Self-service kiosks to alleviate the burden on the Foreigners Authority in Solingen
In a bid to address the significant challenges faced by the Solingen Foreigners' Office in immigration law, the head of the public order department, Mr. Jan Welzel, has introduced self-service terminals to optimize processes related to residence permits and electronic residence titles.
These terminals, set up in the citizen's offices in Ohligs and Mitte, as well as at the Foreigners' Office at Gasstraße, are designed to simplify the application process and relieve staff. Applicants can now enter their data and biometric information, including photo and signature, at the terminals. The need to bring a biometric photo is eliminated as it is taken directly at the terminal.
The self-service terminals offer clear instructions in several languages and staff is available for support. After entering data at the terminal, applicants hand in their documents to a staff member for further processing on the spot. The data entered is immediately digitized and transmitted for further processing to the caseworkers, reducing the processing time for applications.
The final processing of applications takes place in the background, while applicants are informed about the documents they need to bring to the appointment at the time of booking. To book an appointment, applicants must still do so online, which is now possible via the new software "FrontDesk" on the city's homepage.
The introduction of FrontDesk is expected to improve the appointment scheduling process by allowing applicants to book slots in advance, reducing the need to queue in person, and enabling the office to manage appointment availability more efficiently. This usually leads to shorter wait times, more organized handling of applications, and a smoother overall process.
However, the Foreigners' Office is still facing significant challenges, including an increase in the number of people seeking assistance, complex legislative changes, and a shortage of skilled workers. Despite these challenges, the self-service terminals are intended to help streamline the application process and provide a more efficient service to the citizens of Solingen.
For more detailed and specific information about FrontDesk and its impact on the Solingen Foreigners' Office, we recommend checking the official Solingen city or foreigners' office website or contacting them directly.
These self-service terminals, equipped with technology for data entry and biometric information acquisition, help simplify the application process for residence permits and electronic residence titles. Applicants can now eliminate the need for a biometric photo as it is taken directly at the terminals, and staff is available for support when needed.
