Germany Family Reunification Visa

The Germany Family Reunification Visa offer a legal pathway to join your spouse, child, or parents for long-term residence in Germany. If your family member is a German citizen, an EU Blue Card holder, or a non-EU resident with a valid residence permit, this visa allows you to live together in Germany.

The application process is handled by the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the German Consulate General in Dubai, depending on your place of residence. Once this Germany visa is approved, it grants you a 90-day entry period to travel to the country, after which you will have to convert it into a long-term residence permit after arriving in Germany.

Who Needs Family Reunification Visa for Germany?

If you are planning to live in Germany with close family members who are legally residing there, you will need a Family Reunification Visa. This visa allows you to live with your family and build a stable life in Germany.

Eligible applicants include:

• Spouses or registered partners of German citizens or non-EU residents with a valid residence permit.
• Children under 18 joining one or both parents in Germany.
• Parents of minor children residing in Germany.
• Fiancé(e)s of German or non-EU residents who intend to marry in Germany.
• Non-EU/EEA nationals planning to stay in Germany long-term with their immediate family.

Benefits of Germany Family Reunification Visa

The benefits of the Family Reunification Visa in Germany are as follows:

• Live with your family legally in Germany.
  Ensures legal residency to reunite and stay together with your loved ones.
• Access to education for children.
  Children can enrol in Germany’s quality public education system.
• Right to work.
  Allows eligible family members to seek employment and become financially independent.
• Pathway to permanent residence and integration.
  Enables long-term settlement and a future pathway to German citizenship.
• Access to healthcare and social services.
  Grants entry to Germany’s comprehensive healthcare and social support systems.
• Learn German; integrate through language and cultural programs.
  Offers integration courses to support language learning and social inclusion.

Documents Required for Family Reunion Visa Germany

The documents required to apply for a Germany Family Reunification Visa from the UAE are as follows:

• Visa application form.
  – Must be completed in English or German, signed, and dated by the applicant.
  – For minors, include a signed ‘Authorisation – Minors’ form with copies of parents’/guardians’ passports.
  – Submit 2 printed copies.
• Valid passport.
  – Original passport + 2 copies (plus UAE residence permit, Emirates ID).
  – Issued within the last 10 years.
  – Be valid for at least 1 year.
  – Two blank pages. 
• Photographs.
  – 3 recent biometric photos, taken in the last 6 months.
• Previous Schengen/German visas (if any).
  – Copies of old resident permits and Schengen visas.
• Spouse details.
  – Passport copy, residence permit (if they are a foreign national), and residence certificate in Germany (not older than 6 months).
• Marriage certificate proof.
  – Original required (For foreign certificates, authentication is required).
• Proof of accommodation in Germany.
  – Lease agreement or property deed (if spouse lives in Germany).
• Proof of financial means.
  – Spouse’s employment contract and last 3 salary slips (if spouse lives in Germany).
• Basic German language skills (A1 level).
  – Certificate from a recognised institute such as Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, or TestDaF.
  – Exemptions: Spouse of a Blue Card holder, self-employed, parent of a German minor/unborn child.
• Valid health insurance.
  – Valid public or private insurance covering the applicant in Germany.
  – If applying with spouse or parent (employment purpose), provide insurance confirmation on the interview day.

How to Apply for Germany Family Reunification Visa from Dubai?

If you are currently living in Dubai and planning to reunite with your family in Germany, you must apply for a Germany Family Reunification Visa. You must apply through the German Consulate in Dubai or the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi, based on your emirate of residence. Follow these steps:

1. Book an appointment through the official website of the German Consulate or Embassy.
2. Prepare all required documents in duplicate. These include:
   • A valid passport.
   • Completed visa application form and declaration of accuracy.
   • Marriage or birth certificate (as applicable).
   • Proof of relationship (e.g., family registry or marriage registration).
   • Proof of accommodation 
   • Proof of sufficient financial resources.
   • A passport copy and a residence permit of your family member in Germany.
   • Proof of German language skills (A1 level, not mandatory).
3. Attend your visa appointment with all original documents along with photocopies. 
4. Pay the visa fee of €75. Once submitted, your application will enter the processing stage.
5. Processing time can take up to 12 weeks, depending on the case. 
6. Once approved, you will be issued a 90-day national visa. 
7. After you arrive in Germany, you will need to register your family members and your home address at the Residents’ Registration Office. 
8. After which you will have to apply for a residence permit at the local foreigners’ authority. 
9. Request a list of required documents from the authority and begin preparations.
10. Apply under the appropriate category – spouse or child reunification. Fees for the residence permit may add up to €100.

