Residence and work permit - non-EU citizens

If you come from a non-EU or non-EEA country and would like to work in Germany, you will need a residence and work permit.

Course description

Before entering the country

You generally need a visa to enter Germany. You can find all information on the visa procedure in our initial information.

After entering the country

You must first register your residence at the Citizens Office.

Application for the issue or extension of a residence permit

Before your national D visa or previous residence permit expires, you must apply for a residence permit. You can submit your application and the required documents online:

  • Please upload your documents as a PDF document if possible.
  • After you have sent your application, you will receive a confirmation. You can save this as a PDF file for your records.
  • This confirmation states that your current residence in Germany remains valid beyond the previous validity date and that you can continue to work to the same extent as before.
  • You can present the confirmation as proof to the authorities or at your workplace.
  • After your application has been checked, you will be given an appointment.

Required documents

  • Fully completed application form
  • Valid national passport or passport substitute
  • current biometric passport photo submitted digitally by a certified photo studio or drugstore. Alternatively, you can use one of the photo terminals at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Office for a fee.
  • Employment contract
  • Fully completed insurance for employment(only for first-time applications, please upload together with the employment contract)
  • Completed form " Declaration of employment"
  • Last three salary slips (only for extension)

Please note

  • The documents submitted (such as proof of identity and language certificates) will be checked for authenticity. We will report any forgeries to the police.
  • Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Duration and costs

Processing time

10 to 12 weeks

Questions about the processing status cannot be answered during this time.

We can only finalise your application if you have submitted all the required documents in full. If we have to request additional documents, this will delay the process.

Fees and charges

100 to 147 Euro

Legal basis

§ Section 19c AufenthG, BeschV

Ausländerbehörde

Internet address

Phone number

Postal address

Ausländerbehörde

Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München

Fax: +49 89 233-45454

Contact address

Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München

Lagehinweis: Eingang A
Room: Servicepoint, Bereich 31, 3. Stock

Only with appointment

By appointment only

Related services

Entry and residence - residence permit from another EU country

If you have a permanent residence permit in another EU country, you will receive a residence permit if you fulfil all the requirements.

Entry and residence - Swiss nationals

Special regulations apply to Swiss nationals under the Agreement of 21 June 1999 between the European Community and its member states.

Entry and residence - Selected countries

Regulations for nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA