For all of us foreigners and ex-pats, the LABO Ausländerbehörde is one of those necessary evils. If you're lucky, you get someone kind and accommodating and your visa is issued with no problems. If you're unlucky - maybe your paperwork is incorrect, or you've caught someone on a bad day - you will have to come back several times. But if you're persistent, eventually you'll get your visa. A few tips: -Be on time for your appointment and give yourself some extra time if you're not familiar with the area. -Go ahead and over-prepare - bring what you're supposed to but any extra documentation can be helpful. -If you don't speak adequate German, bring along a friend who does. -Smile! A good attitude goes a long way. read more

I'd like to give my compliments to the AB mainly because in the last couple years they have become much more friendly, patient and helpful... Vastly different from I when I first arrived an applied for a visa. Thank you, it's been an amazing experience being here in Germany. The only suggestion I would like to offer is to create a better system for cueing up, outside and inside. Germany is a very orderly place, but not all cultures are the same. In some lands there is no order and people just push shove and cut the line, and some of those people are waiting at the AB too... Even the security guard was overwhelmed. Would be great to have airport style cueing apparatus outside and inside. Also, to any visitors, the AB is not the place to find information. That u should research online or better with a lawyer. read more

As far as government buildings go, I'd pick the Ausländerbehörde over the suburban American DMV, a New York City post office, or ANY Planned Parenthood office any day. That said, it's a fairly straightforward process: 1. You make an appointment ahead of time (months in advance!) 2. Each building is divided into three sections (Haus), which are then further divided into different floors, then further divided into different sections. When you make your appointment, you're given a Haus, a floor, a section and a waiting room number. 3. You go to the required Haus/floor/waiting room, and you wait... Coming from Kreuzberg and being in the city for almost two weeks(!), I was MISERABLY lost when I got here. I somehow ended up a good 6-7 blocks away, but made it to my 7am(!!!!!) appointment at 7:09. Just my luck, my number was up! I scurried into the assigned room and was greeted by a friendly English speaking woman. Sure, you do have to wait a bunch but it's not as bad as people think. There's a dude on the first floor who was friendly and pointed me in the right direction. There are photobooths on various floors, so if you're a slacker, you can take one in haus. There are snacks available and this is a GREAT place to people watch. All in all, not a bad experience. I'm not in a hurry to go back, but wouldn't be totally bummed out if I had to. read more

The waiting times have gotten a lot better over the last few years or so, since they reorganized things and introduced the appointment system. But it can still take hours, especially if you don't know what section you're supposed to be in. I am there all the time, because I accompany English speakers to their appointments as an interpreter/translator. Tips I've gathered from experience? 1. Don't come without your passport and registration of address at the very minimum. Nothing will get done without those two. The remaining documents depend on your individual situation. 2. If you need a sugar boost every now and again, take some food with you. There's nothing to eat on-site and waiting times can be long. In summer, the heat is pretty overwhelming. 3. If you'll be getting a visa extension or some alteration sticker, you'll need to pay for it. If you don't have a German EC card, bring cash, because credit cards are not accepted at the payment machine. 4. Bringing a witness can be useful. That goes for any sort of official appointment. It's important stuff and it might concern your visa, taxes, state benefits or something else. Don't risk not understanding what gets said at the appointment, you'll just create more confusion and more visits for yourself! 5. If you're lucky enough to be able to make an appointment, do it! Sometimes the appointments aren't available for months though. The last time I made an appointment was in February - for May of that year! Cheers, Kathleen Parker (Red Tape Translation Berlin) read more

One would be hard pressed to find a group of more bitter and incompetent individuals. Each employee, without exception, is their own little dictator, accountable to no one. Likewise, should you have an issue with their "service" (and you will) you have absolutely no recourse....and they know it. Their website instructs you to email for an appointment and then they don't reply. A phone number that no one answers. Everyone I know has a Ausländerbehörde story of stupidity and intimidation. If Germany wants to save wasted tax money, eliminate the entire staff and replace them with a vending machine. Sorry for the one star. Their office is convenient and well lit. read more

To be honest the Ausländerbehorde in Berlin is vwry organized and the staff are a dozen times friendlier thab the obe in Magdeburg! If you come early and take a number you won't be waiting long and to pick up your visa you dont have to wait at all! read more