Application process at LEA Berlin: This is how the appointment at LEA works

You've waited weeks for the appointment , the documents are neatly organized in your folder, and the invitation is in your mailbox. Despite this, a surprisingly large number of appointments still go awry. The State Office for Immigration ( LEA ) is not stalled because of the legal situation, but because of very practical matters on site: an invitation that cannot be presented at the security checkpoint, the wrong part of the building, or a fee that is not paid on time. For a skilled worker from the USA , from For someone from Great Britain or Canada who has just arrived in Berlin, and for the HR department that has planned a firm start date, a cancelled appointment can mean delays of several weeks.

In our series “Tips for LEA , we therefore explain step by step how a typical appointment in the How the Berlin immigration office operates – and what you should pay attention to so that you leave the building with the desired result.

Where does the appointment take place and how do I get into the building?

The main location of the LEA is located at Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24 in Berlin-Moabit. Right at the entrance, there's the first hurdle, which many underestimate: without an appointment invitation, security won't let you in. Security personnel check whether you actually have an appointment. We recommend that our clients print out the invitation email and also keep it on their smartphones – a dead battery or poor reception shouldn't determine whether you can keep your appointment.

Also, keep your Have your passport readily available. According to Section 48 Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), you are required to carry your passport with you. You must present your passport to the authorities upon request, and a residence permit cannot be issued without a valid identity document (§ 3 and § 5 para. 1 no. 4 of the German Residence Act). Please allow approximately 15 to 20 minutes extra time, as a queue may form at the entrance during peak hours.

How do I find the right building and the right waiting area?

The premises on Friedrich-Krause-Ufer consist of several buildings and floors. A map is posted directly in the entrance area, showing you which building and floor you need to go to. The map is organized by department – so you should know which department is responsible for your inquiry. This information is usually included in your appointment invitation. Finding it beforehand will save you time searching and ensure you arrive at the correct waiting area on time.

How long will I have to wait before my name is called?

Once you arrive in the waiting area, the part begins that isn't mentioned in any official description: the waiting. Your appointment is linked to a waiting or appointment number, which will be displayed on a screen in the waiting area. Keep an eye on this screen – if you miss the call, you risk losing your appointment.

From our experience accompanying numerous appointments, we know that delays of 30 minutes or more are not the exception, but rather the rule. Especially in the mornings or during peak times, the waiting area can become chaotic. Employers should therefore grant their employees not just an hour, but at least half a workday off. Those who have an important meeting or flight booked immediately afterward put themselves under unnecessary pressure.

What happens during the conversation with the case worker?

As soon as your number appears, go to the indicated room. How the conversation proceeds depends heavily on the individual case – an extension of the The process for obtaining a residence permit differs from the issuance of a Blue Card. EU or an application for family reunification. In almost all cases, however, you will be asked to submit your documents in original form : typically the Passport , the Employment contract , proof of your Apartment , your Health insurance and proof of salary or qualifications are required. The legal basis for this is your duty to cooperate according to Section 82 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act: You must explain and substantiate all circumstances favorable to you yourself.

Experience has shown us that missing or incomplete documents are the most frequent reason why an appointment ends without a resolution. This is often followed by a request for further information, and the process can drag on for weeks. Therefore, please bring copies along with the originals and check beforehand that your biometric passport photo is up-to-date.

Once your file is complete, you will usually need to sign it and provide your fingerprints. These are required for the electronic residence permit, which, according to Section 78 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), is issued as a card with a chip and stores fingerprints in addition to your photograph.

How do I pay the fees at LEA ?

Fees are charged for issuing or extending a residence permit ( § 69 AufenthG in conjunction with §§ 44 ff. AufenthV). If there is still a balance due, you will receive a payment card from the case worker. Take this card to one of the payment machines in the building. Go to LEA and pay the amount there. Then bring the proof of payment back to the processing office. Our practical tip: Have more than one payment method ready. If one card doesn't work at the machine, you don't want to end up in the queue again.

What will I receive at the end of the appointment?

After you submit proof of payment, the processing office will print a confirmation that your electronic residence permit has been ordered. In practice, this document is often referred to as a "white certificate of deemed residence." It's important to distinguish between the two: The actual certificate of deemed residence, according to Section 81 Paragraph 5 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), is an official form that certifies the legal effect of the permit's validity. According to Section 81 Paragraph 4 of the German Residence Act, your existing residence permit remains valid if you applied for an extension before its expiration date. The printed confirmation, on the other hand, documents that your application has been approved and the card has been put into production.

Caution when traveling abroad: We strongly advise against relying solely on such a document for re-entry. Anyone who needs to travel in the meantime should clarify this with us or the relevant authorities beforehand.

Finally, you will receive a new appointment to collect your plastic card. This is usually three to six weeks after the original date , as the card is produced by the Federal Printing Office. During this time, please ensure your name is on your mailbox: The letter containing your PIN and PUK for the online function will be sent to your registered address (if it wasn't already given to you at your appointment).

Why is it worthwhile to seek legal counsel from a specialized law firm?

Many expats and HR departments try to prepare for the interview themselves, relying on forums, checklists, or legal tech tools. This can go well—until a document is missing, a question arises about the salary limit, or the case worker has a different interpretation of the legal situation. Then the next available appointment is often weeks away, the start date is delayed, and in the worst-case scenario, the new employee's employment is jeopardized. Skilled worker at stake.

We know the processes at LEA is familiar with hundreds of procedures – including the unwritten rules and the differences between the individual departments. We compile your documents so that the file is complete for the appointment, communicate with the authority in advance, and handle any requests for additional information. And if an application is rejected, we will represent you in court. Court .

Conclusion: Well prepared is half the battle.

An appointment at the Friedrich-Krause-Ufer follows a set procedure: entry with an invitation, orientation via the posted schedule, waiting to be called, interview with presentation of original documents, signature and fingerprints, payment at the machine, and finally, confirmation of your residence permit application. Those who are familiar with this procedure and bring all their documents usually leave the building with a positive outcome. Those who improvise, however, risk additional demands and delays of several weeks. Please contact us if you need to schedule your next appointment at the LEA if you want to prepare for LEA safely or as an employer with several international employees want to have specialists accompany them at the same time.