Why Government Agencies Should Use AI in the Future
Many immigration authorities have been processing a large number of applications for years. At the same time, according to the federal government, there is often a shortage of staff and modern technical resources. This sometimes leads to long processing times. In addition, similar cases are not always assessed the same way by different authorities.
The proposed Artificial Intelligence Migration Management Act (KIMVG) is intended to resolve these issues. In the future, artificial intelligence and other automated programs are expected to assist government agencies in their work. According to the draft bill, the goal is to make asylum, visa, and residency procedures faster, more consistent, and more secure.
The law provides that the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), the immigration authorities, and the authorities responsible for visas may use AI systems. The Federal Foreign Office, German diplomatic missions abroad, and the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs may also make use of the new regulations.
Important: The draft bill permits the use of artificial intelligence in processing applications for Residence permit, visas, and asylum. However, the final decision on an application will continue to be made by staff at the relevant agency. The AI is intended solely to provide information and assist case workers in their work.
What tasks should AI take on?
The bill provides for three major changes:
- Personal data of applicants may be used to train AI systems.
- Cases that have already been closed may be analyzed using AI.
- In certain cases, information provided in applications may be compared with publicly available information from the Internet.
Explanation:
In order for AI systems to assist government agencies in processing applications in the future, they must first be developed and trained. The draft bill therefore provides that personal data from applicants may also be used to train the AI.
For example, the AI is designed to learn the requirements for a Residence permit, a visa, or protected status. It should also be able to identify which supporting documents are required and determine whether any information or submitted documents may be contradictory or unusual.
Another provision of the new law concerns asylum, visa, and residency cases that have already been finalized. These cases are to be analyzed using AI. The goal is for the AI to identify ways to process similar cases more quickly and consistently in the future.
If there are reasonable doubts about the information provided by an applicant, authorities will be permitted in the future to compare it with publicly available information from the Internet. This may be the case, for example, if there are doubts regarding the applicant’ s origin, nationality, or thedocuments submitted.
However, the authorities may only use information that is publicly available on the Internet. This includes, for example, freely accessible websites, public registries, or publicly visible posts on social media.
It is also important to note that AI may only access an applicant’s publicly available information if there are reasonable grounds to doubt the accuracy of the information provided. Without reasonable cause, the agency may not access public data from the Internet.
What personal data may be used?
Authorities should be permitted to use personal data in their possession from asylum, visa, or residency proceedings. This includes information from the application, submitted documents, and details regarding the applicant’s previous stay.
The data that may be used includes, among other things , the name, date of birth, nationality, country of origin, marital status, and information regarding education and employment. Information about an employer or an educational institution may also be processed.
A human being continues to make the decision on the application
According to the federal government, artificial intelligence is intended to be merely a tool for the agency. The legal review and the final decision on an application remain the responsibility of the staff at the relevant agency.
The bill also includes rules to protect applicants. The authorities must ensure that AI does not discriminate against anyone based on their origin, religion, gender, or other personal characteristics.
What happens now?
Important: The law has not yet taken effect. With yesterday's decision, the legislative process has only just begun.
Next, the bill will be forwarded to the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. It is expected to be debated there in the fall of 2026. The new regulations can take effect only after the Bundestag and the Bundesrat have passed the law.
For people who wish Residence permit for a visa, asylum, or a Residence permit , nothing will change for the time being. If the law goes into effect, authorities could use personal data in the future to develop and train AI systems. In addition, AI could assist authorities in processing asylum, visa, and residence permit applications.
However, the final decision on an application should continue to be made by an employee of the competent authority.
