Every foreigner has to visit public authorities from time to time and nobody likes it. Especially a visit at the aliens department is always a bit thrilling, because you never know if the outcome is good or bad! If it is about a visa/work permit extension, a change of the employer or an application for permanent residence or citizenship or just a check for the status of your family reunion, here are some tips to make your visit a success: 

Get as many information as possible about your concern. You can ckeck our forums for similar cases and you can visit the FAQ section of The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees website 

Try to get an appointement ahead of your visit. Send an email to your local office or call them. If you do not speak German ask a friend or colleague to call them. When you enter the office say 'Guten Tag', even if this is the only sentence you can speak in German ;-  

Be confident but not arrogant! What I mean is that you should be aware of your high qualification, your degree, your professional succes which is probably higher than the one of the officer you have to deal with, but do not let him feel this! Be polite and show him respect, because you know that he has an important job. 

If you do not speak German try to find somebody who does and ask him to accompany you.

One of the good things in Germany is, that it is a constitutional state, so if you think that they do not treat you as they should (because you did what I said at the beginning and your are very well informed) you do not have to accept this. Ask for the chief officer! Be polite but insistent if necessary.

When you got what you wanted, do not forget to say 'Dankeschön' and 'Aufwiedersehen'!

Good luck, viel Erfolg

Detlef