Single application procedure
Article 4
1. An application to issue, amend or renew a single permit shall be submitted by way of a single application procedure. Member States shall determine whether applications for a single permit are to be submitted by the third-country national or by the third-country national’s employer. Alternatively, Member States may allow applications to be submitted by either of the two. 2. An application for a single permit shall be considered and examined either where the third-country national is residing outside the territory of the Member State to which that third-country national wishes to be admitted, or where that third-country national is already residing in the territory of that Member State as a holder of a valid residence permit. A Member State may also accept, in accordance with its national law, applications for a single permit submitted by other third-country nationals who are legally present in its territory. 3. Member States shall examine an application submitted under paragraph 1 and shall adopt a decision to issue, amend or renew the single permit if the applicant fulfils the requirements laid down by Union or national law. A decision to issue, amend or renew the single permit shall constitute a single administrative act combining a residence permit and a work permit. 4. Provided that the requirements laid down by Union or national law are fulfilled and where a Member State issues single permits only on its territory, the Member State concerned shall issue the third-country national with the requisite visa to obtain a single permit. 5. Member States shall issue a single permit, where the conditions provided for are met, to third-country nationals who apply for admission and to third-country nationals already admitted who apply to renew or modify their residence permit after the entry into force of the national implementing provisions.