New digitization law: Fewer appointments with authorities for residence permits, visas and naturalization

Who his Anyone who needs to renew their residence permit in Berlin knows the ritual: find an appointment, wait for weeks, appear in person – and then submit fingerprints, a photo, and a signature that the authorities already recorded two years ago. This is precisely where a law comes in that sounds like pure administrative procedure and, with its name "Migration Administration Digitalization Development Act" (MDWG), isn't exactly inviting to read. The Bundestag passed it on July 9, 2026, and it was published in the Federal Law Gazette on July 28, 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 222). The first regulations are already in effect. As a law firm that deals with the daily State Office for Immigration ( LEA ), others Working with immigration authorities and German diplomatic missions abroad, we say clearly: This law is one of the most practically relevant improvements of recent years – precisely because it doesn't make big headlines.

What does the new law on the digitalization of migration administration regulate?

The MDWG (Law on the Modernization of the Law on Foreigners and Integration) primarily amends the Law on the Central Register of Foreigners (AZRG), the Residence Act (AufenthG), and the Residence Ordinance. The underlying principle is that data should be collected once and then used by all relevant authorities, instead of being requested again at each stage of the process. The Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) will be expanded into a central data hub for this purpose – for identity data, biometric data, documents from the visa application process, and, in the future, also for language and naturalization tests. For international skilled workers , their For families and the HR departments that bring them to Germany, this means one thing above all: fewer trips to government offices and less duplicate documentation.

Why will the biometrics appointment at the immigration office be eliminated in the future?

The electronic residence permit (eAT) is a chip card with a photograph and fingerprints. Previously, each renewal required a new card and thus a new biometric data collection – this obligation arises from Section 82 Paragraph 5 of the Residence Act. The newly worded Section 82 Paragraph 5 of the Residence Act allows the The immigration authorities now explicitly permit the reuse of photographs, fingerprints, and signatures for the reissuance of temporary residence permits. According to the adopted version, the data can be stored for up to ten years for adults and for minors. Data will be stored for children up to five years of age. This regulation has been in effect since the day after its announcement.

In practice, this is a real step forward. In Berlin, the bottleneck isn't the legal review, but the appointment. Those who don't get one often live for months with a temporary residence permit under Section 81 Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act – with noticeable consequences when traveling. Apartment hunting or changing jobs. Two limitations you should be aware of: The law grants an entitlement, not an obligation. Whether and from when your Whether the immigration office actually waives the appointment depends on its technical implementation. Furthermore, in the case of... Children or those with significantly changed appearance will still be required to provide a new photograph, and the issuing of the card will generally remain a personal visit to the authorities for the time being.

What changes are there regarding the visa and the visa application process?

The principle of reuse will also apply to visa applications in the future. According to the new Section 49 Paragraph 6a of the Residence Act, photographs and fingerprints taken by a German diplomatic mission abroad during an application for a national visa can be reused. Fingerprints collected on a visa can be used again for a subsequent application within five years. Visas will be revoked from the age of six – relevant for Families who are with Follow in the footsteps of children .

From November 1, 2026, important documents from the visa application process will also be stored digitally: Employment contracts , certificates of education and studies, civil status documents, as well as proof of language skills and means of subsistence are required. Declarations of commitment are also recorded. Today we regularly see that a skilled worker from the USA or Great Britain has submitted all documents to the embassy and that LEA requests the exact same documents again after entry – including apostille and translation. This duplication of effort should be eliminated. Conversely, however, what you submitted during the visa application process is also available to the The immigration office will be directly involved in future proceedings. Discrepancies between the visa application and the subsequent application for... Residence permits are therefore immediately noticeable.

How much time is left after losing a job?

Of particular importance in terms of content is a change to Section 18 of the Residence Act, which has little to do with digitalization, but many This concerns skilled workers . In the case of a temporary contract... Under an employment contract, the residence permit will now be valid for the duration of the contract plus six months instead of the previous three. If the employment relationship ends prematurely, there will be at least six months to find a new job. Those who have worked under exploitative conditions will receive at least nine months. However, the permit will not be extended beyond its originally intended validity period. This change is due to the implementation of the revised EU Directive on combined permits (Directive ( EU ) 2024/1233).

This is an important planning factor for HR departments. The employer must report the early termination within four weeks in accordance with Section 4a Paragraph 5 Sentence 3 No. 3 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), and the The immigration authority can subsequently shorten the validity period according to Section 7 Paragraph 2 Sentence 2 of the Residence Act. The new minimum period provides reliability in this regard. For holders of a The EU Blue Card has its own rules, which must be examined on a case-by-case basis.

What does the law mean for naturalization and family benefits?

From May 1, 2028, the results of the German language test for immigrants (DTZ), the "Living in Germany" test, and the naturalization test will be stored in the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR). The naturalization authority can then access them directly instead of checking original certificates. This will expedite the verification of the requirements under Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Numbers 6 and 7 of the Nationality Act (StAG). From November 1, 2027, family benefits offices and parental allowance offices will also be able to access information on residency status. Since the entitlement to child benefit for foreigners under Section 62 Paragraph 2 of the Income Tax Act (EStG) depends on the residence permit, this should streamline processing for Significantly shorten family life .

Are there any downsides?

More centrally stored data also means greater transparency for the authorities. In the future, social benefits such as citizen's income, social assistance, and child support advances will also be stored in the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR), and information from criminal proceedings will be digitally transmitted to the authorities. Transmitted to immigration authorities . For most high earners For skilled workers, this is not a problem. However, anyone who has received benefits for a short period, for example after losing their job, should be aware that the authorities will take this into account when reviewing their benefits. This provides for the purpose of securing one's livelihood in accordance with Section 5 Paragraph 1 Number 1 of the Residence Act. You can find out what data is stored about you by submitting a request for information in accordance with Section 34 of the Residence Act and Article 15 of the GDPR.

Why do we as a law firm welcome this reform?

Quite frankly, it's also in our own interest. A significant portion of our work has so far consisted of organizing appointments, resubmitting documents, and chasing after authorities by phone. Eliminating these inefficiencies frees up more time for the actual legal issues, and your cases will be processed more quickly. At the same time, digitalization doesn't replace strategy. The new powers will be implemented at different speeds depending on the authority, and during the transition period, old and new practices will coexist. Those who wait or rely solely on standard checklists often only notice discrepancies between their visa and residence permit files when they receive a letter of inquiry. We have handled hundreds of cases before the LEA and the foreign missions will accompany you and ensure that your documents are consistent from the start.

Conclusion

The MDWG is not a major political project, but rather a piece of solid administrative modernization – and precisely for that reason valuable. Fewer biometric appointments, no duplicate submission of visa documents, digital test certificates for the Naturalization and more time after job loss make Germany more attractive to international clients. Skilled workers become more attractive. The downside is a transparent file system where discrepancies are noticed more quickly. We support companies and Experts are helping to take advantage of the new law and to set up procedures properly from the start.