Companies in Baden-Württemberg received just three weeks’ notice that Stuttgart’s Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners’ Authority) would shut its counters on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 for a staff event. According to the official website, all citizen-service centres, the foreigners’ office and the vehicle-registration desks were closed to the public, with only a skeleton telephone hotline operating in the morning. Online appointment slots for collecting electronic residence permits (eAT) have been automatically postponed by one week. HR departments report that roughly 400 international assignees scheduled to collect Blue Cards or ICT permits this week will have to re-book. While most immigration statuses remain valid during processing, delays can complicate Schengen travel plans for employees expecting to attend trade fairs abroad. Stuttgart is home to 1,600 foreign-owned companies; mobility managers are advised to audit any urgent travel scheduled before 30 July and, where necessary, issue employer letters confirming lawful stay under §81(3) AufenthG (fictional extension). The city recommends using its digital portal for time-sensitive filings and reminds employers that same-day passport-return services are unavailable until after the summer holiday period.
