Registration at the Office for Foreigners (Ausländerbehörde or Ausländeramt) This section refers to a step-by-step guide to obtaining a residence permit.
The Foreigners' Authority (Ausländerbehörde) The Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Authority) is the government office responsible for all matters related to the stay of foreign nationals in Germany. This includes:
Issuing and extending visas and residence permits (Aufenthaltstitel).
Issuing documents, such as the electronic residence permit card (eAT).
Taking fingerprints for identification and documentation purposes.
Your main task after moving to Germany is to secure an appointment with the authority of the city where you are registered as a resident (Anmeldung). You cannot apply at the authority of another city; the responsible office is determined by your registered address.
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking an Appointment (Termin vereinbaren)
Step 0: Preparation (Do This Immediately After Moving)
Register your address (Anmeldung). This is the absolute first step and a prerequisite for almost any appointment with the Ausländerbehörde. Without the registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung), you may not even be able to book an appointment, as you won't yet be registered in the city's system.
Find your specific office. In large cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, there are multiple offices responsible for different districts. Search for [Your City] Ausländerbehörde to find the website for your specific local office.
Gather your documents. Ensure you have all available documents ready (passport, visa, application forms, rental contract, work contract, health insurance, etc.) to avoid delays when the appointment is confirmed.
Step 1: Finding the Online Booking System
Visit the official website of your city or search for Bürgeramt + [your city].
Look for the section labeled "Bürgeramt" or "Ausländerbehörde".
Search for the button or link "Termin vereinbaren" (book an appointment) or "Online-Terminbuchung".
Important: Always use official websites with the .de domain. Be cautious of third-party services that may charge for booking appointments—many cities, like Berlin, have discontinued their public booking systems specifically to combat such providers.
Step 2: The Booking Process1. Select the Service You will be asked to choose the reason for your visit. Common options include:
Antrag auf Fiktionsbescheinigung (Application for a certificate confirming the continued validity of your residence status while a new card is being processed)
2. Choose a Date and Time
Free slots, especially in larger cities, are often scarce and can be taken within minutes.
Appointments can be booked up to 8 weeks before the expiry date of your current residence permit. In some departments, free appointments may only be available several months in advance.
3. Enter Your Details You will need to provide your personal information: first name, last name, date of birth, address, your case number (Aktenzeichen) if you already have one, email address, and phone number. 4. Confirm the Booking You will receive a confirmation (Terminbestätigung) via email with your booking number, date, time, and the office address. This confirmation serves as your entry ticket—print it out or save it on your phone.
What to Do if No Appointment is Available ("Keine freien Termine") This is the most common challenge. Here are some strategies based on practical experience:
Check at specific times. Many users report that new slots appear early in the morning (between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM) or around midnight. For example, Stuttgart's online system releases new appointments for its service point daily at 8:00 AM (except Thursdays, when they are released at 9:00 AM).
Refresh the page (F5 method). People cancel appointments throughout the day, so slots can appear at any time. You can also try using multiple browsers to increase your chances.
Use the official emergency process. If you have an urgent problem (e.g., your visa expires in a few days and you have no appointment), do not just book a regular appointment.
Stuttgart: You can apply for an emergency appointment online if your residence permit or Fiktionsbescheinigung has already expired or will expire within the next seven days.
Berlin: The State Office for Immigration (LEA) has completely stopped its old online booking system. Now, appointments are generally scheduled directly by the responsible department after an online application is submitted. For emergencies, you must use the contact form to request a "Notfall-Termin" and provide proof of the emergency, such as a travel booking or a letter from your employer stating that you are at risk of losing your job.
Telephone. Try calling the number listed on the website. Be prepared for long waiting times and clearly state: "Ich brauche einen Termin für die Aufenthaltserlaubnis. Es gibt keine freie Termine online." ("I need an appointment for a residence permit. There are no free appointments online."). In some cities, like Essen, many services can only be booked via phone.
Email inquiry. Many offices provide a contact email address. Write a polite message in German or English explaining your situation. For instance, in Wiesbaden, you must use the official online contact form, and the department will get back to you after several weeks.
In-person visit (as a last resort). While some cities allow you to walk in for specific services, most appointments for general matters are strictly online. For example, Berlin explicitly states that walk-in visits are generally not possible. It is not recommended for initial applications but might be useful for specific local services.
Registration confirmation (Anmeldebestätigung) – this proves you are officially registered at your address.
Current biometric photo (passport-style, meeting the official requirements). Since May 1, 2025, biometric photos for the electronic residence permit (eAT) must be submitted digitally, so ensure you have a digital version or the QR code from the photographer.
Completed application form (Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels). The specific form is usually available for download on the website of your local authority.
All documents relevant to your purpose of stay:
For work: Employment contract, employer's declaration (Beschäftigungserklärung), payslips (if available). For study: University confirmation, blocked account statement (Sperrkonto). For family reunification: Marriage certificate, spouse's passport, income statements. 7 Health insurance (Krankenversicherung). 8 Cash or bank card for the fee (approx. €50–100). The fee for the residence permit is typically around €100, with additional costs for the eAT card.
STEP 3: Submitting Your Documents At the appointment, the following will happen:
You submit your documents. The officer will check them for completeness.
Your fingerprints will be taken (if this is your first time receiving a card, or if your existing eAT card is being updated).
The fee is calculated, and you will be given a receipt for payment (usually via a terminal at the office).
You will be informed when your card is expected to be ready (usually 4–6 weeks, although the actual production time can take around 6–8 weeks). You will receive a letter with the PIN codes for your card, and later a notification that the card is ready for collection. You must pick it up in person.
Key Advice Start trying to book an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde immediately after receiving your Anmeldebestätigung, even if your national visa is still valid for several months. Waiting times can be extremely long, and the process requires patience and persistence. In Berlin, for example, the booking system has been changed to an online application process. You must submit an online application, and the authority will then contact you to schedule an appointment. New appointments for the LEA service center are released every day at 7:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
About the Application Form There is no single national form for the residence permit application. You must find the specific form for your city. Search for: "Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels" + [your city] Examples of forms for Berlin, Munich, and Aschaffenburg are available online. If you cannot find the form, email the office and request the current form to be sent to you.
For example, here is a form for Berlin, Munich, Aschaffenburg
How to Fill Out the Form
Fill it out on a computer (if it is an editable PDF) or print it and fill it out in legible block letters in German.
Do not leave fields empty. If a question does not apply to you, put a dash (—) or write "entfällt" (does not apply) / "nicht zutreffend" (not applicable).
Do not sign it in advance! The form often must be signed in the presence of the official.
