Information - Services - Formalities by subjects - Human resources - Employment of foreigners (EU and non-EU citizens) - Residence permit; application and extension

Residence permit; application and extension

Non-EU nationals can be granted and extended a residence permit for various residence purposes (e.g. employment, study, au pair, family reunification).

Description

The residence permit is a temporary residence title. It is granted for the purposes specified in the Residence Act, e.g. for

for humanitarian reasons,
for the purpose of study or training,
for the purpose of employment, self-employment or research,
for family reunification for spouses/life partners and minor children, provided the foreigner living here has a right of residence himself/herself,
for spouses/life partners and minor children of Germans,
within the framework of the right of residence of opportunity introduced on 31.12.2022 (see: further information).

The Residence Act regulates for the individual residence purposes, in addition to the conditions for issuance, whether there is a legal entitlement to the issuance of a residence permit, or whether the Foreigners Authority must make a discretionary decision.

The residence permit is normally valid for the entire federal territory, but can be issued and extended with conditions and requirements. Conditions, e.g. a spatial restriction, can also be imposed subsequently.

The residence permit forms the basis for a permanent right of residence - despite an initial time limit - unless an extension is excluded from the outset, e.g. in the case of temporary residence purposes.

The extension of the residence permit, as well as the issuance, must be applied for at the Aliens' Registration Office.

Prerequisites

The requirements for the issuance of a residence permit differ depending on the purpose of the stay.

In general, the issuance of a residence permit usually requires that

the livelihood is secured
the identity and, if not entitled to return to another state, the citizenship of the foreigner are clarified,
there is no reason for expulsion,
insofar as there is no entitlement to the granting of a residence title, the foreigner's residence does not impair or endanger the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany for any other reason, and
the passport obligation according to § 3 AufenthG is fulfilled;

and that the foreigner

has entered the country with the required visa and
has already provided the information relevant for the issuance in the visa application.

The same regulations apply to the extension of the residence permit as to its issuance. Before the residence permit is extended, it must be determined whether the foreigner has fulfilled any obligation to properly participate in the integration course.

Deadlines

Foreigners subject to the visa requirement must apply for the residence title required for further residence while the visa is still valid.

Foreigners exempted from the visa requirement for the specific purpose of stay must apply for the residence permit required for further stay immediately after entry or within 90 days at the latest.

Required documents

If necessary, you may be required to produce additional documents
The documents to be presented may vary greatly. Please find out more details from your competent Aliens Department (Ausländerbehörde). As a general rule, the documents listed above will be required (among others).
Valid passport
Current biometric photo (front shot)
Supporting documents evidencing guaranteed means of subsistence
Supporting documents evidencing adequate living quarters
Supporting documents evidencing medical insurance coverage
Supporting documents evidencing the purpose of stay, e. g. employer's certificate or employment contract
if necessary, further documents

Online procedures

Regional complement (Landeshauptstadt München)

Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Forschende
You would like to start a research activity? Then you can apply for a residence permit online.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur medizinischen Behandlung
Seriously ill patients from abroad who are looked after by their embassies or for whom the home country pays the costs can apply for a stay.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Zweck der betrieblichen Aus- und Weiterbildung im Bundesgebiet
You can apply for a stay for in-company training and further education if the employment office has approved this activity or if the activity is permissible without approval.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Drittstaatler mit einem Aufenthaltstitel aus einem anderen EU-Staat
If you have a permanent residence permit in another EU country, you can apply online for a residence permit to work in Germany.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Gastwissenschaftler*innen oder wissenschaftliches Personal
You are not from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland and do not meet the requirements for a research stay? Then you need a residence permit for visiting researchers or scientific staff.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis im Rahmen der Qualifizierung/ Anerkennung als Ärztin/ Arzt
You are not from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, have a foreign qualification as a doctor and would like to obtain a licence to practise medicine or a professional permit? Then you need a residence permit for this purpose.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis von Schweizer Staatsangehörigen und ihren Familienangehörigen
Für Schweizer gelten besondere Regelungen. Sie können online mit der Ausländerbehörde Kontakt aufnehmen.
Übertrag des Aufenthaltstitels in den neuen Pass
Here you will find important information if you are a foreign national and have received a new passport.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Freiwilligendienst
You are not from an EU or EEA country, are under 28 years old and want to do a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), Ecological Year (FÖJ) or a Federal Volunteer Service (BFD)? You can submit your application online.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Werkvertragsarbeitnehmer
You are a foreigner and want to work as a contract worker? You can find the relevant information here.
ICT-Karte (Intra-Corporate-Transfer)
Die ICT-Karte ist eine befristete Aufenthaltserlaubnis für europaweite firmeninterne Transfers.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 25 Abs. 2 Satz 1, Alternative 2 AufenthG
Persons who have been recognised by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees as being entitled to subsidiary protection are granted a residence permit.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Besuch eines Deutsch-Intensivsprachkurses
You would like to attend an intensive German language course? Then you must apply for a residence permit for this time.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche nach dem Studium
You have successfully completed your studies in Germany and have decided to enter the German job market, but have not yet found what you are looking for? Then you need a residence permit.
Kontaktformular der Ausländerbehörde München
Sie haben ein Anliegen an die Ausländerbehörde München? Bitte befüllen Sie das folgende Formular, wir werden Ihnen so schnell wie möglich antworten. Sollten Sie bereits Dokumente einreichen wollen, so können Sie diese beifügen.
Antrag auf Arbeitgeberwechsel - Änderung der Nebenbestimmungen
Ein Aufenthaltstitel zur Beschäftigung ist in den ersten zwei Jahren an ein Unternehmen gebunden. Wenn Sie das Unternehmen wechseln wollen, ist die Genehmigung der Ausländerbehörde und gegebenenfalls der Bundesagentur für Arbeit nötig. Hier können Sie den Wechsel des Arbeitgebers oder der Beschäftigung online beantragen.
Beschäftigung ohne Studium (auch Au-Pair, FSJ, FÖJ, BFD)
You can apply for employment without studying online.
Aufhebung Sperrvermerk
When you applied for your residence permit, you created a blocked account as proof that you can secure your livelihood. You can apply for the lifting of the blocking notice online here.
Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht
Am 31. Dezember 2022 ist das sogenannte Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht in Kraft getreten. Mit diesem können Personen mit einer Duldung, die seit 31. Oktober 2022 mindestens fünf Jahre rechtmäßig in Deutschland leben, für 18 Monate eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis bekommen.

Fees

Issue:
- Period of validity up to one year: 100 Euro
- Period of validity of more than one year: 100 Euro
extension:
- up to three months: 96 Euro
- from more than three months: 93 Euro