Granting a residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign minor to the German parent

• If required for entry into Germany, a national visa for the child must be applied for at a German mission abroad before entering the country.
• After entry, the child must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office before the visa-free stay period or the validity of the visa ends.
• Find out whether the competent immigration authority makes it possible to apply online or whether it provides a special application form.
• If the application is only possible in person, an appointment must be made at the Foreigners' Registration Office. In the case of online applications, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receipt of the application to make an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and the identity of the child as well as the available documents will be checked (please bring all documents, if possible in the original, to the appointment).
• If your application is granted, the child's fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT card for short). No fingerprints are taken from children under the age of six
• The Foreigners' Registration Office commissions Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

The immigration authority responsible for the place of residence of the applicant is responsible for processing the application.

• A parent with custody has German citizenship.
• The child has a valid identity document.
• The child has the required visa if it was required for entry.
• The child is a minor, neither married, divorced nor widowed at the time of application.
• The German parent has his habitual residence in Germany.
• The father or motherhood to the child is proven.
• The German parent is actually and legally willing and able to establish a family cohabitation with the child to be moved in. This is assumed if the personal custody of the child exists. However, personal custody is not a prerequisite for the issuance of the residence permit.
• There is no reason for expulsion of the child.

• Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport replacement) of the child and the German parent
• Child's visa, if required for entry
• Current biometric photo of the child in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Birth certificate of the child
• Proof of recognition of paternity if the parents are not married and the reunification with the German father is to take place.
• If a parent with custody remains abroad:
  • Proof of custody
  • Declaration of consent of the parent living abroad.

The documents and information must always be presented in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners' Registration Office may require less or more evidence.

Cost: 50 Euro

Remark:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of the residence permit in the form of the electronic residence permit, which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

• § 45 Number 1 Residence Ordinance
• § 50 paragraph 1 Residence Ordinance

Duration: 6 to 8

Remark (for more information on the deadline):

At the latest six to eight before the end of the visa-free period of stay or the visa, the application should be received by the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Duration: at least 1

Remark (for more information on the deadline):

The residence permit is temporary. An extension must be applied for in good time before the expiry of the validity at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Duration: approx. 6 to 8

Note for further information on the processing time:

The production of the electronic residence permit by Bundesdruckerei takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

• § 28 paragraph 1 sentence 1 number 2 Residence Act (AufenthG)

• Appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office
• Action before the court referred to in the notice of opposition if the opposition is not complied with

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

• The residence permit is issued for a limited period of time, i.e. After the expiry of the period of validity, you must arrange for an extension of the residence permit for the child yourself.
• Please make sure that your information is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the Foreigners' Registration Office can process your request without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to you. In an emergency, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time to the Foreigners' Registration Office may result in the withdrawal of already granted residence rights, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from federal territory.

31.05.0022