German Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or Partner in Germany
Purpose of this visa is to bring to Germany the family members who reside outside Germany, whether temporarily or permanently in legal ways
Germany immigration support the family member’s reunification to join the family members who live in Germany and to bring family members from non-EU nationals.
To join the family member, spouse or relative in Germany should be able to support financially themselves and the spouse,
Initially they will stay in Family Reunion visa for long stay, later it will be extended to Residence Permit
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Eligible Applicants for a German Family Reunion Visa
In Germany Family Reunion visa, whether it’s a marriage visa, fiancé visa, spouse visa or other family member, the relative of resident in Germany, must meet the eligibility criteria. The main criterion for the German resident is they must be able to financially sponsor the relative whom they are going to sponsor.
Spouse (husband/wife), registered partner of a foreigner residing in Germany
Third-country nationals who are legally residing in Germany can bring over their spouse or registered partner in Germany if they both fulfill some conditions. To be able to obtain the spouse visa, the German resident must:
be in possession of either:
of a settlement permit which is either:
an EU long-term residence permit,
a residence permit or
an EU Blue Card.
capable of financing the other partner / spouse
must be over 18
must know German
On the other hand the immigrating person who wishes to enter Germany under a spouse visa must:
Mother or father (or both parents) residing in Germany are permitted to bring their children to live with them in Germany. However, the requirements for such visa mainly depending on the age of the child.
Minor Children
If both parents are residing in Germany they can bring their child.
Even single parent is permitted to bring their minor child to Germany, if he or she has sole right of care and custody of the child.
In case the parents share the right of care and custody of the child and only one of them resides in Germany, then the parent staying in India must grant to the German resident the right of custody in order to apply for the visa for German Family Reunification visa.
Adult Children
A parent can apply to bring their adult child, only if ‘unavoidable circumstances. The child must not be married in order to be eligible for a Family Reunion Visa.
The child should not apply for any other of visa, such as, German visitor / tourist visa, student visa to study at a German educational institution, employment visa to work in Germany or other German visas.
Other relatives of a foreigner residing in Germany
Other family members can also apply to join their relative living in Germany: if you have siblings in Germany, either brother or sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandparent, or cousins, you can apply to join them. Usually these types of visas are difficult to get visa grant. These type of visas are issued mostly with the purpose of preventing some kind of hardship and specific tough conditions.
Germany Family Reunion Visa Requirements
In order to obtain the visa, you will have to submit some documents at the Germany embassy or consulate in your country.
Generally required documents for a German visa are as following:
Applicant’s passport – valid for at least three more months beyond the period of stay applied for, and no older than 10 years
Two application forms – duly completed with honest and correct information
Two completed and signed notification / explanation forms
Two recent biometric photos – according to the standards set by the ICAO
Travel booking – which is a booked ticket from your home country to Germany
Travel Health Insurance for Germany – which covers applicant’s stay in the whole territory of Germany
Proof of financial means- that usually should be submitted by the person residing in Germany, showing he or she can financially support the immigrating family member. However, if the third-country resident has enough funds to support himself/herself then she or he can submit documents, which show that.
Invitation letter – from the family member who is residing in Germany, confirming they have room for the person wishing to join them
Required documents for German family reunification visa:
Proof of accommodation – that shows the resident in Germany has enough space at their home in Germany for the applicant
Proof of German language skills at least level A1 of the applicant
Spouse / registered partner:
a registration or marriage certificate attested by a foreign officer, translated into German and legalized by the Germany embassy
if the spouse is of German nationality, then a copy of the German spouse’s passport and identity card must be submitted
if the spouse is a non-German residing in Germany, proof of legal residence and their passport must be submitted
Children:
birth certificate
proof of child’s nationality
proof of the right of care and custody of the parent residing in Germany
Remember that all documents must be submitted in either German or English. If the documents are issued in your language, then you will have to provide each of them attached with an attested and legalized translation.
How to apply for a Germany Family Reunion Visa
The application process of a Germany visa to join your family members there is similar to the application process for every other German visa.
Firstly, check with the German embassy in your home country (if you are the one wishing to join a family member in Germany), if they have in their website a checklist of the required documents one has to submit for the German family reunification visa.
If not, require the checklist through email. Upon having it in your hand, start gathering the required documents.
Be careful to obtain all documents as described in the checklist.
They must be in either English or German. If the original documents are issued in your own language, then you will have to submit them alongside with a translation by a certified translator.
Once you have all documents in your hands, appoint a meeting at the German embassy or consulate (or application center if you find one closer to your home).
On the day of the interview, show up on time at German embassy or consulate, with all the documents with you. Pay the visa fee, and then meet the consular officer with whom you will have a short conversation about you, your background, and the real purpose behind your planned travel to Germany.
Germany Family Reunion Visa Fee
You will have to pay a visa fee when you attend the interview in order for your application to be processed. Normally, family reunion long-term visa (category D) costs 75,00 Euro for adults and for children up to 18 years 37,50 Euro.
Keep in mind that if you decide to withdraw your application after you pay the fee, you will not be able to get your money back. Also, if your visa application is rejected, you will not be reimbursed. If you decide to reapply for a Germany family reunification visa you will have to pay the fee again.
German Family Reunion Visa Processing Time
Depending on your case, the processing can take just a few weeks, to months. Therefore, take care to schedule an appointment on time. If at the time the embassy is receiving a lot of applications, your appointment will be scheduled for later, whereas if the applications received at the time are few, then you will get an appointment within several days.
Working in Germany on a Family Visa
According to the German law every adult that comes to Germany on a Family Reunion visa and settles, should be permitted to work. However, there are a few conditions that the relative they are joining shall meet, as follows:
He / she has a residence permit authorizing employment for themselves.
He / she holds an EU Blue Card
He / she is in Germany as a researcher or a highly skilled person.
Of course, the immigrating family member, also needs to have the necessary qualifications.
