Granting a residence permit for family reunification with foreigners
Source: BUS Rheinland-PfalzChildren and husbands or wives of foreign nationals living in Germany can obtain a residence permit for family reasons. With this you may
- move to Germany and
- are entitled to pursue gainful employment.
- "registered civil partnerships" within the meaning of the German Civil Partnership Act
- Civil partnerships recognized under foreign law that are essentially equivalent to a German "registered civil partnership"
Before entering Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country.
After entering Germany, you must apply for a residence permit in writing to the Foreigners' Registration Office before your visa expires.
Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the city administration or the district administration.
- You fulfill the passport and visa requirements.
- Your livelihood is secured without you drawing on public funds.
- There are no grounds for deportation against you.
- Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Your family member already living in Germany has a residence permit in Germany.
- settlement permit,
- permanent residence permit-EG or
- residence permit and
- sufficient living space available.
- additionally in the case of spouse reunification:
- Minimum age of both spouses: 18 years
- basic knowledge of German on the part of the person joining them
- if children between the ages of 16 and 18 are joining the spouse:
- Entry as part of a family with the parents or
- command of the German language or a positive integration prognosis (e.g. due to coming from a German-speaking family or attending a German-speaking school) or
- Existence of a special case of hardship
- Proof of fulfillment of passport and visa requirements
- Proof of secure means of subsistence
- Proof that there are no grounds for deportation against you
- Proof that you do not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Proof of the residence permit of your family member already living in Germany
- Proof of sufficient living space
- Proof of family affiliation (e.g. birth and marriage certificates, proof of a registered civil partnership)
- In the case of spousal reunification additionally:
- Proof of the minimum age of both spouses
- Proof of basic German language skills of the person joining you
- if children between the ages of 16 and 18 are joining the family:
- Proof of entry as part of a family with the parents or
- Proof of German language skills or a positive integration prognosis or
- Proof of particular hardship
- Valid for up to one year: 100 euros
- Valid for more than one year: 110 euros
- Extension up to three months: 65 euros
- Extension for more than three months: 80 euros
Processing can take several weeks.
Young foreign nationals who
- have grown up in Germany or
- have entered the country as part of child reunification,
- Family members of nationals of EU/EEA states who are themselves nationals of an EU or EEA state can enter the country freely and pursue gainful employment.
- Family members of nationals of EU/EEA states who do not themselves belong to an EU or EEA state also have a right of entry and residence
Since September 1, 2011, you will receive a residence permit in the form of a check card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this under Electronic residence permit (eAT).
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