Investigations into alleged bribery at Foreigners' office
As reported by several media outlets, including WDR and ntv, the Bielefeld public prosecutor's office is currently investigating four individuals. Two of the accused are said to be employed by the city of Bielefeld. According to current information, the other two individuals are an interpreter and a person who initially applied for a Residence permit and was later allegedly involved in the fraud cases.
The investigations focus on allegations of bribery, accepting bribes, and granting favors. The focus is on cases in which money is alleged to have been paid for the granting of residence permits.
As things stand, the authorities are investigating at least 15 cases from the period between September 2023 and April 2025. In addition, another case from autumn 2025 is being investigated.
In one of the cases known to date, the amount involved is said to have been several thousand euros. Whether and to what extent money has changed hands in other cases is currently unclear.
In addition to the alleged granting of residence permits in exchange for money, there is also suspicion that appointments at the Foreigners' office were granted Foreigners' office payment.
The public prosecutor's office had already ordered searches in November and December 2025. These took place both in the private homes of the accused and at their workplaces, including the premises of Foreigners' office .
Background: What is a Settlement permit?
A Settlement permit a permanent Residence permit. It entitles the holder to live and work in Germany on a permanent basis. To Settlement permit a Settlement permit , applicants must meet certain legal requirements.
These include:
- Legal residence of at least five years, as a rule, with a Residence permit Settlement permit for a Settlement permit
- At least 60 months of compulsory contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme
- a secure livelihood without receiving social benefits
- sufficient German language skills at B1 level
- Basic knowledge of the legal and social order, often demonstrated by passing the "Life in Germany" test or by obtaining a German school or training qualification
- No relevant previous convictions
Simplified requirements apply to certain groups. For example , recognized refugees, skilled workers, self-employed persons, and persons with a German family member (usually a German spouse) can Settlement permit a Settlement permit after a shorter period of time under certain conditions. However, it is always crucial that the legal requirements are met and that the procedure is carried out properly.
Authorities may conduct stricter checks
The case in Bielefeld is not an isolated incident. In recent months, there have been several reports of suspected fraud in immigration authorities. These involved illegally issued Residence permit, sold settlement permits, or manipulated naturalization procedures. Cases of forged language certificates and integration tests have also become public knowledge.
The fact that these cases are now being reported more frequently in the media could indicate that immigration authorities are now checking more carefully when issuing residence permits and have tightened their internal controls. Suspicious activities are being detected more quickly and prosecuted more frequently.
This can have significant consequences for people with a Residence permit. Procedures are being examined more closely and therefore take longer, evidence is being checked more thoroughly, and Residence permit that have already been issued Residence permit be re-examined in cases of suspicion.
Important: Anyone who has obtained a Residence permit other residence-related decision through deception or bribery must expect this decision to be revoked. Additional legal consequences may also follow.
Are all Residence permit now being Residence permit ?
After such reports , many migrants ask themselves a key question: Will all Residence permit issued by the immigration authorities concerned now be reviewed?
The short answer is no.
In principle, immigration authorities maynot re-examine Residence permit without good reason. A subsequent review is only legally permitted if there are concrete indications of irregularities —for example, bribery, false information in the application, or other forms of deception.
If such suspicion exists, the authorities are entitled to re-examine individual cases and, if necessary, reopen them. However, a comprehensive review of all Residence permit general suspicion of fraud is not permitted.
However, immigration authorities may take a closer look at certain groups of cases as part of internal checks or after specific cases of fraud have come to light . But only if there are objective and comprehensible reasons for doing so.
The following therefore applies: Every investigation must be based on concrete suspicion and may not be carried out arbitrarily.
Residence permit fraud: What are the consequences?
If it is determined that a Residence permit has been obtained Residence permit bribery, false statements, or other forms of deception, this can have significant legal consequences. The Residence permit in question Residence permit be withdrawn or revoked, even if it has been in place for a long time.
A Settlement permit Naturalization does not provide protection in such cases. If it turns out that Naturalization is basedNaturalization fraud or false information, it can be revoked up to ten years after it was granted.
In addition, a new law came into force in December 2025. According to this law, individuals who have committed fraud in the naturalization process can be excluded from reacquiring German citizenship for a period of ten years.
In addition, criminal consequences may apply, for example, for bribery, aiding and abetting, or providing false information to authorities. In certain cases, deportation or a residence ban may also be considered. Those affected not only lose their current Residence permit, but also risk long-term disadvantages for future residence and naturalization procedures.
Conclusion
The suspicion at the Bielefeld Foreigners' office one of a series of similar cases and shows that irregularities in the granting of residence permits are increasingly coming under the scrutiny of the authorities. At the same time, the case makes it clear that Residence permit naturalizations are also reviewed retroactively if there are concrete indications of fraud or deception.
For the vast majority of migrants who have Residence permit applied for and received their Residence permit , there is no cause for concern. A blanket review of residence permits (without concrete suspicion) is not legally permissible.
Nevertheless, it is to be expected that procedures will be examined more closely overalland that evidence will be checked more strictly in the future. In order to avoid legal risks, it is therefore particularly important to submit applications for Residence permit Naturalization and correct Naturalization and exclusively through legal channels.
Supposed shortcuts or offers in exchange for money can have serious consequences in the long term —including the loss of your residence permit or German citizenship.
