Business Immigration Service (BIS) in Berlin closes its residence registration service

The global competition for top talent is in full swing. When highly qualified academics, expats, and young professionals from countries like the USA , Great Britain , or Canada decide to continue their careers in Germany, every day counts . HR departments of international companies know that a smooth relocation is key to success in international recruiting . But the reality of German bureaucracy often catches up with newcomers faster than expected. Right in the middle of this sensitive phase of global mobility, a proven pillar of the welcoming culture in the capital is now crumbling: The Business Immigration Service (BIS) in Berlin is discontinuing its exclusive service for registering residences . What sounds like a mere formality has tangible consequences.

Why was registering one's residence with the BIS so important for corporate immigration?

Since 2018, Berlin has offered a dedicated citizen registration service directly integrated into its Business Immigration Service . A small, highly specialized team of case workers has supported countless foreign professionals with their start over the years. In practice, this service has proven to be an absolute success factor for corporate immigration . Anyone coming to Germany as a top talent or high-net-worth individual requires confirmation of their residence registration in accordance with Section 17 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG) for almost every subsequent step .

Without this registration confirmation, the entire process stalls: a residence permit cannot be applied for , there is no tax identification number, and opening a bank account becomes more difficult. The BIS recognized this bottleneck and offered a highly efficient, English-language, and, above all, fast, one-stop solution. As a law firm specializing in visa law, we deeply regret that this service is now being discontinued, as it was a prime example of a welcoming culture in action.

What are the reasons for discontinuing this valued service?

The official reason given for ending this service is a general reduction in the burden on the system. The appointment situation at Berlin's regular citizen service centers has noticeably improved in recent months , leading to a decrease in demand directly at the BIS location. While this appears from an administrative perspective to be a logical consolidation and a positive side effect of digitalization, it nevertheless leaves a painful gap in the practical application of international personnel recruitment.

For international professionals and their families , the BIS service meant absolute planning security. Especially for expats from the USA , Canada, or the UK , who are often accustomed to streamlined digital processes, the integrated citizens' registration office was a godsend. It prevented highly paid specialists from having to wait weeks for appointments at regular district offices. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the staff there. Their professionalism, patience, and dedication have made it easier for thousands of international professionals to get started in Berlin and have significantly contributed to positioning the city as an attractive location for global capital and talent.

How does the process for family reunification and skilled worker immigration now work?

With the discontinuation of the integrated service, HR managers and international professionals need to rethink their approach. The obligation to register within two weeks of moving in (§ 17 para. 1 BMG) remains fully in effect. This means that newly arrived young professionals, researchers, and their families must now revert to the standard registration process through the Berlin district citizen service centers .

This can lead to logistical challenges, especially in cases of family reunification under Section 29 of the German Residence Act. If the primary applicant has their documents reviewed by the employer service of the State Office for Immigration ( LEA ), but the family has to book separate appointments at the often overburdened citizens' registration offices to register their residence , the valuable "one-stop shop" approach is lost. Companies must now plan for significantly more lead time as part of their global mobility strategies and guide their employees more closely through the traditional bureaucratic maze.

What hurdles do employers and expats now have to consider?

The biggest challenge for international recruiting now lies in coordinating the timing. Since registering a residence is the foundation for obtaining a final residence permit for employment purposes (e.g., according to Section 18 Paragraph 2 of the German Residence Act), delays at the residents' registration office can dangerously postpone the new employee's actual start date.

Employers should urgently adapt their internal onboarding processes to the new situation. It is advisable to initiate appointment bookings with the regular citizens' registration offices weeks before the actual arrival of the new employee from the USA , Canada, or Great Britain . Furthermore, the correct issuance of the landlord's confirmation of residence according to Section 19 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG) is becoming increasingly important, as errors at regular authorities are less likely to be resolved pragmatically than was the case with the specialized Citizen Information System (BIS).

How can our law firm help you with these bureaucratic changes?

As a law firm specializing in visa law and corporate immigration, we guide companies and international professionals through these complex procedures on a daily basis. Even though the excellent service provided by BIS is now a thing of the past, this doesn't mean your relocation processes have to come to a standstill. We'll handle the bureaucratic hurdles for you and ensure your onboarding infrastructure is in place.

We support HR departments in the strategic planning of employee secondments , handle communication with the relevant immigration authorities , and ensure that both the employee and their accompanying family members meet all legal requirements, from registration to residence permit , within the required timeframe. With our expertise in visa law, we guide your talent safely through Berlin's evolving bureaucratic landscape.

Conclusion

The closure of the citizen registration office at the Business Immigration Service in Berlin is a significant setback for the capital's welcoming culture. Even if improved appointment availability in the districts formally justifies the closure, it represents a loss of urgently needed service orientation for the international business community. Companies, expats, and highly motivated professionals from around the world will now need to plan even more meticulously. However, with the right legal support and a forward-looking strategy, these new hurdles can be successfully overcome, ensuring that Berlin remains a magnet for global talent.