Settlement permit for highly qualified persons
In special cases, highly qualified foreign nationals can obtain a permanent residence permit without prior residence in Germany.
Course description
Do you come from a third country (not from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) and are you a particularly highly qualified specialist with an academic education? Then you can apply for a settlement permit under certain conditions.
The settlement permit is an unlimited residence title that allows you to live and work in Germany without any time or place restrictions.
Application and deadline
Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. Once we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.
Prerequisites
In particular, "highly qualified" in this sense means
- Scientists with special specialised knowledge or
- Teachers in a prominent position or
- academic staff in a prominent position.
These examples are not exhaustive. In individual cases, other groups of people may also be considered as highly qualified employees. If in doubt, please contact the Service Centre for Immigration and Naturalisation.
Another prerequisite is that you are registered in Munich and that you are able to integrate into local living conditions and secure your livelihood without state assistance.
Required documents
- fully completed application form
- valid passport or passport substitute
- current biometric passport photo, which is sent 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.
- University certificate or doctoral certificate (in the case of foreign degrees, a certified German translation and, if applicable, the formal recognition and, in the case of a university professorship, the doctoral certificate must also be submitted)
- Proof of high qualification (e.g. expertise from a scientific institution or organisation, special publications, proof of scientific awards, international reputation, statement from the "recruiting" body)
- Proof of monthly housing costs and living space:
- Rental agreement or purchase contract stating the number of square metres and bank statements showing the amount of rent
or - Housing certificate
- Rental agreement or purchase contract stating the number of square metres and bank statements showing the amount of rent
Further documents may be required in individual cases.
Questions & Answers
Your settlement permit is still valid even if your previous passport has expired and you have already received a new passport. You will need to show your old and new passports and your previous settlement permit. You can find information on passport transfer here.
Your residence permit usually expires if:
- You leave the country for a reason that is not only temporary, for example:
- Attending school abroad
- Working abroad
- Caring for a family member abroad
- Marriage abroad
- Settling abroad
- You leave Germany and do not re-enter within six months or a longer period specified by the Service Centre for Immigration and Naturalisation (exception: you complete compulsory military service in your home country and re-enter Germany within three months of completing it).
More information can be found here.
If you have an EU Blue Card, you can apply for a settlement permit in accordance with Section 18c (2) AufenthG under special conditions.
Legal basis
§ Section 18c (3) Residence Act
Ausländerbehörde
Phone number
Postal address
Ausländerbehörde
Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München
Fax: +49 89 233-44284
Address
Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München
Only with appointment