FAQ Coronavirus

Frequently Asked Questions about Visa Service and residence permit
 

Is the Visa Service open?



Is the Berlin Immigration Office open and can I go there myself?



I have not been able to book an appointment at LEA for a long time. Can you book one for me?



I would like to apply for a new residence permit via Visa Service. How does this procedure work in pandemic times?



How can I apply for the granting/extension of the residence permit for the purpose of study at LEA myself without an appointment?



I have British citizenship and already live in Berlin. What do I need to consider?



I am a British citizen and need to go to Berlin for study. Unfortunately, it is currently problematic to apply for a D-visa. What should I do?



​In which cases may I enter Germany without a D-visa for the purpose of studying?



I have to fly home urgently, and my residence permit has already expired/is about to expire. What should I do?



I need to transfer my residence title from my old passport to a new one at the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung - LEA). Can I apply for it at the Visa Service?



My passport with my valid residence title has been stolen or I have lost my passport with my valid residence title (e.g. residence permit, visa). What should I do?



I am in Germany, and I have a temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltsgestattung), temporary leave to remain (Duldung), certificate to cross the border (Grenzübertrittsbescheinigung), a certificate according to section 84, para. 2 of the AufenhaltsG (so-called L 4048 certificate) or passport collection certificate (Passeinzugsbescheinigung). What do I have to do?



I study in Berlin and have a residence permit, but I am currently in my home country. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, I will be staying in my home country longer than planned, which is in the Federal Republic of Germany's best interest (infection protection). Will my residence permit lose its validity after six months?



I study in Berlin and have a valid residence permit. I am currently in my home country. What do I have to do, if my residence permit expires before I want to return to Germany?



My residence permit was cancelled, and I received a letter (Hearing) from LEA instead. What should I do?



I have a valid residence permit for the purpose of studies and have successfully completed my studies. I would now like to work. What do I have to do?



Do you offer assistance in applying for a residence permit for the purpose of work?


 

Is the Visa Service open?

Due to the policies to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Visa Service is closed until further notice and is in online consultation. However, we will continue to answer your questions via e-mail and during a weekly Zoom consultation. ► hu.berlin/visaservice-en
 

Is the Berlin Immigration Office open and can I go there myself?

The Berlin Immigration Office (LEA - Landesamt für Einwanderung) has reopened all its locations, but until further notice only customers who have booked an appointment will be served.
► www.berlin.de/einwanderung/en/services/appointments 
 

 
Unfortunately, we cannot offer you an appointment at LEA. However, if you wish, you can apply for the granting/extension of the residence permit for the purpose of study via our office. You can find a description of the procedure on our website.
 
 

I would like to apply for a new residence permit via Visa Service. How does this procedure work in pandemic times?

You have to speak to us during our Zoom consultation hours and after that send us your complete documents in one PDF file by e-mail (except for the biometric photo). A few weeks later, after we have submitted your documents, you will receive an invitation to an appointment at the Berlin Immigration Office. You have to appear there in person to prove your identity with your passport, give your fingerprints and biometric photo as well as pay the fees.
 

How can I apply for the granting/extension of the residence permit for the purpose of study at LEA myself without an appointment?

Please, prepare one pdf file with all documents listed on our website exclusive Application from the HU and data privacy statement In the e-mail, it must be clearly specified what you are applying for.
 

I have British citizenship and already live in Berlin. What do I need to consider?

If you are a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement and want to continue living in Berlin, you must register online with Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung) by 30 June 2021 at the latest (so-called notification of residence -"Aufenthaltsanzeige").

Important: Have you already registered online with the LEA before 13.11.2020? Then you do not need to register again. You have thereby indicated your residence.


I am a British citizen and need to go to Berlin for study. Unfortunately, it is currently problematic to apply for a D-visa. What should I do?

You are allowed to travel to Berlin for study purposes without a D-visa. Once you are in Germany, you must apply for a residence permit at the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung) within 90 days of your entry. You can also do this through our Visa Service.

 
 
Applicants for university studies from the following countries do not require a visa to enter Germany: 
 
Applicants from these countries must, however, apply for a residence permit after entering Germany.

 

I have to fly home urgently, and my residence permit has already expired/is about to expire. What should I do?

You can apply for a fictitious certificate at the same time as you apply for a new residence title. In this case, we also need a copy of your flight ticket. This must be submitted to us together with other documents at least 14 days before your departure.


