die  Ausländerbehörde

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌlɛndɐbəˌhœʁdə/

🏛️ What exactly is die Ausländerbehörde?

Die Ausländerbehörde is a German authority responsible for measures and decisions concerning residence and passport law for non-EU citizens (often referred to as Ausländer) in Germany. It's part of the local municipal administration (city or district).

Its main tasks include issuing and extending residence titles (like visas or residence permits - Aufenthaltstitel), issuing passport replacement documents, making decisions on expulsions and deportations (Ausweisungen und Abschiebungen), and verifying legal requirements for residency.

It's a specific German administrative term. ⚠️ The term Ausländer is considered outdated or stigmatizing by some; more modern terms include Menschen mit internationaler Geschichte (people with international history) or Nicht-EU-Bürger (non-EU citizens), but the official name of the authority remains.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Ausländerbehörde

The word Ausländerbehörde is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Example Sentences

1. Ich muss morgen zur Ausländerbehörde gehen, um mein Visum zu verlängern.
   (I have to go to the immigration office tomorrow to extend my visa.)
2. Die Zuständigkeit der Ausländerbehörden ist im Aufenthaltsgesetz geregelt.
   (The responsibility of the immigration authorities is regulated in the Residence Act.)
3. Die Öffnungszeiten der Ausländerbehörde sind oft begrenzt.
   (The opening hours of the immigration office are often limited.)
4. Viele Menschen warten vor der Ausländerbehörde.
   (Many people are waiting in front of the immigration office.)

🗣️ When to use Ausländerbehörde?

The term Ausländerbehörde is primarily used in official and administrative contexts when dealing with matters concerning non-EU citizens in Germany.

• Typical Use Cases: Applying for or extending visas, residence permits (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), settlement permits (Niederlassungserlaubnis); temporary toleration permits (Duldung); passport matters for foreigners; integration courses; deportations.
• Context: You'll find the term in official documents, on city and district websites, in news reports, and in conversations about immigration and residency.
• Alternative Terms: Sometimes referred to as Ausländeramt (foreigners' office) or Zuwanderungsbehörde (immigration authority), although Ausländerbehörde is the most common official term. The exact name can vary locally (e.g., Amt für Migration und Integration - Office for Migration and Integration).

🧠 Mnemonics for Ausländerbehörde

Article Mnemonic: The word ends in "-behörde". Many German nouns ending in "-e", especially those denoting institutions or abstract concepts, are feminine (die). Think of die Schule (school), die Gemeinde (municipality), die Behörde (authority) -> so it's also die Ausländerbehörde.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Ausländer (foreigners / non-citizens) + Behörde (authority / office). It's literally the authority for foreigners. Easy logic!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Potential Confusion?

Sometimes, the Ausländerbehörde is mistakenly confused with the BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge - Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). The BAMF is a federal agency primarily responsible for asylum procedures, whereas the Ausländerbehörde is a local (municipal) authority responsible for implementing residence law locally.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nimmt der Beamte in der Ausländerbehörde immer eine Leiter mit zur Arbeit?
Damit er die hohen Anforderungen erfüllen kann! 😉

(Why does the official at the immigration office always take a ladder to work?
So he can meet the high requirements! [Pun: 'hohe Anforderungen' means 'high requirements' or 'high demands'])

📜 Poem about the Authority

Im Amt, wo Stempel Pässe zieren,
muss man Geduld oft investieren.
Die Ausländerbehörde, Ort des Rechts,
mal geht es schnell, mal ist es schlecht's.
Formulare, warten, lange Reih'n,
für den Verbleib im Land, muss das so sein?

(In the office where stamps adorn passports,
one often must invest patience.
The immigration office, place of law,
sometimes it's quick, sometimes it's flawed.
Forms, waiting, long queues line,
to stay in the country, must it be this design?)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Amt, doch nicht für jeden da,
wer von fern kommt, kennt mich, ist doch klar.
Ich prüfe Papiere, Visa, Aufenthalt,
wer Deutsch lernt, braucht mich oft und bald.

Welche Behörde bin ich?

(I am an office, but not for everyone here,
those from afar know me, it's quite clear.
I check papers, visas, residency rights,
those learning German need me, shining lights.

Which authority am I?)

Solution: die Ausländerbehörde

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition

The word Ausländerbehörde is a compound noun, made up of:

• Der Ausländer: Meaning 'foreigner' or 'non-citizen' - a person who does not have the citizenship of the country they are in (here: Germany). Plural: die Ausländer.
• Die Behörde: Meaning 'authority' or 'office' - a state or municipal agency that performs administrative tasks. Plural: die Behörden.

Together, the meaning is: An authority responsible for the affairs of foreigners.

Trivia

The structure and exact name of the Ausländerbehörden can vary slightly depending on the German federal state (Bundesland) and municipality (Kommune). In larger cities, there are often specialized departments within the Ausländerbehörde.