Residence permit application
After the visa: residence permit application
Are you staying in Munich, Germany, for more than 3 months? If so, the next step is to secure your permanent status. Your way to do this is with a residence permit application. It is necessary to be quick about it – you must register your address within two weeks of your arrival. Here, we explain to you how it works.
Your residence permit application steps
1. Find the right application form
The KVR website will offer you several application forms depending on your profile. For example:
Processing time and fees will vary. Please check the information directly on the KVR website.
2. Contact the foreigners authority:
Reach out to the local foreigners authority (also called the immigration office) via the suitable contact form for your requested residence permit application – and find out what documents you need.
3. Your appointment:
Once you have uploaded your documents, the immigration office will contact you and either ask you for further documents – if something is missing – or give you an appointment. Please consider that you have to wait at least 12 weeks to get an appointment.
Did you know?
The Bürgerbüro, a department within the Munich Department of Public Order (“Kreisverwaltungsreferat“, KVR), serves as a central point of contact for various administrative matters. The registration form and a list of all Bürgerbüro locations in Munich can be found on the Muenchen.de website.
What happens after submitting your application?
Email confirmation:
After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application (“Antragstellung”). This email has “Fiktionswirkung”, extending your visa until the KVR makes a decision about your residence permit.
Keep this important information an save this email.
Processing time:
- Takes 10–12 weeks
- The KVR checks your visa, your entry registration, and any criminal records.
Approval and final steps:
The KVR will invite you for an in-person appointment – to collect biometrics (photo and fingerprints) and you will have to pay a € 100,- admin fee.
TIP: After entering Germany, your Visa serves as residence permit for a period (usually 12 months). The KVR recommends to apply online for any residence permit at least four (4) months before the expiry date of your visa.
Highly qualified? Get the EU Blue Card!
The EU Blue Card (Section 18g AufenthG) is a fast-track residence permit for academics or highly qualified professionals pursuing skilled employment in Germany.
Requirements:
1. Address registration in Munich
2. Minimum gross annual salary:
– At least €48.300/year (2025)
– Your gross salary must be at least €43,759.80 (as of 2025)/year if the Federal Employment Agency has approved your employment and you work in a bottleneck profession, or if you have graduated within the last 3 years as a young professional.
Note: Salary limits apply regardless of working time model. These salary limits are for the year 2025 and may change annually.
EU Blue Card: additional information
After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application (“Antragstellung“). This email has “Fiktionswirkung“, extending your visa until the KVR makes a decision about the Blue Card. Keep it as important information and save this email.
- It takes 10 to 12 weeks
- KVR checks your visa, your entry registration, any criminal records and all the necessary documents you have submitted.
- Skilled worker visas are usually valid for 12 months
- The KVR recommends applying for the Blue Card residence permit at their office – at least four months before the expiry date of your visa.
- Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America can also enter Germany without a visa – and apply for a residence permit once in Munich.
Tip: Processing times for the conversion of residence permit in Munich can be lengthy. To avoid delays in starting your work in Munich, you should apply for a work visa at the German embassy before traveling.
The KVR will invite you for an in-person appointment – to collect biometrics (photo and fingerprints) and pay a € 100,- admin fee.
Congratulations! Now you have your Blue Card!
- 4 years for permanent contracts.
- For temporary contracts (min. 6 months): Blue Card validity matches the contract length + 3 months for job search (“Arbeitsplatzsuche”).
- Your Blue Card is tied to your initial employer for 1 year.
- To change employers later, notify KVR using the contact form (Mitteilungspflicht).
The City of Munich offers more information about the Blue Card, a permit for self-employed work or a settlement permit for highly qualified persons at this link.
After arrival: registering your spouse
Step 1: Residence Registration
Upon their arrival in Munich, your spouse must register their address at the Bürgerbüro.
Step 2: Residence Permit Application
Submit the required documents through the KVR online portal (page in German):
You will need to submit several documents, including your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, either in the original or as a copy (also with an apostille or legalization). If no international or multilingual document is available, you will need to provide a certified translation by a translator sworn in Germany.
Fees:
€100,- for residence permits longer than one year
Tip: Recognition of studies is not required but beneficial if the spouse may later apply for a different residence title.