State Office for Immigration acknowledges increase in appointment problems

Complaints about the Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) are on the rise . Particularly serious is the fact that appointments are frequently delayed for months – sometimes with existential consequences for those affected. The Berlin Migration Council reports increasingly escalating cases in which people receive no response from the LEA despite multiple attempts to contact them.

Increase in complaints: job loss, housing shortage and lack of social benefits

According to the Migration Council, those affected have been reporting for months that their appointment requests have been ignored and that they have to wait months for responses. The consequences can be dramatic : jeopardized employment, financial hardship, or even the threat of homelessness. The problem is not new. As early as 2023, LEA (State Office for Migration and Refugees) appointments were being sold en masse on the black market. Since then, the agency has been trying to manage all inquiries exclusively through an online contact form – apparently with limited success.

Why the LEA is overloaded

With four locations, 846 employees, and hundreds of thousands of cases per year, the LEA (State Reception Center for Immigration and Asylum) is Germany's largest immigration authority . In addition to students and skilled workers, the agency has been assisting a large number of Ukrainian war refugees since 2022 and is also processing increasing numbers of naturalization applications. LEA Director Engelhard Mazanke confirms the overload: appointment requests "get stuck in the system," especially at the beginning of the semester. He admits: "The criticism from the Migration Council is justified." At the same time, he points to efficiency improvements: by the end of 2025, the LEA is expected to have conducted 545,000 personal consultations – an increase of 72% compared to 2020.

Digitalization helps – but emergencies still get lost in the shuffle.

Digitally submitted applications now automatically lead to confirmation of the continued validity of a residence permit. Temporary residence permits are also supposed to be issued quickly in genuine emergencies – for example, if a job is at risk. However, according to the Migration Council, this emergency management system is not working reliably. Despite multiple emergency reports with proof of rent arrears, the LEA (State Reception Center) did not respond for weeks. The Migration Council emphasizes that a lack of response from the LEA often means the loss of rights for those affected – employment , housing , health insurance , or social benefits depend directly on a simple official response. "If the office is unreachable, fundamental rights are effectively denied," the statement reads.

Possible solutions: less bureaucracy instead of more staff

LEA Director Mazanke considers hiring more staff unrealistic given Berlin's budget situation. Instead, he calls for the elimination of unnecessary review processes. The federal government is also planning reforms: A new central "Work and Stay" agency is intended to expedite visa procedures for students and skilled workers.

For example, when skilled workers change employers, they currently face additional checks by the LEA (State Employment Agency) and the employment agency. According to Mazanke, these procedures unnecessarily tie up resources and slow down the entire system.

Conclusion: Those affected need legal certainty – and clear procedures in emergencies.

The situation at the LEA Berlin demonstrates how vulnerable people are during the residency process when authorities are overwhelmed. For those affected, it is crucial to act early, document evidence thoroughly, and seek legal support if necessary.

VISAGUARD accompanies you through the process: from assessing the urgency to preparing complete documents – so that you can get to your appointment and your legally secure residence permit faster.