Residence permits from the State Office for Immigration can now also be sent by post.

The international competition for top talent is in full swing, and Germany is increasingly positioning itself as an attractive destination for highly qualified academics, expats, and young professionals. However, those moving to Berlin from the USA , Canada, or the UK for studies , starting a business, or a high-paying job often encounter bureaucratic hurdles in the area of corporate immigration. The skilled worker is already integrated into the company, the human resources department has pulled out all the stops, and yet the smooth transition often fails due to a trivial but essential detail: the physical receipt of the electronic residence permit (eAT) . While German citizens can conveniently receive official documents by mail under certain conditions, foreign skilled workers and their families have often had to wait months for appointments or stand in line for hours to pick up their residence permits. A recent development, however, shows that persistent legal action against rigid bureaucratic structures is paying off.

Why was the postal delivery of residence permits in Berlin blocked until now?

A closer look at the law reveals a surprising discrepancy between theory and practice. The legal basis, specifically Section 60a Paragraph 2 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) , explicitly stipulates that a residence permit issued in electronic form (eAT) can be sent directly by the Federal Printing Office to the applicant's home address via mail . This regulation was created to minimize the bureaucratic burden of global mobility management and significantly facilitate international recruiting for employers. In reality, however, hardly any German immigration authorities made use of this service. The Berlin State Office for Immigration ( LEA ) also persistently refused to offer this service – presumably out of unfounded concerns about misuse, identity theft, or delivery errors. As recently as May 2025, the authority's internal management team adopted a restrictive policy of categorically refusing mailings, even at the express request of the applicant. A tentative pilot project in February 2026 was discontinued after a short time. As a specialized law firm for visa law, we have always classified this blanket refusal for what it is: an unlawful administrative practice that unnecessarily burdens highly skilled immigrants.

What caused the sudden change of course at LEA Berlin?

That this deadlocked situation is finally being resolved is thanks to the strategic and tireless initiative of our esteemed colleague, attorney Dr. Sebastian Klaus . He addressed this injustice in the interest of the rule of law and set the regulatory levers in motion. With success: The Senate Department for the Interior and Sport, as the responsible regulatory authority, has officially announced that the Berlin Immigration Office (LEA Berlin) had to change its restrictive administrative practice regarding Section 60a Paragraph 2 of the Residence Ordinance. The LEA Berlin has overturned the unlawful practice and will, in the future, send residence permits by mail upon request. For expats from North America or the United Kingdom, as well as for HR departments managing the onboarding process of foreign employees, this decision represents a potential milestone for modern corporate immigration. The right of choice granted to applicants by law must no longer be denied them through arbitrary administrative action.

What hurdles do employers and skilled workers now need to keep in mind?

Although this breakthrough is a resounding victory for global mobility on paper, a healthy dose of skepticism remains warranted in legal practice . It remains to be seen whether the Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) can manage this organizational and digital transformation across the board, or whether it will initially amount to little more than a formal change "on paper." Experienced HR managers and wealthy immigration authorities know that the Berlin administration often needs time to implement new processes flawlessly. Family reunification , which is closely tied to the granting and maintenance of the residence permits of the primary beneficiaries, must not be jeopardized by delays in postal delivery. Furthermore, the question arises as to how the Federal Printing Office and postal service providers will implement secure identity verification during delivery in order to comply with data protection regulations.

How should one react to ongoing problems with the immigration authorities?

Despite the official directive from the supervisory authority, some friction is to be expected during the transition period. If you, as an employer, encounter blanket resistance directly at the LEA Berlin ( State Office for Immigration and Asylum) when applying for asylum for your international specialists or as a young professional, you do not have to accept this passively. The right to postal delivery of documents under Section 60a Paragraph 2 of the German Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) is now officially recognized and can be legally enforced. As a law firm, we support companies and expats in effectively asserting these rights against the immigration authorities, so that you can focus on a successful start in Germany.

Conclusion

The forced abandonment of the LEA Berlin's unlawful practice of sending electronic residence permits (eAT cards) by mail clearly demonstrates that German immigration law is not a legal vacuum for administrative decisions. This sends an important signal to talent from the USA , Canada, and the UK , enhancing Berlin's attractiveness as a location for international recruiting . Nevertheless, businesses and immigrants must closely monitor the actual implementation in the coming months. We will keep you informed, monitor the administrative situation, and, as a law firm, assist you with all legal questions and issues related to your residence permit and corporate immigration.