MA 35 / Niederlassungsbehörde letter explained in English
Immigration office. Handles residence permits and EU registration certificates. In Vienna this is the MA 35; elsewhere it is the Bezirkshauptmannschaft or the Magistrat.
Letters you may get
- Verbesserungsauftrag — fix or complete your application by a deadline
- Parteiengehör — they plan a decision and let you comment first
- Aufforderung zur Vorlage von Unterlagen — they need documents
- Bescheid — the decision on your permit
What to do
- Apply to extend your permit before it ends, but not earlier than 3 months before. If you apply in time, your stay stays legal while they decide.
- Answer every request (Verbesserungsauftrag, Parteiengehör) before the deadline. If you don’t, they can reject your application.
- Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Bescheid
- Official decision. It becomes final if you don’t object in time.
- Verbesserungsauftrag
- Request to fix or complete your application by a deadline. If you don’t, they can reject it.
- Parteiengehör
- Your right to see the evidence and comment before they decide.
Questions
What is the MA 35 / Niederlassungsbehörde?
Immigration office. Handles residence permits and EU registration certificates. In Vienna this is the MA 35; elsewhere it is the Bezirkshauptmannschaft or the Magistrat.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the MA 35 / Niederlassungsbehörde?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb” — they mark the deadline. In Austria, an official letter sent by normal post usually counts as delivered on the 3rd working day after it was posted. A registered letter (RSa or RSb) counts as delivered on the day you get it — or, if you were not home, usually on the first day you can pick it up at the post office. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”).
Can I read a MA 35 / Niederlassungsbehörde letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Austria
Finanzamt Österreich · Familienbeihilfe (Finanzamt Österreich) · AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) · Magistrat / Bezirkshauptmannschaft · Meldeamt / Meldeservice · ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) · SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen) · Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA)