A letter from the Ausländerbehörde, explained
The Ausländerbehörde is your local immigration office. Its letters matter more than most — they can affect your right to stay and work. Here is what the common ones mean and how to react.
Immigration letters almost always carry a date — an appointment, a document deadline, or an objection period. Act by that date, and for anything unclear or adverse, get professional advice quickly.
Common letters
- Terminbestätigung / Einladung — an appointment confirmation or invitation. Note the date, time and required documents; appointments can be hard to rebook.
- Anforderung von Unterlagen — a request for documents to complete your application (passport, proof of income, insurance, etc.), with a date to submit.
- Fiktionsbescheinigung — a certificate bridging the time until your permit is decided; check its validity dates.
- Bescheid über den Aufenthaltstitel — a decision on your residence permit: approval, extension, or rejection. A rejection carries a Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung and a deadline.
Why the date matters so much
Unlike a routine bill, an immigration deadline can affect your legal status. Missing a document date can stall your case; missing an objection or appeal period after a rejection can make it final. When in doubt, treat the stated date as firm.
If you can’t meet a deadline
Contact the Ausländerbehörde before the date. Asking in writing for an extension, or explaining a delay, is almost always better than missing it silently. Keep copies of everything you send and proof of sending.
Frequently asked
Which letters have a deadline?
I can’t get the documents in time — what now?
My application was rejected — can I do something?
Understand the letter, keep the date
Upload a photo or PDF – Mein Büro finds the sender, the amount and the deadline, counts down the days and suggests what to do next. It can also draft your reply in German, ready to send to the authority.
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