Immigration and residence law
- Visas and entry
- Residence permits, extensions, settlement permits
- Family reunification and skilled worker immigration
- Expulsion, deportation, toleration (Duldung), detention pending deportation
The firm
Migration law from a single source
The firm was founded in 1997 in Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Immigration law became its focus early on, initially above all for Chinese companies and their employees, and today for clients from many countries of origin.
The firm’s work covers residence law, including visas, residence permits and family reunification, asylum law from the procedure at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to court action, and naturalisation. The firm represents you throughout Germany in administrative proceedings and before the administrative courts at all levels. We take action against negative decisions, apply for urgent interim relief against imminent deportation and also represent you on appeal. Against impending or ordered detention pending deportation, we take action before the local and regional courts.
The firm is based in Stuttgart. As much can be done in writing, we also represent clients outside the region.
- Founded
- 1997 in Stuttgart-Vaihingen
- Focus
- Immigration law
- Advice in
- German, English, French
- Courts
- Administrative courts at all levels throughout Germany; local and regional courts in deportation detention cases
- Contact
- rechtsanwalt@elwing.de
Our clients
Clients from more than 30 countries
We represent people from many regions of the world and are familiar with the legal issues arising from the situation in their countries of origin.
Practice areas
How we can help
Asylum law
- Preparing for the interview at the BAMF
- Court action and urgent applications against rejections
- Transfers to other EU countries
- Revocation and withdrawal of protection status
Naturalisation
- Checking the requirements
- Application and support throughout the procedure
- Action for failure to act if processing takes too long
- Court action against a refusal
Currently in Stuttgart
Long waiting times at the immigration office?
Many people are currently waiting a long time for an appointment or a decision. If you hold a temporary residence permit, you are right to be concerned about your job, social benefits or travel.
Your right of residence, however, does not depend on an appointment. With the right application and the right proof, most disadvantages can be avoided.
- Apply in writing in good time. If you apply for an extension before your residence permit expires, you keep your right of residence until the authority decides (Section 81(4) AufenthG). What counts is the date your application is received, not the appointment.
- Submit complete documents. A complete application avoids requests for further documents and additional waiting time.
- Prove that your right of residence continues. Employers, the job centre and border controls need proof that you have applied and that your right of residence continues.
- Action for failure to act or urgent application. If the authority fails to decide within a reasonable time without sufficient reason, you can bring an action before the administrative court; if you are at risk of losing your job, an urgent application may also be possible.
We cannot arrange appointments at the immigration office. We take care of the written application and, if necessary, the court proceedings.
News
What is changing
As of 19 October 2026
Already in force
July 2026
More time after losing a job
Skilled workers who lose their job now have at least six months instead of three to find new employment. Fixed-term residence permits remain valid for six months beyond the end of the employment contract. Fingerprints already taken can be reused when a permit is extended.
12 June 2026
Reform of the European asylum system
Under the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), new rules apply to asylum procedures, border procedures and the responsibility of EU countries. The Dublin III Regulation has been replaced. We examine what this means for pending and new cases.
1 June 2026
No more automatically appointed lawyer in deportation detention
People in detention pending deportation or in custody to secure departure are no longer automatically assigned a lawyer. It is therefore all the more important to seek legal help yourself at an early stage.
1 February 2026
Safe countries of origin designated by ordinance
The Federal Government can now designate safe countries of origin by ordinance. Asylum applications from these countries are generally rejected as manifestly unfounded, and the deadlines are then particularly short.
December 2025
Ten-year bar for deception in naturalisation proceedings
Anyone who deceives the authorities in naturalisation proceedings, for example with forged language certificates, is barred from naturalisation for ten years.
30 October 2025
No more naturalisation after three years
Fast-track naturalisation has been abolished. All applications are again subject to a residence period of generally five years.
24 July 2025
Family reunification with beneficiaries of subsidiary protection suspended
Family reunification of spouses and children with beneficiaries of subsidiary protection has been suspended for two years. Exceptions apply only in cases of hardship.
27 June 2024
Naturalisation with dual citizenship
If you are naturalised, you generally no longer have to give up your previous citizenship.
Coming up and planned
from 2026
Work-and-Stay Agency for skilled workers
The Federal Government is setting up a central digital agency for the immigration of skilled workers, trainees and students. It is to be launched in stages; the role of the immigration offices has not yet been decided.
July 2027
End of the suspension of family reunification
The two-year suspension of family reunification with beneficiaries of subsidiary protection expires. Whether it will be extended has not yet been decided.
17 October 2027
EU Return Regulation fully applicable
Since 16 October 2026, the regulation has allowed deportation to return hubs in third countries with which an agreement exists. From 17 October 2027, the remaining rules will also apply, including additional grounds for detention pending deportation and a longer maximum duration.
until March 2028
Protection for refugees from Ukraine extended
The EU has extended temporary protection until March 2028. Newly arriving men liable for military service will generally no longer receive it; those who already have protection are not affected.
Guides
Answers to common questions
Our guides are currently available in German only.
No appointment at the immigration office
What applies if your residence permit expires and the authority does not offer an appointment.
Read the guide (in German)Naturalisation taking too long
When an action for failure to act makes sense and what it can achieve.
Read the guide (in German)Negative asylum decision from the BAMF
Which steps are needed immediately after the decision is served and which deadlines apply.
Read the guide (in German)Going abroad for a longer period
When a residence permit expires and how an extended deadline or a certificate of non-expiry can help.
Read the guide (in German)Procedure
From first contact to representation
Contact and appointment
Tell us about your matter by email or phone and arrange an appointment for an initial consultation. Beforehand, you will receive our terms of engagement for signature. Send us copies of the decisions and tell us the date of service, as many deadlines are short.
Initial consultation
In the initial consultation we examine your case, assess the prospects of success and explain the recommended course of action and its cost.
Engagement and representation
If you instruct us, we conclude a fee agreement. With your power of attorney we inspect the files, handle all correspondence with the authority or court and keep you informed in writing.
We are always instructed on the basis of a written fee agreement. We explain its content and the expected total cost before you instruct us.
Languages
We advise in German, English and French. Versions of this website in other languages are for your information only; the German version is authoritative.
If you do not speak any of these three languages, please bring someone to meetings who speaks your language and German and can interpret for you.
You may also write to us in German, English or French with the help of a translation program.
Contact
Law office in Stuttgart-Vaihingen
Please arrange an appointment for an initial consultation by email or phone. For reasons of confidentiality, there is no contact form.
Address
Anwaltskanzlei ElwingRechtsanwalt Jens-Peter Elwing
Breitwiesenstraße 9
70565 Stuttgart
Germany
How to reach us
Email: rechtsanwalt@elwing.de
Phone: +49 711 74 21 50
Fax: +49 711 745 68 75
- Mon–Thu
- 9:00–12:00 · 14:00–17:00
- Fri
- 9:00–13:00