change if you have an older ID card. The new cards are kind of a hassle and the German citizens don't really see how there is much of a benefit (I don't either). This sticker is valid until early February (1 month). By that point, I should have received my actual Aufenthaltstitel from the Aliens office.
This permit only allows me to stay for 9 months, but since I will have been here for 3 months before, I will be here for essentially 1 year legally. Felix and I are relieved to have this taken care of, but we have already started thinking about when we need to get the ball rolling on a residence permit when this one is expired. A visa is not the same as a residence permit here. I am allowed to live here while I am in language school, but I cannot work still unless I apply for a separate work visa. (In case anyone was wondering.)
Ha! Aliens office
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