As of March 7, 2007 we will be offering foreign companies competent advice on visa matters at Ludwig Erhard Haus (LEH). Residence permits may be applied for in a simple manner from the BIS and will be issued at short notice.

Together with the Foreigners' Authority, the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce is setting up a new service desk for

• Investors working together with Berlin Partner GmbH,
• Companies whose activities promote business in Berlin in a special way,
• Highly-qualified managers, especially
  
  • Scientists with particular specialist know-how,
  • Senior teaching and scientific staff, as well as
  • Specialists and managerial staff with particular professional experience,

• Managers and other specially qualified employees of globally-operating companies, and

• Their dependents.

The labor agencies in Berlin will provide support by using a simplified procedure to grant work permits. Applications will therefore be processed much faster than at present.

Applications can be made for both initial visas and residence permits, and renewals thereto. Initial visas and renewals will be issued by members of the Foreigners' Authority each Wednesday from 9.30am to 3.30pm by appointment.
Foreign companies will also be able to take advantage of the complete range of services provided by the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce every day of the week.

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm
Friday 8am to 4pm

Please note!
EU citizens, foreign nationals with a German spouse, and foreign nationals whose passports have been stamped "Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet" (gainful employment permitted) do not require a special permit to work in Germany.