Department

Ordnungs- und Bürgeramt, Ausländerbehörde

Jurisdiction

The Ausländerbehörde of the city of Karlsruhe (Kaiserallee 8, 76133 Karlsruhe) is responsible exclusively for people who live in the city district of Karlsruhe (postal codes 76131–76229). For all other municipalities in the Landkreis Karlsruhe (e.g. Bretten, Bruchsal, Ettlingen, Stutensee, Waghäusel), the Ausländerbehörde at the Landratsamt Karlsruhe is responsible. The two authorities are organizationally separate and not the same office.

Responsible for postal codes 76131–76229 (13)

Good to know

In-person visits generally require a prior appointment. You book appointments online through the city of Karlsruhe's appointment portal or by phone at 0721 115. For a small number of matters with very short processing times, there is the express counter at Kaiserallee 8, which you can visit without a prior appointment.

Residence permits (extensions and first-time grants) can be applied for through the city of Karlsruhe's online application portal: enter your details, upload documents, submit the application. After review you receive a decision by email or post. You then provide biometric data for the eAT at a separately booked appointment. Since 1 May 2025, only digitally submitted biometric photos are accepted — no paper photos.

At the express counter (also at Kaiserallee 8) you can, without an appointment, submit documents for an online application already filed, pick up a Fiktionsbescheinigung after prior notification, and submit and pay for a Verpflichtungserklärung. For all other matters you need a regular appointment. Waiting times can occur during busy periods.

Yes. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure (for third-country nationals still abroad) is handled by the Ausländerbehörde Karlsruhe when the employer is located in the city district. Employers and skilled workers can send enquiries directly by email to fachkraft@oa.karlsruhe.de. Applications and documents can be submitted entirely digitally — a personal visit is not required. The EU Blue Card for highly qualified employment can also be applied for.

The authority itself gives an indicative timeframe of around six to eight weeks for processing a residence permit application. For the accelerated skilled-worker procedure, fixed deadlines apply: a recognition decision within two months, prior approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit within one week, and a visa appointment within three weeks of that prior approval.

Reviewed on June 16, 2026 · Source: karlsruhe.de

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Updated on March 5, 2026

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Ausländerbehörde Karlsruhe – Immigration Office

Stadt Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg

Kaiserallee 8

76133 Karlsruhe

0721/133-3388

Fax: 0721/1333275

auslaenderbehoerde@oa.karlsruhe.de

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Jurisdiction

Responsible for postal codes 76131–76229 (13)

Good to know

Department

Jurisdiction

Good to know

How do you get an appointment?

What can you handle entirely online, without appearing in person?

What can I handle at the express counter without an appointment?

Is there a dedicated point of contact for skilled workers and employers?

What processing times should you expect?

Other immigration offices in Baden-Württemberg

Trouble with this office?

Report waiting time

Report waiting time

Comments

Comments

Ausländerbehörde Karlsruhe – Immigration Office

Questions about your case at this authority?

Department

Jurisdiction

Good to know

How do you get an appointment?

What can you handle entirely online, without appearing in person?

What can I handle at the express counter without an appointment?

Is there a dedicated point of contact for skilled workers and employers?

What processing times should you expect?

Other immigration offices in Baden-Württemberg

Trouble with this office?

Report waiting time

Report waiting time

Comments

Comments

Ausländerbehörde Karlsruhe – Immigration Office

Questions about your case at this authority?