LEA Berlin is back online: Online applications are working again

Update: August 25, 2026 | VISAGUARD.Berlin

After several days of technical problems, the online services of the Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) are available again . The temporary outage primarily affected the LEA website and various online application processes. This caused problems and uncertainty for many applicants, as applications could not be submitted via the intended digital procedures for a period of time.

The all-clear has now been given: According to a recent announcement from the State Office for Immigration, online applications are working again.

"Online service is working again. The tests were successful, so the online application is available again." Status: August 25, 2026, 2:00 PM

This means that the affected digital application procedures can generally be used again.

What happened to the LEA website?

For several days, parts of the digital infrastructure of the Berlin State Office for Immigration were either unavailable or only partially accessible. The fact that online application processes were also affected was particularly problematic.

This has become highly practical. The LEA (State Office for Migration and Refugees) relies on digital applications for many residency-related procedures. Anyone wishing to apply for or extend a residence permit, for example, is therefore often dependent on the functionality of the online systems.

The temporary disruption led to confusion: applicants had partially prepared their documents completely, but were unable to submit the application via the intended online procedure.

Are the online applications at LEA working again?

Yes. Following the official notification from the LEA on August 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM, the technical tests were successfully completed and the online application was reactivated.

Anyone who was unable to submit an application in recent days due to technical problems should therefore access the relevant application process again and submit their application as soon as possible.

After successful application submission, the corresponding confirmation of receipt should also be saved. Screenshots or other evidence of successful transmission can also be useful.

What should those affected do now?

Anyone who attempted to submit an application during the outage should retain any screenshots, error messages, or other evidence of the technical failure . This is especially important if a crucial immigration-related deadline expired during the outage or if their existing residence permit was about to expire.

Those affected should also not automatically assume that a technical failure of the LEA (State Office for Migration and Refugees) will extend existing visas or residence permits. Especially when applying for an extension in a timely manner, the timing and proof of application can be legally relevant.

Now that the online systems are working again, it is therefore recommended to submit any applications that were previously not possible as soon as possible .

Digitalization at the Berlin State Office for Immigration

This incident also demonstrates how crucial digital systems have become for residency law in Berlin. Numerous applications are now processed online. If these systems malfunction, it can have a direct impact on thousands of foreign skilled workers, students, family members, and employers in Berlin.

From VISAGUARD's point of view, it is therefore particularly important in time-critical procedures to carefully document the application process and any potential technical problems.

VISAGUARD.Berlin is a Berlin law firm specializing in visa and immigration law . We advise and represent foreign professionals, companies, students, and families in residency proceedings and have extensive experience with cases before the Berlin State Office for Immigration.