The Problem
For several years now, many individuals have reported serious difficulties in communicating with the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde):
Emails remain unanswered, phone calls are not returned, and appointments are either not available at all or booked out for months. Access to the office is usually only possible with a prior appointment.
Emergency Appointments and Case Prioritization
Some Immigration Offices have introduced procedures for granting emergency appointments. These are usually reserved for particularly urgent cases – for example, when a residence permit is about to expire or international travel is imminent.
The following applications are often not considered urgent:
Applications for permanent residency
Applications for family reunification
Naturalization procedures
Such applications are currently being postponed in many offices, resulting in long processing times.
Changing Circumstances During the Waiting Period
Due to extended processing times, applicants’ financial circumstances often change between the time of submission and the decision – especially in the case of a job change. In such cases, applicants are required to provide updated financial documentation, essentially starting the process over again.
This is often very frustrating for those affected.
Faster Processing Through Complete Submissions
For applications regarding permanent residence, family reunification or naturalization, faster processing is generally only possible if all required documents are submitted completely and in an organized manner from the start.
An immigration lawyer can assist with:
Assembling the necessary documents
Reviewing formal requirements
Avoiding delays caused by requests for missing information
As a last resort, a legal action for administrative inaction (Untätigkeitsklage) before the administrative court may be an option.
Conclusion
Significant delays should still be expected when dealing with many Foreigners’ Offices.
Applicants should act early and submit complete documentation. In urgent cases, legal assistance can help accelerate the process or initiate necessary legal steps – including, if needed, a formal complaint before the administrative court.
Dragisa Andjelkovic
Rechtsanwalt
