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Residence permits in Berlin: how the LEA works

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This page only covers what is different in Berlin. The rules, documents and deadlines are the same everywhere — see the national guide: Residence permit.

In shortIn Berlin, residence permits are handled by the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). Its old online booking system is gone. For work, study and permanent residence you apply online, and the LEA gives you an appointment after checking your documents. For anything else, use the contact form. Extensions can be requested at the earliest 8 weeks before your permit expires.
On this page
  1. Who handles it
  2. No open booking calendar
  3. Urgent cases
  4. Practical tips for Berlin
  5. Berlin at a glance

Who handles it

Berlin has one immigration authority for the whole city: the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA), the State Office for Immigration. Unlike many cities, it is not split by district. Its website has a full English version.

No open booking calendar

The LEA has shut down its old online appointment system (OTV). You cannot book a free slot in a calendar any more. Instead:

  1. Apply online if your case is one the LEA handles digitally. The LEA then checks your documents and gives you an appointment if one is needed. This applies to:
    • residence permits for employment
    • residence permits for study and training
    • permanent residence (settlement permits)
    • declarations of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) Since 2026, online applications are also open for family-related permits.
  2. Use the contact form of the responsible LEA department for other matters.

Urgent cases

The LEA accepts urgent requests through the contact form (choose "urgent appointment/emergency") only in these cases:

  • you must travel within the next four weeks and can prove it
  • you risk losing your job without a valid document (employer letter needed)
  • your benefits would stop (letter from the Jobcenter or welfare office needed)

A plain wish to travel, or impatience, does not count. If your permit runs out while your application is pending, see the Fiktionsbescheinigung section in the national guide.

Practical tips for Berlin

  • Collect everything before you apply. The online route only works quickly if the upload is complete. Missing documents mean more back-and-forth.
  • Keep your confirmation. Save the confirmation or reference number from your online application or contact form. You will need it for any follow-up.
  • Blue Card and skilled workers: the steps are the same as for other employment permits (apply online). See the Blue Card guide for the requirements.
  • Free advice: the Willkommenszentrum Berlin (Berlin Welcome Centre) offers free, multilingual advice on residence and other topics for skilled workers, students, families and refugees. It is an advice centre, not the authority, so it cannot issue permits.

Berlin at a glance

Topic Berlin
Authority Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA), citywide
English website Yes
Booking calendar No (old system shut down)
Work, study, settlement Online application, then an appointment if needed
Other matters Contact form
Earliest extension request 8 weeks before expiry

Official Berlin sources

Rules can change. These are the pages we checked — they have the final word. How we check facts

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