Foreign citizens who have moved to Germany and managed to settle here can bring close family members to join and live with them for limited or unlimited periods of time. However, family reunification is possible only by meeting specific requirements.
Below, our immigration lawyers explain the main aspects of obtaining a family reunion visa in Germany. They can also provide tailored support and answer all frequently asked questions on this topic.
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The family reunification visa in Germany – aspects to consider
The family reunion visa in Germany can be requested by third-country nationals who have immigrated to this country and have obtained a residence permit. By third-country nationals, we understand foreign citizens coming from:
- non-EU countries;
- non-EEA countries;
- non-Schengen countries.
Therefore, citizens of countries in the European Union, the EEA, and Switzerland can enter Germany and then reunite with their families without completing additional requirements.
In this case, one of the frequently asked questions on the family reunion visa in Germany is if the family members joining them must comply with any requirement. While they are not required to apply for any visa, they must register with the local police office in the city/town they will live in.
Family reunification in Germany is covered by Section 27 in the Residence Law and Section 3 in the EU’s Freedom of Movement Law.
Our immigration lawyers can also offer detailed information on the Germany family reunion visa processing time.
Who qualifies for a family reunion visa in Germany?
Foreign citizens who want to apply for a family reunification visa in Germany must meet specific conditions themselves, however, these are not very stringent and imply any of the following:
- for him/her to have a German residence permit;
- for him/her to have an EU Blue Card;
- to be self-employed in Germany and have a work permit in this sense;
- for him/her to have obtained German citizenship in the meantime;
- to have the financial means to support him/herself and the family members joining them;
- valid health insurance and decent living conditions to accommodate the incoming family.
The last three conditions apply to all German residents acting as sponsors.
When it comes to the family members who can join a German residence permit holder or citizen by naturalization, it is worth noting that the authorities here are quite flexible and allow sponsors to bring:
- their spouses and civil partners;
- their minor and adult children;
- their parents and siblings;
- other family members, such as uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and so on.
Germany is an open country when it comes to immigration, including that of third-country nationals.
With respect to the Germany family reunion visa processing time, it should be noted that it depends on how soon the documents are ready and if the application file is complete. However, for such aspects, you can rely on our specialists’ services who can offer all the necessary support in family immigration.
Our immigration law firm in Germany can help foreign citizens who want to come here for the first time or who want to have their families joining them.
A special type of German residence permit is the limited one. It is a temporary visa that enables a non-EU citizen to stay here for a short duration with the possibility of extension. When can you apply for it? When you do not qualify for immigration by employment, investment, and/or family reunion.
One of the main requirements to obtain German citizenship is having a good knowledge of the national language. You should know that you can benefit from various courses created by the government that are meant to help with the integration of foreigners with the local society.
Documents required to apply for a German family reunion visa
When it comes to the papers to be prepared and filed with the Federal Office for Migration for a family reunion visa in Germany, the most important thing to consider is that these depend on the relationship between the sponsor (person established here) and the person joining him her. Generally speaking, the following papers must be prepared:
- the passport of the incoming family member (at least 3 months validity is required for this document);
- an application which must be submitted in two forms;
- two biometric photos;
- an invitation letter from the German sponsor;
- proof of having a basic level of the German language;
- proof of residential address once arrived in Germany.
Then, based on the relationship with the German resident, the marriage certificate, birth certificate, and other supporting documents indicating family ties need to be presented.
If you need more information, our lawyers are ready to answer frequently asked questions on the family reunion visa in Germany.
How many foreigners live in Germany?
When it comes to foreign citizens legally living and who can apply for a family reunification visa in Germany, we present the following details:
- at the level of 2020, the largest community of expats belonged to the Turks with 1,461,910 residents;
- the second-largest community is that of Polish citizens with residency – 866,690 inhabitants;
- at the level of 2020, there were also 799,180 Romanian registered as German residents.
If you need more information on the Germany family reunion visa processing time, please contact us.
