The German Family Reunion visa is a long-stay visa issued for bringing family members of German residents to Germany. It is for foreign family members (spouse, same-sex partner, child, or parent) of German citizens who have lived in Germany with a residence permit for a minimum of three years in the same home with their German citizen spouse. The visa is valid for a minimum of three years and requires proof of address such as a valid driver’s license, utility bill, or lease original marriage certificate.
For non-EU nationals, the German Family Reunion Visa (Spouse) is available. To apply for a visa for family reunification in Germany, applicants must provide a valid family reunion visa, marriage certificate, valid identification, proof of identity, and other necessary documents. The process can take up to 12 weeks, and the Embassy/Consulate will issue a national visa once the application is approved by the German authority.
The processing time for a German family reunion visa application is 75 Euros, and applicants must pay the fee in local currency based on the exchange rate at the time. The application form must be completed online with VIDEX, printed out twice, and duly signed by the applicant. A valid national passport and a copy of the birth certificate are also required.
For non-EU nationals, the German Family Reunion Visa (Spouse) is available for non-EU nationals. For more information on applying for a German visa, notarization of German documents, and other requirements, visit the websites of the German missions abroad.
Article | Description | Site |
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German Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or Partner … | First, make an appointment with the German Immigration authorities. Since there are always a lot of people at their offices, they do not accept walk-in … | germany-visa.org |
Family Reunion Visa – joining German spouse, fiancé(e) or … | The processing can take up to 12 weeks. As soon as the application has been approved by the German authority, the Embassy/Consulate will issue a national visa … | germany.info |
Spouses joining citizens of non-EU countries | To apply for a visa for the purpose of family reunification, you will generally need to produce a passport and a marriage certificate, civil partnership … | make-it-in-germany.com |
📹 How To Get a Dependent Visa in Germany? – Step by Step Guide
This visa is also called a Family Reunion Visa, This visa is for the spouse and children of the immigrant!
Who Is Eligible For A Family Reunion Visa In Germany?
In Germany, family reunification allows spouses, registered partners, minor unmarried children, and parents to migrate to join their relatives, emphasizing the protection of marriage and family. Eligible individuals for a Family Reunion Visa include spouses of German citizens, children under 18, and family members of non-Germans residing in Germany. This long-stay visa is designed to facilitate family unity. Applicants must typically provide documentation, including proof of residence, a valid marriage certificate, and health insurance coverage of at least €30, 000.
The visa allows family members to enter Germany and, upon meeting certain criteria, obtain a residence permit corresponding to their status. Eligibility criteria encompass non-EU nationals wishing to live with family members in Germany, which may include adult children, parents, and other close relatives. Conditions require that the individuals involved be at least 18 years old and the marriage must comply with German law.
For those intending longer stays (over 90 days), acquiring a residence permit is mandatory, regardless of nationality. Overall, the Family Reunion Visa process necessitates understanding specific requirements and documentation to ensure eligibility for joining family in Germany. Eligible applicants seeking family reunification can thus enjoy the right to work upon arrival.
Who Can Apply For Family Reunification In Germany?
Spouses, registered partners, parents, and minor unmarried children can migrate to Germany for family reunification to safeguard the institution of marriage and family. The family reunion visa is available to spouses and unmarried children under 18 of EU/EEA nationals residing in Germany. This long-term visa aims to facilitate reunification of families with German residents. Eligible applicants include citizens from the USA, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Korea, and EU citizens.
While family members of various national origins can apply, the application must first be made at a German embassy or consulate in their home country. Family members arriving in Germany for reunification can work there after obtaining the necessary visa. Immediate family members allowed include spouses, minor children, and parents of minors; other relatives, including siblings, do not have such rights. A valid residence permit is required for those already in Germany to reunite with their families.
Specific conditions apply based on nationality and marital laws, particularly for marriages established during a refugee process. The visa application must be processed in person at German diplomatic missions, ensuring adherence to regulations delineating effective marriages or legal parentage per German law. Non-EU family members can collectively benefit from this visa, promoting family unity within Germany's legal framework.
Who Is Eligible For Family Reunion?
Family reunion options in the UK are available for partners or children of those who were part of a family unit before being forced to leave their home country, granted they have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection. Eligible family members include spouses, civil partners, unmarried/same-sex partners, and biological children under 18 years old. The Refugee Family Reunion scheme allows eligible spouses or partners and children who were part of the family prior to the sponsor’s departure to join them in the UK.
