Landesamt für Einwanderung (State Office for Immigration)

What is it?

The Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA; State Office for Immigration) is the central authority for residence documents in Berlin. It was formerly called "die Ausländerbehörde" (Foreigners' Authority).

Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA)

What are the authority's responsibilities?

The LEA makes decisions about the residence of migrants in Berlin and takes the necessary steps. For example, it:

  • issues and extends Aufenthaltstitel (residence titles), Duldungen (temporary suspensions of deportation), and Aufenthaltsgestattungen (temporary permissions to stay during the asylum procedure)
  • makes decisions about permission to work
  • handles naturalization
  • enforces the requirement to leave Germany, including deportations

Who is it for?

You can contact the LEA if:

  • you do not have German citizenship, live in Berlin, and are registered here, and Berlin is responsible for your case
  • you are a citizen of a country outside the EU, live in Berlin, and are registered here
  • you are an EU citizen living in Berlin and need help with naturalization or certain other matters

Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA)