Allaboutberlin publishes a helpful tool for measuring waiting times at the State Office for Immigration (LEA)

In the context of labor migration to Germany, transparency regarding bureaucratic processes is playing an increasingly important role. For international professionals and companies that work with VISAGUARD, reliable information on processing times has become a crucial factor in planning the start of employment, residence permits, and relocation processes. This is precisely where AllAboutBerlin 's new tool comes in: " Foreigners Office Waiting Times " offers, for the first time, a data-driven overview of average waiting times at the Berlin Immigration Office, the State Office for Immigration (LEA).

Largest non-governmental data collection

The tool is based on hundreds of anonymous responses from applicants. This creates a realistic picture of how long individual steps of the process actually take – differentiated by purpose of stay and department. For VISAGUARD's clients, this is an enormous advantage, because experience shows that the duration of the procedures varies considerably and concrete forecasts are rarely available from the authorities themselves. Even as a lawyer handling many cases simultaneously, waiting times are often difficult to estimate.

The division into four process stages is particularly helpful. First, it shows how much time elapses between the submission of the complete documents and the initial response from the LEA (State Office for Immigration and Asylum). According to reported experience, this period ranges from approximately nine days to four months ; the average is about six weeks. This first stage is often particularly critical because companies and professionals regularly rely on feedback at this stage to plan the further course of the residency process.

The second section covers the phase following the initial response from the LEA (Local Application Authority). Here, too, the tool displays clear average values: response times range from eight days to two months . This allows the tool to create a realistic expectation of how quickly the processing will progress after the initial review of the documents.

Waiting times for appointments at the State Office for Immigration (LEA)

Of central importance is the insight into waiting times for a personal appointment at the immigration office. Experience shows that, on average, around six weeks pass between scheduling an appointment and the actual appointment itself. In practice, clients experience particularly long periods of uncertainty, as delays in scheduling directly impact starting employment , commencing contracts, and mobility decisions. The tool also tracks the process of collecting the electronic residence permit (eAT ), making the entire procedure transparent.

Another advantage is that users can not only share their own experiences but also see which residence permit was applied for in which department . This granular data is strategically valuable for VISAGUARD. It allows, for example, a more precise assessment of how specific application pathways—including EU Blue Cards , residence permits for skilled workers with vocational training , residence permits for study purposes , or family reunification —affect the overall processing time. This makes it easier to provide clients with reliable guidance right from the start of the process.

Conclusion on the waiting time tool from allaboutberlin

From a practical perspective, this tool demonstrates how crucial transparency has become in administrative procedures. Immigration authorities rarely communicate such waiting times proactively; therefore, community-based tools fill a significant information gap. For companies seeking to hire international professionals, this database provides a valuable basis for planning the onboarding process. For the professionals themselves, the increased transparency reduces stress and creates a realistic understanding of how their application will proceed.

Integrating the tool into VISAGUARD's consulting processes is therefore a logical step. The start of the process can be better anticipated, delays can be planned for early on, and deadlines can be predicted more realistically. At the same time, the tool allows VISAGUARD to actively solicit clients to contribute their own experiences. In this way, data quality continuously improves – and with it, predictability for all involved. The AllAboutBerlin tool impressively demonstrates the added value that data-driven transparency offers international professionals, employers, and legal advisors.