Luxembourg: Authorities Pause Issuance of Immigration Documents Pending Department Overhaul

• Affected documentation. The pause applies to all immigration-related documentation, including all temporary authorizations, visas, and work and residence permits.
• Foreign nationals currently in Luxembourg. All foreign workers currently in Luxembourg who are awaiting either initial or extended work permits will not lose their legal migration status if their immigration documentation expires during this time. Such foreign nationals should nonetheless reconsider any travel plans in this period, as they would not be able to return to Luxembourg under expired documentation.
• Foreign nationals outside Luxembourg awaiting documentation. Foreign nationals currently outside Luxembourg will not be able to receive any immigration documentation and therefore not be able to travel to Luxembourg until after the end of the current pause.

Employers of affected foreign nationals may need to postpone work start dates for employees currently awaiting temporary authorizations or visas. Additionally, there may be government processing delays even after issuing of documentation recommences due to a likely backlog of applications.

The pause in issuing documentation comes amid a reorganization of immigration responsibilities within the government following the October 2023 parliamentary elections.

It is currently unclear when the Department will restart issuing documentation. We will report on related developments.