The immigration office (also known as the Ausländerbehörde or Ausländeramt - literally, the “foreigners’ office”) is an important authority in Germany that expats may find themselves making regular visits to. The Ausländerbehörde is responsible for implementing the Residence Act, primarily by issuing residence permits.
What is an immigration office (Ausländerbehörde)?
Also known as a foreigners’ authority, the immigration office in Germany is a governmental authority tasked with enforcing the Residence Act (AufenthG) and clarifying the legal status of foreign nationals in Germany.
The immigration office is, therefore, the first point of contact for anyone who wants to apply for a residence permit in Germany, extend their residence permit, or ask questions about their residency status.
What are foreigners’ offices responsible for?
Local immigration offices ensure that the administrative regulations set out in the Residence Act are implemented uniformly by the different German federal states.
Broadly speaking, residence offices are involved in or wholly responsible for:
- Issuing visas
- Issuing or refusing residence permits
- Making decisions on the granting of permanent residence permits
- Deciding on and carrying out deportations
- Issuing passport replacement documents
Find your local Ausländerbehörde
Each rural district and city in Germany will have its own Ausländerbehörde, which should be your first point of contact to apply for a residence permit, extend your permit, or ask any questions you might have.
You can find your local immigration office on the BAMF website. The contact details for some of the biggest foreigners’ offices in Germany are listed below:
Berlin immigration office
In Berlin, the immigration office is known as the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). The LEA has four locations, each with different areas of responsibility. You can find out which location is correct for you by checking this list of services at the LEA.
Frankfurt Ausländerbehörde
You can begin the process of applying for a residence permit in Frankfurt online via the immigration office FFM website. You will then be given an appointment to attend the Ausländerbehörde in person. There is a separate contact form for general questions.
Immigration offices in Hamburg
There are seven immigration offices in Hamburg, known as Standorte Ausländerangelegenheiten, serving different areas of the city. You can call the free number 115 for advice. If you are applying for a residence permit for the first time, you are best off contacting the welcome center in Hamburg, or using this online portal to send your information to the correct authority.
Ausländerbehörde Munich
The Munich foreigners’ office has a good website which allows you to book an appointment and start your residence permit application online, in English. If you have a specific question about applying for a permit in Munich, you can use their contact form.
Stuttgart Ausländerbehörde
You also need an appointment to visit the Stuttgart Ausländerbehörde. You can make an appointment via email or telephone - just make sure to contact the correct team; the team responsible for you depends on the first letter of your surname and the service you require. You can visit the Stuttgart immigration office website to get the contact details for the right team. For some services in Stuttgart, you can book an appointment online.
Visiting your local immigration office without an appointment
Note that most immigration offices in Germany require you to have an appointment to visit them. If you show up without an appointment, you will most likely be turned away. If you have an urgent question, it is advisable to contact the Ausländerbehörde via telephone or their dedicated contact form.