I need to transfer my residence title from my old passport to a new one at the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung - LEA). Can I apply for it at the Visa Service?

Yes, you can. In this case, we need copies of both your passports (pages with personal data) and a copy of your last residence title with the additional sheet sent to us by e-mail in one PDF file. Within approx. 2 weeks you will receive an appointment at the LEA for the transfer of your residence title.
 

My passport with my valid residence title has been stolen or I have lost my passport with my valid residence title (e.g. residence permit, visa). What should I do?

  • Please contact your embassy about the loss of your passport. Of course, this does not apply if you were in possession of a German travel document issued for refugees, stateless persons or foreigners. In these cases, please contact the relevant department responsible for you by e-mail.
  • If your embassy requires confirmation of an existing right of residence in Germany or if you already have a new passport, please also contact the relevant department responsible for you.
  • In case of passport theft, please also include a copy of your police report of the theft in your submission. ► Source

 

I am in Germany, and I have a temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltsgestattung), temporary leave to remain (Duldung), certificate to cross the border (Grenzübertrittsbescheinigung), a certificate according to section 84, para. 2 of the AufenhaltsG (so-called L 4048 certificate) or passport collection certificate (Passeinzugsbescheinigung). What do I have to do?

In this case, please fill out the online form of the Berlin Immigration Office. Through this registration, the Berlin Immigration Office will send you a certificate and, as soon as the regular business operations have been completely restored, an appointment (for the issuance of a residence permit as an adhesive label in your passport).
 

I study in Berlin and have a residence permit, but I am currently in my home country. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, I will be staying in my home country longer than planned, which is in the Federal Republic of Germany's best interest (infection protection). Will my residence permit lose its validity after six months?

The six-month period will be extended until 30 June 2021 for foreigners who exited Germany's federal territory between 18 September 2019 and 17 March 2020 and will not re-enter Germany within six months. This only applies if your residence permit will still be valid on the date of re-entry. General Decree with regard to the German Residency Act (AufenthG): ► Source.
 

I study in Berlin and have a valid residence permit. I am currently in my home country. What do I have to do, if my residence permit expires before I want to return to Germany?

In this case it is necessary to apply anew for a re-entry visa on the basis of the current residence permit. It is not possible to re-enter Germany without a valid visa or a valid residence permit.

Additionally, it is possible to contact department B4. Your request will be processed as quickly as possible and, if necessary, they will send either a pre-approval or a fictional certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) to the responsible foreign representation. However, this only applies to departures until 16.06.2020. ► Source.
 

My residence permit was cancelled, and I received a letter (Hearing) from LEA instead. What should I do?

Before the granting/extension of the residence permit is rejected, the involved applicant must be heard. The hearing offers the opportunity to present circumstances that speak in defence of the applicant. A written reply to such a letter must be prepared and sent to LEA by the given deadline. We can support you in such a case if you contact us as soon as possible, at least 7 days before the deadline.

 

I have a valid residence permit for the purpose of studies and have successfully completed my studies. I would now like to work. What do I have to do?

In this case, there are two possible points of departure:

Either, your residence permit is still valid and thus allows you to work 120 full days or 240 half days in the calendar year. In this case, employment can be taken up.

In order to continue employment after the 120 full days of work have been used, write an e-mail with all necessary documentation to B1@lea.berlin.de (surname A-K) or B2@lea.berlin.de (L-Z). Please note that it is necessary to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment. This application must be submitted either by e-mail or by post using this application form.

Or, your residence permit will expire within the next six weeks. In this case, please register here. After registration, you are still permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days in the calendar year ► Source.

 

Do you offer assistance in applying for a residence permit for the purpose of work?

Unfortunately, not. Another LEA department is responsible for this, not the Hochschulservice (Referat B).

 


 

enlightened Please note that these policies from the Berlin Immigration Office only apply to individuals who are registered in Berlin! These provisions could, if applicable, be extended past 30 June 2021 through a new general decree.

Status as of: 11.04.2021


 

Contact

Visa Service
Location:

HU-Hauptgebäude
Unter den Linden 6

Consultation Hours:

Tuesdays via Zoom
Pls. register

Phone:
(+49 30)
20 93-46 746

E-Mail:

visaservice@hu-berlin.de