Foreign citizens who have moved to Germany and managed to settle here can bring close family members to join and live with them on a German family reunion visa. However, family reunification is possible only by meeting specific requirements.
Below, our German immigration lawyers explain the main aspects of obtaining a family reunion in Germany. They can also provide tailored support and answer all German family reunion visa-related frequently asked questions.
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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 here and obtained a residence permit. For example, third-country nationals mean persons who are from another country outside the European Union, that we are considering foreign citizens coming from:
- Non-EU countries;
- Non-EEA countries;
- Non-Schengen countries.
So, citizens of countries in the European Union, EEA, and Switzerland can enter Germany and then reunite families without having to do additional requirements. On these occasions, one of the frequently asked questions about family reunion visas in Germany is if the family member who joins them must be compliant with any obligations. Though they are not required to apply for any visa, they do have to register with the local police office of the city/town they are living in.
Section 27 of Residence Law and section 3 of EU’s Freedom of Movement Law deals with family reunification. Our immigration lawyers offer detailed information about the German family reunion visa processing time.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa type | The German family reunion visa is a long-stay visa designed for the specific purpose of bringing relatives of German residents to join them. |
|
Eligible family members |
Spouse or registered partner, a child, a parent, siblings, aunts, uncles, etc. |
|
Sponsorship requirement |
Required. |
| Application submission | Applications are submitted to the German embassy with the help of our immigration lawyers. |
| Required documentation |
– completed visa application form; – valid passport; – passport-sized photos; – proof of family relationship; – German resident’s proof of status; – accommodation proof; – health insurance; – proof of financial means; – language proficiency certificate; – visa fee payment receipt. |
| Processing time |
The processing time for a German family reunion visa varies from days to months, contingent on the volume of applications at the German embassy. |
| Language requirements |
At least basic language |
| Health insurance |
You must have health insurance before moving to Germany. |
| Integration courses |
Yes available, some of them are: – General integration course; – Integration course for youths; – Integration course for parents; – Integration course for women. |
| Duration of stay | Same as the German resident (sponsor). |
| Employment opportunities |
Available for the individuals who have a type D visa. |
| Travel within Schengen Area |
Allowed. |
| Rejection reasons |
– incomplete documentation; – the provided documents did not align with the travel purpose; – failure in establishing family ties, etc. |
| Appeal right |
Letter of Appeal for Visa Rejection |
| Legal assistance | Seek legal counsel for your German family reunification visa application. Our team of immigration attorneys in Germany is ready to assist, offering expertise to navigate complexities and facilitate a seamless reunion process. |
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 accepting immigrants. If you are concerned about the German family reunion visa processing time, it must be noted that this process depends on how soon the documents are ready. However, for things like this, you can rely on the services of our law firm in Germany which offers all the necessary support in family relocation.
General prerequisites for family reunion visa in Germany
Before looking into the general checklist of documents required for a German family reunion visa application, let’s outline some prerequisites that both you and your spouse must fulfill to qualify for a family reunion visa in Germany:
1. Registered marriage: Your marriage should have been officially registered before getting a German student visa.
2. Accommodation: If you are a holder of a student residence permit, and your family wants to apply for a family reunion visa in Germany to join you, you must make sure there is a suitable house in Germany for them. This means living space should be sufficient for your family/spouse.
3. Financial resources: You need to demonstrate you have enough financial resources to support both yourself and your spouse without relying on public funds.
Also, it is essential to ensure that all necessary documents are prepared and submitted to facilitate a trouble-free German family reunion visa application process. By meeting these prerequisites and providing the required documents, you can maximize the likelihood of a successful family reunion visa in Germany. If you want to immigrate to Germany on a family reunion visa, we can help. Legal services offered by our experienced immigration German lawyers are at your disposal.
Documents required to apply for a German family reunion visa
When it comes to the documents to be prepared and submitted to the Federal Office of Migration for a family reunion visa in Germany, our lawyers can assist. The most important things to consider are that these depend on the relationships between the sponsor and the people joining him/her. The following documents must be prepared for this visa:
- 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.
If you need more information, our experienced attorneys are ready to answer frequently asked questions on the family reunion visa in Germany. Please consider submitting some additional documents while filing the visa application. Mostly these additional documents should serve as proof of family ties with the sponsor.
Can I bring my family to Germany on a family reunification visa as a student?
A German family reunification visa is specifically designed for family members of international students. This visa allows family members to accompany the foreign students throughout their studies in Germany. Specifically, as an international student holding a German student visa or a student residence permit, you have an opportunity to bring certain family members along.
Eligible family members who can join you during your academic endeavors in German could include your spouse (husband or wife), child, and or parent, depending on circumstances. When applying for a family reunification visa in Germany, you and your partner must be at least 18 years old.
German family reunification visas have their own set of rules and it’s super important to comprehend them. For example, sometimes rules can be tight for different relatives and the overall process might have complexities. Hence, you must be prepared to collect different types of documents, some of which may be very specific. Our German lawyers can assist you in this regard.
Can my spouse work on a family reunification visa in Germany?
Family members joining you during study time have the option to work with a family reunion visa in Germany. Upon arrival in Germany with a family reunion visa, your spouse, for example, will generally have 3 months to change that visa into a residence permit for spouses. When the residence permit is approved, your wife/husband will be eligible to work in Germany.
Frequently asked questions about German family reunification visa
Below, our lawyers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions related to family reunification visas in Germany. Also note that our skilled lawyers provide comprehensive assistance regarding Germany migration:
A family reunification visa remains valid throughout the entire period of your study, meaning a German family reunion visa is effective for a minimum of one year.
Be aware that there is no one-size-fits-all processing time for all cases. The processing time for a German family reunion visa can vary; for example, it may be shorter in certain countries like China (around 8 weeks) and longer in others. Such as in India (where a minimum of 3 months is required). Therefore, it is crucial to check the specific processing times of our immigration lawyers in Germany.
Yes, your spouse must present valid insurance that extends to the initial 3 months of their stay in Germany. Typically, travel insurance is suitable for this period.
A parent can seek permission to bring their adult child if it prevents unavoidable hardship. The adult children must be unmarried if wanting to be qualified for a family reunion visa in Germany.
For a German family reunion long-term visa (category D), you can expect a fee of 75.00 Euros for adults and 37.50 Euros for children up to 18 years old.
These are the frequently asked questions about family reunion visas in Germany. If you still have additional questions about relocation to Germany, please feel free to ask our immigration lawyers.
Number of foreigners 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:
- In 2022, there were about 13.38 million non-German residents in Germany, defined as individuals who do not hold German citizenship according to Article 116, Paragraph 1 of the German constitution;
- As of 2021, Germany was home to 1.4 million Turkish 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 Romanians registered as German residents.
After German immigration, if you are seeking further legal help, our lawyers can help you. For instance, our legal team can offer you a practical guide regarding the German residence permit application procedure.
After moving to Germany, if you have spent a specified time in this country. You might be eligible for citizenship. We can help you understand the requirements of German citizenship and assist you with its application process.
Please contact our lawyers to get step-by-step guidance about German migration. We can also offer you legal help regarding acquiring a family reunion visa in Germany.
