Expediting German Citizenship Applications
Why Has There Been a Surge in German Citizenship Applications in Recent Years?
In recent years, hundreds of thousands of German citizenship applications have been submitted for descendants of those persecuted by the Nazi regime. This has led to a significant backlog and delays in processing. While German bureaucrats might prefer for you to patiently wait for the processing to be completed, there are instances where this isn’t always feasible. It’s important to note that in these exceptional cases, there might be an opportunity to request the expediting of German citizenship applications.
What Prompted D’s Interest in Acquiring German Citizenship?
D, an Israeli woman in her 40s suffering from a severe illness, recently discovered her potential eligibility for a German passport. This realization stemmed from the fact that her grandmother was born in Germany and left with her family to Israel around the time the Nazi party came to power.
Why Has M, an Older Israeli, Considered Applying Now?
M, an elderly Israeli, was born to German parents who moved to Israel following the horrors of Kristallnacht. Although he never pursued his entitlement to German citizenship in the past, upon hearing about amendments to the German citizenship law, he became interested in doing so. However, given his advanced age, M is uncertain about the success of his quest to obtain German citizenship and a passport while he’s still alive.
Why Do Many Cases, Like D’s and M’s, Emphasize the Urgency for the German Authorities?
Common to both cases described above, and many similar ones, is a heightened urgency for their applications to be processed by German authorities. However, there’s a pressing issue of overload at the German citizenship department (Bundesverwaltungsamt). Lately, the department has been grappling with the hundreds of thousands of German citizenship applications submitted to it.
How Frequently Do Inquiries About Expediting Citizenship Processes Reach Our Office?
Our office, which has been consistently dealing with German citizenship applications for many years, receives numerous inquiries about the feasibility of expediting the application process. It’s essential to understand that while this is not a straightforward process, relevant only in extraordinary circumstances, and without guaranteed outcomes, it might be a viable option in suitable cases.
How Is the German Authority Managing the Backlog in Citizenship Applications?
The German bureaucracy is notorious for its long queues that often arise when processing applications. In this context, the aforementioned backlog means that the staff at the citizenship department struggle to process requests swiftly due to the sheer volume of applications and a manpower shortage. As a result, individuals battling serious illnesses, those of advanced age, or facing other intricate life circumstances might not get to realize their entitlement and benefit from the myriad advantages this citizenship confers.
What Changed in the German Citizenship Law in 2021?
Since the amendment to the German citizenship law in 2021, the list of those eligible for German citizenship has significantly expanded. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of applications have been filed by Israelis and descendants of German citizens persecuted by the Nazi regime. Yet, the human resources dealing with these applications at the German citizenship department haven’t been augmented.
What Is the Outcome of This Limited Manpower on Application Processing Times?
The result is a limited number of staff members handling, at any given time, over 100,000 applications. This unprecedented scenario means that German authorities can’t commit to specific processing times for citizenship applications. Our experience indicates that applications may take between 2 to 3 years before a final decision is reached.
Is There a Gap Between the Legal Mandate and Reality?
It’s essential to note that according to German law, authorities are obliged to start processing citizenship applications within 3 months from their complete submission date. Due to the aforementioned backlog, this often isn’t achieved in many cases. Accordingly, in justifiable situations, one can approach a German court and petition for an order that mandates the authorities to expedite the application process.
How Do German Courts View Such Requests?
It’s worth noting that German courts, aware of the backlog, won’t necessarily approve these requests in every situation. It’s necessary to present circumstances justifying the court’s intervention. This includes providing personal documents and evidence that corroborates the claimed exceptional circumstances. For instance, documents attesting to the severe illness the applicants are grappling with or a statement about the applicant’s advanced age can be submitted.
Are There Other Means Suggested by German Authorities to Expedite German Citizenship Applications?
Apart from the option of initiating legal proceedings to hasten the process due to exceptional circumstances, it’s worth noting that one can inquire about the status of applications delayed for over two years. In cases where such extended delays occur, German authorities will strive to expedite the application process as much as possible.
Is It Possible to Speed Up the Process of Acquiring a German Passport?
Not everyone realizes this, but obtaining German citizenship and procuring a German passport are two distinct procedures. After the citizenship application has been approved and the naturalization certificate received, a separate application for a passport is required. Setting an appointment with the embassy for this purpose, as well as the processing and delivery of the passport, can take many months.
However, in specific cases, there might be an option to request expedited processing for passport delivery, either through the embassy or by physically traveling to Germany to obtain the passport from the relevant representative office. To understand how to proceed and explore available options, it’s advisable to first verify German citizenship eligibility and consult a lawyer specializing in immigration law and proficient in handling German citizenship applications.
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:מאמרים מומלצים