To apply under this scheme, the spouse or partner must provide evidence of a valid marriage or partnership, a genuine relationship, and the intention to live together permanently. Eligibility criteria for other countries, such as the United States, also include the ability for U. S. citizens or permanent residents to sponsor immediate relatives for a Green Card. This includes spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents.
Refugees and asylees in the U. S. have specific processes to petition for family members to join them. The petitioning individual must have been a refugee or asylum beneficiary for at least two years. Additionally, Germany offers a Family Reunion Visa for German residents to bring their family members, with eligibility criteria outlined in their Residence Act.
This serves as an overview of the various family reunion provisions in different countries, highlighting eligibility requirements and the necessary application processes.
How Do I Book An Appointment For A German Family Reunion Visa?
Appointments for all national visa categories (excluding "Re-Entry") must be arranged through VFS Global's appointment portal, accessible at https://visa. vfsglobal. com/ind/en/deu/book-an-appointment. All German Missions mandate appointment scheduling for visa applications, which must utilize the free online appointment system. To determine the appropriate submission location and procedures, please refer to the Consulate Finder. Appointments cannot be made via phone or email, and it is essential to ensure that the passport numbers match during appointments.
For German Family Reunion Visas, the application process aligns with other visa procedures. Booking an appointment through the online system is compulsory, and slots may take months to secure, with potential processing delays extending to three months. Prior to applying, complete the German visa application form and gather necessary documents.
For UK residents, applications must be submitted at the corresponding TLS Contact Visa Application Centre. It's critical to attend the appointment with all required documentation, as only one application can be processed per appointment. Starting March 1, 2023, Schengen Visa appointments must be booked via BLS International. The online booking system is complimentary, and applicants must schedule their own appointments. Lastly, multiple appointments are required for each family member.
How Long Does It Take To Get German Family Reunion Visa?
The processing time for a family reunion visa in Germany typically ranges from 1 to 3 months upon submission of the application and required documents to the Aliens' Authority (Ausländerbehörde) relevant to the applicant's residence. On average, applicants can expect around 3 months for processing, though times can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and the specific immigration office's workload. In certain cases, expedited processing may be available.
The average processing time is estimated at approximately 120 days, but applicants should be aware of the possible delays due to missing documents, which can lead to rejections or extended verification processes taking 8 to 12 weeks.
Eligibility for the visa is contingent on relationship status, and applicants must typically apply in person. It is important to submit comprehensive documentation to avoid delays. Additionally, family members—such as spouses, same-sex partners, children, or parents—of German citizens may apply for a settlement permit after living together in Germany for a specified period. Lastly, while family reunion visa processing can range from weeks to months, applicants are encouraged to submit their visas early to account for any unexpected delays in the process.
When Should I Apply For A German Family Reunion Residence Permit?
Ideally, your spouse should apply for the German family reunion residence permit 6 weeks prior to the expiration of the family visa. Processing by the Foreigners' Authority typically takes around 4-6 weeks. Upon arrival in Germany on a Family Reunion Visa, the visa holder must register with local immigration authorities to obtain a residence permit. This permit is for foreign family members (spouse, same-sex partner, child, or parent) of German citizens who have lived together in Germany for a minimum of three years.
It is mandatory for anyone intending to stay in Germany for more than 90 days to secure a residence permit, regardless of their nationality. Visa applicants are encouraged to apply for the residence permit as soon as they register their address, and they should make an appointment with immigration authorities, as processing queues may be long. Children under 18 can claim a residence permit if both parents hold valid permits and move to Germany with them.
For family reunion applications, financial resource proofs may be waived in cases involving children joining a German national. Upon application approval, a national visa for the initial 90 days will be issued. It is also necessary for both spouses to be over 18 for the residence permit to be granted. A family reunion is contingent upon the legal validity of the marriage or parentage under German law.
Can I Bring My Brother To Germany Permanently?
Your family can apply for a residence permit for family reunification at the Immigration Office, as outlined in §§27-36 of the Residence Act. This process typically proceeds quickly since the Office has already reviewed their visa documents. Permanent right of residence can be granted to foreign family members of German nationals after three years, assuming the family unit remains intact in Germany.
To bring family members here, you must have a valid residence permit, which can be an EU Blue Card, Settlement Permit, or Long-term residence permit. EU citizens don't require a visa or residence permit, enjoying Freedom of Movement in Germany.
Familiennachzug (family reunion) allows individuals to bring family to Germany if already residing there. EU citizens working in Germany can also bring their family. Legally residing individuals can reunite with spouses, registered partners, and minor children. Spousal reunification applies to partners from Germany or other EU countries, as well as citizens from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. Conditions exist, and your residence status is critical to your ability to bring family members.
Generally, holding a valid residence permit allows you to reunify with your legally recognized spouse and dependent children. While you cannot bring siblings, relatives can visit through an obligation letter. For family reunification, a registered address in Germany is necessary.
How Much Is The Family Reunion Visa In Germany?
Visa fees for a German Family Reunion Visa are set at €75. 00 for applicants aged 18 and over, and €37. 50 for children under 18. The fees are waived for spouses and children of German or EU citizens, as well as parents of German or EU minors. The processing time for this visa can range from several days to several months, as it aims to facilitate the reunification of non-EU family members with their relatives residing in Germany. In addition to the initial visa application fees, costs for residence permits may vary from €56 to €100 for adults and between €28 to €50 for minors.
Extensions for these permits also incur fees, ranging from €49 to €96 for adults and from €24. 5 for minors. Individuals from certain countries, like Switzerland and South Korea, can apply for residence permits upon arrival without prior visa applications. However, others must seek a Family Reunion Visa to join family in Germany. Although termed a "national visa," it also allows entrance into other Schengen countries. For applications from outside Germany, such as from India, it is essential to demonstrate financial stability, including showing a minimum balance of €3, 000.
Detailed guidance on application processes, required documents, and eligibility for this visa is crucial for successful family reunification in Germany. In summary, while the application incurs fees and requirements, it ultimately serves to unite families across borders.
What Are The Requirements For Family Reunification?
Family reunification in the U. S. allows certain refugees and their immediate family, defined as parents, spouses, or unmarried children under 21, to seek admission. The Department of Homeland Security introduced new parole processes in May 2023 for nationals from specific Central American countries. Eligible candidates must be sponsored by U. S. citizens and hold approved family-based petitions. Beneficiaries must be outside the U. S. and meet various requirements, including screening and vaccination, to qualify.
Applications involve filing an Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) and can include the submission of Form I-134A, which serves as a declaration of financial support. The support extends to essential services like transportation, healthcare, legal assistance, and education. Various family reunification pathways exist, each with distinct eligibility criteria and relative sponsorship possibilities. Generally, refugees can only apply for immediate family members, while broader family definitions vary by country of origin.
In parallel, certain U. S. legislation aims to facilitate immigrant family reunification and improve per-country immigration quotas. Furthermore, recent policies focus on assisting Afghans in the U. S. seeking to reunite with family members still in Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of community ties and support throughout the immigration process.
Who Is Eligible For Family Reunification In Germany?
Spouses, registered partners, parents, and unmarried minor children can migrate to Germany to join family members, promoting the protection of the institution of marriage and family. Eligible family members, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents of German citizens and permanent residents, can apply for a Family Reunion Visa. This long-term visa facilitates the reunification of families by allowing non-EU family members to join their relatives in Germany. To qualify, the German resident must have a valid residence permit or citizenship, and the applicant must demonstrate a close familial relationship.
Eligible candidates for the residence permit include foreign spouses, same-sex partners, and minor, unmarried children of a German national or non-German resident with a valid permit. In certain cases, family members accompanying students in Germany can also apply. Those granted asylum or refugee status have specific rights to family reunification, including for spouses and children.
A visa is required for any stay exceeding 90 days. Proof of marriage or partnership, as well as German language skills (at least A1), is required. Furthermore, dependents must not be married, divorced, or widowed, and must be under 18. Eligible family members include spouses, registered partners, and dependent minor children. Applications are subject to specific regulations based on nationality and the existing residence permit status of the German resident.
How Much Bank Balance Is Required For A Germany Tourist Visa?
For obtaining a Germany tourist visa from India, the general requirement is to have at least 7, 300 INR (€80) in your bank account for each day of your stay. This financial sufficiency can be demonstrated through bank statements and proof of employment or income. For a German Schengen visa, applicants must show a minimum of EUR 45 (approximately USD 48. 82) per day for their time in Germany. The specific bank balance needed can vary based on individual circumstances, including the purpose of the visit and duration of stay.
For short stays of up to 90 days, the German Embassy typically requests a minimum bank balance ranging from €2, 000 to €5, 000. The requirements differ for each Schengen country, and thus applicants should ensure they meet the set regulations. It's also important to note that bank statements from savings accounts or cash cannot be accepted as proof of funds. Applicants must ensure their bank statements are recent, signed, and stamped by the bank.
As of 2023, there were significant numbers of Schengen visa applications from UK residents, highlighting the need for awareness of the requirements. Overall, demonstrating sufficient funds is crucial for a successful visa application, allowing travelers to support themselves during their stay in Germany.
📹 How to Get Family Reunion Visa in Germany
In this video I discuss How to Get Family Reunion Visa in Germany ❤️ My Favourite ❤️ Broker: …
Thank you for this article Harshad! Can you please clarify/confirm the point @1:26? So the dependents of the workers who are in the category like Skilled workers etc doesn’t need to have any german language to get Family reunification visa and to get PR also? Or for PR, language is necessary? And also can you please confirm if Engineers will come under Skilled Workers category?
I am traveling to Germany next month on Blue card visa, my wife and son will come later. My questions are 1. Is birth certificate mandatory for wife also ?( my son has but wife doesn’t have) 2. In documents list Priest certificate is also asked so is it also mandatory if we have marriage certificate and our names slso mentioned on birth certificate of my son? 3. If Priest certificate is mandatory, can it be from any Priest if Priest who performed marriage not available?
Thanks Harshad for making such a informative article on family reunion visa. I have a query regarding the family union visa for blue card applicants. My spouse, my child, and I applied together for German nation visa under Blue card + dependents category. My spouse got her processed visa but my child’s and mine application is under process. Do they process dependent visa separately and how much is the waiting time to get processed visa?
Your articles are very informative. Can you please make a article on areas in Frankfurt where we can stay and is safe, or something around moving to Frankfurt. Also, things we need to prepare and do before and after we get work visa in Blue card category. Any helpfull links would also be nice. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your great effort in making a detailed explanation. I am having one doubt. Please look into it. The spouse in India had submitted visa application via VFS. During the visa processing stage. Dose the spouse in Germany need to visit the visa office along with the documents ? Or is it necessarily not required? Actually in our case the spouse in Germany got an e-Mail to submit some documents via email. We are actually curious about what may be the next steps.(Student Dependent visa category). Is it commonly require to visit the visa office in Germany for the same ?
Hi ! Thanks a lot for the information. I had a doubt and asking since I didn’t get any information online and you also mentioned that we can do the application if we have a temporary work permit. I have a temporary blue card (Fiktionsbescheinigung) and waiting for my actual blue card but may take very long. Sometimes 6 months. I wanted to ask whether with the temporary blue card can I apply for the Spouse Visa for my wife? It would be nice if you could share some light on this.
Hello Your article is very informative My question is I have unlimited contract of job & I am a BLUE CARD HOLDER, but my probation period until May 2023, I have Salary slips for three month in that case my wife & 5 year old child can apply for visa now? Or they have to wait until completion of my probation Please Guide me
Hi Harshad ! Amazing article, Thanks a lot, please help me to know as l I am trying family reunion visa since 2 month for slot booking in vfs delhi website not success. Any help to get idea to applying to get appointment. I have not seen the page for filling appointment, just to know do we fill all the member passport details or only spouse passport entry will work. Thanks
I have student visa(Residence permit). Can I bring my minor child? During appointment booking I am confused.ple guide me which one I will choose? 1.which visa application centre I will choose- Kolkata VFS centre Or Kolkata consulate General of Germany .Is it Kolkata VFS centre? 2.which Appointment category I will choose – is it under Family Reunion? 3.which sub-category I will choose – is it Spouse/ child of an Indian/Foreign with BC/ICT card/ staff exchange / Scientists/scholarship holders or holders ? Please reply anyone if you have previously experience. Thank you
Useful article bro. Keep up. I need one more clarification on the same topic. I recently moved to Munich and started working (in probation). As of now staying alone in Studio apartment 36 square metres. My family(wife and 2 kids) are in India. I’m facing difficulty in finding a bigger apartment which in turn delay initiating FRV because I’m not meeting the minimum 13 square meters per person requirment. Will German consulate reject my application if I initiate FRV with 36 square meters itself ? Meanwhile, by the time my family arrives I will ensure I will have a big apartment for their KVR process here. Thanks
Forget Germany. Second highest taxes (after Belgium) in the world, sky high rental home prices. Salaries in IT are just average. Increasing number of illegal immigrants (33,000+ monthly), most of them are (under-educated) muslims (Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq) living on social benefits forever (sponsored by German tax payers). Poor education level in many schools, particular in the big cities, etc. FY: Every year, about 200,000+ skilled Germans are leaving the country. Miy kids will leave, too! Good luck! 😁
Hello everyone I need your help regarding Visa. I have applied for masters in Germany particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia and I’m hoping to receive an offer letter soon from the universities. I have applied in 3 Courses details- Masters in Sports management/ masters in international business, masters in finance, 2 years). What should I do if I would like to take my spouse along with me as a dependent. Is there anyway I can take my spouse along with me rather than going there and then processing his visa.