Legal Counseling and Clearing Office for Foreign Nationals
We answer your questions regarding rights of residence or employment.
About Us
Immigration law consultation can of course be helpful on legal issues regarding immigration, and in particular when it comes to prospects for accessing the German labour market, in accordance with the basic requirements of the Authority for Internal Affairs and Sport (Behörde für Inneres und Sport or ‘BIS’).
Our Services
Mainly, we advise migrants living in Hamburg, companies, volunteers, and other institutions on the following topics:
- residence status
- general questions regarding residence law
- employment opportunities (e.g. employer loyalty)
- employment permit procedures
- the possibility of changing residence
In individual cases, we also support the cooperation between the participating partners: the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge or ‘BAMF’), labor administration, BIS and local foreigners' offices with the aim of facilitating integration into the labour market within the existing legal framework.
Information on the requirements for residence permits and which documents and proofs are necessary can be found on our pages on the subject of residence.
Please note:
The following applies to customers of the team Residence matters for professionals:
To apply for the issue or extension of a residence permit, please use the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg". You will then receive an appointment from the team Residence matters for professionals.
For status requests, please use the service portal of the colleagues from the team Residence matters for professionals.
Here you can:
- submit additional documents,
- make a notification (for example, if you have been dismissed),
- change or add a provision to your residence permit (for example, if you want to change employer),
- ask a general question (for example, if you urgently need a fiction certificate).
Advice on naturalization is not offered by the Legal Counseling and Clearing Office.
You can find important information here: Einbürgerungsangelegenheiten - hamburg.de (only available in German). On this website you can apply for naturalization digitally and use the Quick-Check to check in advance whether you meet all the requirements for naturalization. You will also find a contact form to get in touch with the naturalization department for individual advice.
Contact Information
We ask preferably to contact us by e-mail:
Email: auslaenderrecht@welcome.hamburg.de
Telephone consultation hours (other appointments possible by prior e-mail arrangement):
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 1 pm to 3 pm
Wednesday and Friday 10 am to 12 pm
Phone: 040 42839 – 2000
We currently offer consultations via Skype or telephone.
If your request requires the exchange of personal data, a separate declaration of consent may be necessary, which we will make available to you in the further course after contacting you.
You will find the Hamburg Welcome Center in the
Süderstraße 32 b
20097 Hamburg
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