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Blue Card in Berlin
Lawyer's information: How to apply for the Blue Card in Berlin at the State Office for Immigration (LEA).
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How to convert your Blue Card visa into a residence permit
how to extend the Blue Card
where the Blue Card application must be submitted (jurisdiction)
which documents you need for the Blue Card (Berlin)
1. Convert Blue Card visa into residence permit
2. Apply for a Blue Card in Berlin online
3. Necessary documents Blue Card EU residence permit
4. Blue Card Berlin with Business Immigration Service (BIS)
5. FAQ Blue Card Berlin
6. Conclusion Blue Card Berlin
1. Convert Blue Card visa into residence permit
After entering Germany, you must first register your residence ( Section 17 of the Federal Immigration and Asylum Act ) and then convert your Blue Card visa into a residence permit with the relevant immigration authority. The same applies to extending your Blue Card. The requirements for a residence permit are generally the same as for applying for a visa (see Section 6, Paragraph 3, Sentence 2 of the Residence Act), although there are a few special features. The easiest way to find out which immigration authority is responsible for your particular immigration authority is to use the “ Authority Finder ” of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). There are also some authority finders within individual cities. For example, in Hamburg each district has its own immigration authority (see the Hamburg Authority Finder here ). In Hamburg it is therefore comparatively difficult to determine who is responsible for this. However, it must be acknowledged that the city has an authority with overall responsibility for skilled workers, the Hamburg Welcome Center .
2. Apply for a Blue Card online
A residence permit for the EU Blue Card can generally be applied for in any conceivable way (e.g., in writing by mail, by email, verbally on-site, or online using the contact form ). There are no specific regulations regarding the form of the application. In particular, contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to book an appointment to apply for a residence permit. The immigration authorities in major cities (in particular Berlin (State Office for Immigration (LEA)), Munich (Munich District Administration Office (KVR)), and Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt am Main Immigration Office)) have almost exclusively developed online portals to facilitate the application process.
The online portals of the largest immigration authorities can be found here:
Contact form/online service of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin
Contact form/online service of the District Administration Department (KVR) Munich
Contact form/online service of the Immigration Office Frankfurt am Main
Using the contact forms is relatively self-explanatory. Only the responsibilities of the different departments can cause difficulties. The contact form of the Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) lists the responsibilities as follows:
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin B1, B2, B3: Blue Card and family members + students
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin B4: Visa approvals for Berlin
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin B6: Business Immigration Service (BIS)
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E2: USA, Canada, South America, etc.
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E3: Australia, India, Israel, etc.
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E4: China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Singapore, Vietnam, etc.
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E5: Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia)
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E6: European citizens (freedom of movement), Great Britain, Switzerland
Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin S5: Türkiye and Ukraine
The complete organizational chart of the State Office for Immigration is available for public inspection . The organizational chart also lists all other responsibilities of the LEA.
When using the contact form of the Berlin Immigration Office (State Office for Immigration), you should also note that in addition to the general contact form, there is also a special contact form for applying for a Blue Card (see the Berlin Immigration Office (LEA) contact form for applying for an EU Blue Card ). If you want to use the general contact form (e.g. to submit documents later), please make sure that you select the correct department (for holders of an EU Blue Card, these are departments B1/B2/B3 ) and the correct service (e.g. EU Blue Card or family reunification for Blue Card holders). Some departments of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) and the Munich District Administration Department (KVR) even offer emergency or urgent appointments via the contact form (see here forbooking an appointment in an emergency with the KVR Munich ).
When using online forms, it's also a good idea to download and save the form summary or email confirmation after submitting the form. These confirmations serve as proof that the documents were actually submitted in cases where the time of submission of documents or the application is important. This is particularly relevant if, for example, the immigration authorities have set a deadline for submitting documents or if a fictitious certificate is being applied for.
The online portals usually also provide the required documents for the Blue Card. The document lists for the EU Blue Card from the major immigration authorities can be found here:
Checklist for applying for the EU Blue Card at the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin
Checklist for applying for the EU Blue Card at the District Administration Office (KVR) in Munich
Checklist for applying for the EU Blue Card at the Immigration Office in Frankfurt am Main
Checklist for applying for the EU Blue Card in Hamburg (Hamburg Welcome Center)
Until 2023, it was still possible to communicate with the authorities via email, but the public email addresses of the Berlin State Office for Immigration, the Munich District Administration Office, and the Frankfurt am Main Immigration Office have since been deactivated. Only lawyers still have the option of contacting these immigration authorities via the electronic justice system ( a special electronic lawyers' mailbox (beA) ).
3. Necessary documents Blue Card EU residence permit
To apply for a Blue Card at the relevant immigration office, at least the following documents are usually required:
Valid passport
employment contract
Employer certificate
Professional license (if required)
university certificate
Anabin -Extract or certificate evaluation
previous residence permit (visa)
rental agreement
Proof of monthly rental costs
Health insurance certificate
current biometric photo
Once all required documents have been submitted (in full), the immigration office will schedule an appointment for the residence permit. After the appointment and payment of the fee, the residence permit will be issued.
4. Blue Card Berlin with Business Immigration Service (BIS)
In Berlin, employers have the option of applying for the EU Blue Card directly through the Business Immigration Service (BIS) – a significant advantage for companies seeking to hire international specialists quickly. The Business Immigration Service is part of the Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA). The application does not need to be submitted by the prospective employee themselves; it is sufficient for the employer to submit the application to the BIS. This procedure is particularly attractive for larger companies or startups with a regular need for skilled workers, as it saves time and simplifies the entire process.
Compared to the regular Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA), the BIS offers significantly faster processing and a smoother process. Applications are processed efficiently, often with personal support from dedicated contacts. Anyone seeking to bring qualified non-EU professionals to Berlin benefits from a swift and straightforward solution that significantly accelerates the entry into employment. VISAGUARD is happy to help you find the right path to the EU Blue Card and supports you in the application process through the BIS.
5. FAQ
How is the EU Blue Card visa converted into a residence permit in Berlin?
After entering the country, you must first register your residential address in accordance with Section 17 of the Federal Act on the Protection of the Constitution (BMG). You must then apply for a Blue Card EU residence permit at the responsible immigration authority—in Berlin, the State Office for Immigration (LEA).
Can I also apply for the EU Blue Card online?
Yes. Applying for the EU Blue Card in Berlin is also possible online using the LEA's contact form. An appointment is not necessary. However, it is important to select the correct service ("EU Blue Card") and the responsible department (e.g., B1/B2/B3 for skilled workers) on the form.
Which department in LEA Berlin is responsible for the Blue Card?
Departments B1, B2, and B3 at the LEA Berlin are responsible for EU Blue Card holders and applicants. Further departments are regionally divided according to country of origin (e.g., E5 for the Western Balkans, S5 for Turkey and Ukraine). The complete structure is publicly available in the LEA's organizational chart.
Can documents for the EU Blue Card be submitted later?
Yes, additional documents can be submitted digitally via the general contact form of the LEA Berlin.
What happens after submitting the EU Blue Card application?
Once all documents are complete, the Berlin Immigration Office will schedule an appointment to issue your residence permit. After you appear in person and pay the fee, the residence permit (usually issued electronically as an electronic residence permit (eAT)) will be issued.
6. Conclusion
The EU Blue Card is a privileged residence permit for highly qualified third-country nationals in Germany. After entering Germany with a visa, this must be converted into a residence permit – in Berlin at the State Office for Immigration (LEA). The application can be easily submitted online using the contact form; an in-person appointment is not mandatory. It is important to select the correct department (e.g., B1/B2/B3 for Blue Card holders) and submit all necessary documents on time, including an employment contract , Anabin (German Federal Employment Agency) proof of residency, rental and registration certificates, and health insurance .