Apply for your residence permit

Non-EU citizens need a residence permit from the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). Apply well before your visa expires — submitting the application protects your status (Fiktionsbescheinigung).

1. 1Check your permit type and gather documents

   Find your category (Blue Card, work permit §18a/b, study, family reunification) on the LEA site — each lists its own document checklist. Typical set: passport, biometric photo, employment contract, health insurance proof, Anmeldung.

   Passport · Biometric photo · Employment/study contract · Health insurance proof · Meldebescheinigung

   Official source

2. 2Apply via the LEA contact form before your visa expires

   Submit the application through the LEA online contact form. Applying in time protects your right to stay and work (Fiktionsbescheinigung) even if the appointment is months away. Keep the confirmation email.

   Completed application · Document set from step 1

   Official source

3. 3Attend your appointment and collect the card

   At the appointment you give fingerprints and pay the fee (usually €100–147). The electronic residence card (eAT) arrives in ~4–6 weeks; you will be notified to collect it.

   All originals · Fee (card payment possible)

   Official source

Procedures vary by city and office and can change. This is general information, not legal advice — always check the official source.