Hey everyone, I’m currently stuck in an endless loop with the Berlin Ausländerbehörde and hoping someone out there had a similar experience — or even better, a solution.

Here's my situation:

  • I entered Germany on a national D-type visa under §18b (Not a European Country).
  • My visa is valid, and I already have a new job offer starting July 1st.
  • But I haven’t received my electronic residence permit (eAT card) yet.

According to the law, you need permission from the Ausländerbehörde to change employers within the first 2 years of your Blue Card.

So I tried to apply here:
https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/326856/en/

But when I select the option "I have a visa", the system throws this error:

"Sie können diesen Digitalen Antrag zur Meldung eines Arbeitgeberwechsels nur benutzen, wenn Sie bereits über eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Beschäftigung oder eine Blaue Karte EU verfügen."
(You can only use this digital application if you already have a residence permit for employment or an EU Blue Card.)

So basically, the form blocks me because I don't have a Titelnummer (which only comes with the eAT card).

I then used the Kontaktformular to explain everything — including that the system tells me to use the form, which then tells me I can't.
And guess what? The response from LEA was… "Please use the digital form linked above."

I'm going in circles. I’m seriously worried I might lose my job offer if I can't start on time — and I can’t get an emergency appointment either. I’ve already submitted multiple requests over the past month.

So… has anyone here actually managed to change employers while still in the visa phase — before receiving their eAT card?

Any advice, similar experience, or idea on how to break this loop would be hugely appreciated 🙏

by Leather-Yoghurt-4443