Executive Summary
- The correct KVR Munich sequence is security interview first, then biometrics and RP issuance, when reversed, the biometrics case stays pending until the security interview is done.
- Applicants with an imminent visa expiry can request a Fiktionsbescheinigung at the security interview appointment itself, before the RP appointment is scheduled.
- The fictional effect under §81(3) AufenthG activates on application submission, lawful residence is protected even before the physical document is issued, provided the application was submitted before visa expiry.
- HR must confirm application pre-submission timing and verify the Fiktionsbescheinigung wording includes Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt to ensure uninterrupted work authorization.
Question: Can an applicant request a Fiktionsbescheinigung at the KVR Munich security interview if their visa expires before the residence permit appointment?
Answer:
Yes, when a visa is approaching expiry and the Germany residence permit (RP) appointment has not yet been scheduled, applicants can request a Fiktionsbescheinigung at the KVR Ruppertstraße security interview (Sicherheitsgespräch). The correct process sequence at KVR Munich is security interview first, then biometrics and RP issuance. When the sequence is reversed and biometrics happen before the security interview, the RP case is left pending until the security interview is completed. In both scenarios, the Fiktionsbescheinigung provides interim legal residence and, where the previous permit allowed employment, continued work authorization. HR teams should verify that the application was submitted before visa expiry to activate the fictional effect under §81(3) AufenthG.
At a Glance: KVR Munich Security Interview and Visa Expiry Scenario
Security Interview Sequencing and Interim Status at KVR Munich
The Legal Position
Under §81(3) and §81(4) of the Aufenthaltsgesetz, a residence permit application submitted before visa expiry automatically triggers the fictional effect (Fiktionswirkung). This extends the employee’s lawful stay in Germany and, where the previous permit allowed work, usually preserves work authorization while the application is pending.
This protection applies immediately after submission, even if the Fiktionsbescheinigung has not yet been physically issued.
In Munich, the residence permit process is handled by the KVR’s Servicestelle für Zuwanderung at Ruppertstraße 19, including the mandatory security interview (Sicherheitsgespräch).
In practice:
- The security interview is treated as a prerequisite step.
- It should normally happen before the biometrics appointment.
- If biometrics is scheduled first, the case often remains pending until the security interview is completed.
- The residence permit is not issued until both steps are cleared.
For HR and mobility teams, this distinction matters. A biometrics appointment alone does not mean the permit approval process is complete.
Requesting the Fiktionsbescheinigung at the Security Interview
If the employee’s visa is close to expiry and no residence permit appointment has been scheduled, the security interview at Ruppertstraße is usually the right moment to request the Fiktionsbescheinigung directly from the KVR officer.
Employees should bring:
- Original passport and visa
- Residence permit application confirmation
- Appointment letter
- Supporting immigration documents already submitted
Depending on the case, the officer may:
- Issue the Fiktionsbescheinigung during the appointment
- Start the issuance process
- Refer the applicant to the emergency services desk at Entrance A
If the document cannot be issued immediately, employees should request written confirmation that the application remains pending. This can serve as interim proof of lawful status.
Typical processing time after the interview ranges from a few days to around two weeks, depending on KVR workload.
HR Guidance
1. Verify filing timing first
The key compliance threshold is whether the residence permit application was submitted before visa expiry.
If filed on time:
- The fictional effect applies
- Lawful residence continues while the application is pending
2. Prepare the employee before the interview
Advise the employee to proactively request the Fiktionsbescheinigung during the security interview.
They should carry all originals, especially:
- Application confirmation
- Appointment letter
- Existing visa documentation
3. Escalate early if timing is tight
HR or mobility teams should contact KVR Munich if:
- The visa expires within 15 days, and
- The security interview has not yet taken place
The contact to KVR Munich can be made through:
- The Kontaktformular
- Telephone consultation hours listed on stadt.muenchen.de
The goal is to flag urgency and request faster Fiktionsbescheinigung issuance.
4. Confirm work authorization wording
Once issued, carefully review the supplementary wording on the Fiktionsbescheinigung.
Look specifically for Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt on the document.
Without this wording, lawful residence may continue, but employment authorization may not.
Key Risks
1. Application filed after visa expiry
If the Munich residence permit application is submitted late:
- The fictional effect does not apply
- Lawful residence status lapses
- Work authorization is suspended until the permit is issued
This creates a direct immigration compliance risk for HR and payroll teams.
2. Biometrics completed before security interview
A biometrics appointment does not mean the case is approved.
If the Sicherheitsgespräch is still pending:
- The residence permit process remains incomplete
- The application may stay on hold until the interview is finished
HR should not treat biometrics attendance as confirmation of continued work rights. Read also about Residence permit missed delivery.
3. Fiktionsbescheinigung without work authorization wording
Some Fiktionsbescheinigungen confirm lawful stay but do not explicitly authorize employment.
If the document does not include Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt the employee may not legally continue working.
Proceeding with payroll or onboarding in that situation can expose the employer to unauthorized employment risks under §4a AufenthG.
FAQs: Fiktionsbescheinigung, KVR Munich Security Interview, and Visa Expiry
This covers the following use cases:
- Can I get a Fiktionsbescheinigung at the KVR security interview in Munich before my visa expires?
- What happens if my visa expires before my KVR Munich residence permit appointment?
- My employee's visa expires in 15 days and the RP appointment hasn't been scheduled yet — what do we do?
- Is the Sicherheitsgespräch at KVR Ruppertstraße required before biometrics for a residence permit in Munich?
- What is the correct sequence for the security interview and biometrics appointment at KVR Munich?
- Can a Russian national in Munich request a Fiktionsbescheinigung at the security interview if their work visa is expiring?
- What does it mean when KVR Munich leaves a biometrics case pending after a security interview?
- Can my employee work legally in Germany while waiting for the KVR Munich security interview to be completed?
- How do I use KVR Munich's emergency services channel if my employee's visa is about to expire?
- Does the fictional effect under §81 AufenthG apply when waiting for a KVR security interview?
- What wording should I look for on the Fiktionsbescheinigung to confirm my employee can keep working in Munich?
- What happens to an Indian national's residence permit application if KVR Munich requires a security interview?




