Which departments does the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin have?

The Berlin State Office for Immigration is the central point of contact for people who want to enter Germany or stay here permanently. To outsiders, its structure often appears complex , but the organization follows clear principles of responsibility . In practice, your nationality often determines which department is responsible for your case. However, there are exceptions: For certain matters, such as asylum procedures, the EU Blue Card , or specific visa issues, nationality is not relevant .

Note from the lawyer: Submitting documents to the "wrong" department does not affect the effectiveness or validity of the submission. The authority as a whole is entitled to receive them. While submitting documents to the wrong department or the wrong case worker may create additional administrative work, this does not affect the validity of the submission. The authority is therefore responsible for ensuring that it is organized in such a way that it can utilize all available channels of receipt (see Section 3a of the Administrative Procedure Act ).

Section A: Asylum Procedures

The A departments are primarily responsible for liaising with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) . They handle residency-related issues within the context of asylum procedures. Therefore, anyone undergoing asylum proceedings or needing clarification on legal matters concerning tolerated stay will be assisted by departments A2, A3, or A4. These departments also serve as the point of contact for individuals whose status is still pending.

Section R: Repatriations

The R departments have a completely different task: they are responsible for returns (i.e., deportations). For most people, this means they will only have direct contact with them in specific cases. From a legal perspective, cooperation with the R departments is very demanding, as they work relatively rigorously and consistently towards terminating a person's residency.

Section B: Professionals, students and scientists

The B departments are particularly relevant for international professionals , students , trainees , and researchers, as well as their family members . Applications for the EU Blue Card or other residence permits for qualified professionals are processed here. Extensions of Schengen visas (Department B 5) and general visa procedures (Department B 7) are also handled by these departments. For people who want to work or study in Germany, the B departments are often the most important point of contact.

Department F: Residence permits specific to nationality

For certain residence permits, jurisdiction depends on nationality . The F departments often assist people from allied countries, such as freelancers from the USA or people from Great Britain , who are applying for a permanent residence permit.

Department S: Naturalization / Citizenship

The S departments, on the other hand, are specifically responsible for naturalization procedures . Here, applications for German citizenship are reviewed and processed, including all necessary evidence and documents. Anyone wishing to acquire German citizenship will therefore be assisted by the S departments and should expect a thorough examination of all documents.

Conclusion Explanations Departments LEA

For foreign skilled workers, students, or family members, it is crucial to know the right contacts at the State Office for Immigration. Understanding the structure allows for more efficient coordination of requests and avoids unnecessary delays . As a lawyer, I advise finding out in advance which departments are responsible for which matters and seeking professional advice in complex cases. This makes overcoming bureaucratic hurdles significantly easier.