Please note: Incomplete or incorrect documentation leads to delays or rejection. Since the processing may take time, and as there are often long waiting lists for appointments, we recommend checking the required documents early and submitting your application well in advance.

Eligibility Criteria for Family Reunification Visa in Germany:

Who can you join under this visa?

To join your spouse or fiancé:

• Minimum age of spouse: 18 years old.
• Proof of marriage or registered civil partnership, or in the case of an engagement, an officially confirmed registration of marriage. 
• Proof of German language proficiency (at level A1).

To join a parent(as a child):

• The child must be under 18 years old at the time of application.
• The parent residing in Germany must have sole or joint custody of the child.
• If the child is over 16 years old, they must provide proof of German language skills at the C1 level.

To join your German or foreign child:

• If the child is German, they must be under 18 years old.
• If one parent is a German citizen, the child acquires German citizenship at birth through parentage. In some cases, the child may also hold dual nationality, depending on the parents’ citizenship.
• If the child holds a residence permit on humanitarian grounds or has subsidiary protection, the child must be a minor residing in Germany without a custodial parent.
• If the child is a foreign national working in Germany as a skilled worker, the child’s residence permit must have been issued on or after 1 March 2024.
• Parents and parents-in-law can immigrate to join the foreign child if the child has a residence permit as a skilled worker.

How to Extend Family Reunion Visa in Germany?

If you want to extend your stay beyond the initial validity (90 days), you need to apply for a residence permit extension at your local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde) before your visa expires.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to extend your Germany Family Reunification Visa after reaching Germany:

1. Book an appointment at the Foreigners’ office

• Schedule an appointment online or by phone at the Ausländerbehörde in your city or town.
• It is best to apply at least 4 – 6 weeks before your visa expires.

2. Prepare the required documents

Make sure to bring the following documents (originals and copies):

• Valid passport.
• Current residence permit.
• Completed application form for residence permit extension.
• Biometric passport photos.
• Proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate).
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of financial support.
• Health insurance coverage.
• German language certificate (if applicable).

3. Attend the appointment

• Submit your documents online or in person.
• Attend an in-person interview if required.
• If all documents are complete and approved, you will receive a residence permit card valid for 1 year or potentially up to the duration of the sponsor’s residence permit, depending on your situation.

4. Fee payment

• Pay the fees. The fees usually range from €100 to €120, depending on the duration and the applicant’s age.

Pro tip:

• Do not let your visa expire before applying for an extension.
• If your spouse or family member in Germany changes their status, you may also need to update yours.
• Over time, continued extensions may lead to permanent residency if you meet integration, language, and residency requirements.

Note: If you don’t extend your Germany Family Reunification Visa before it expires, you could be considered an illegal resident, risking fines, deportation, or future visa bans. Always apply for an extension well in advance to maintain your legal status.

Germany Family Reunification Visa Processing Time

Once all the required documents are submitted, your Germany Family Reunification Visa application will be forwarded to the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) at your intended place of residence in Germany. The processing time can take up to 12 weeks, depending on the workload and specific case details. It is important to ensure that all documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays in the process. Although the Germany Family Reunification Visa is a national visa, it also allows you to travel to other Schengen countries for short stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes.

Conclusion:

Eager to join your loved ones in Germany? Navigating the Germany Family Reunification Visa process can feel overwhelming without the right guidance. That’s where CanApprove, your trusted immigration consultants in Dubai, come in.  We specialise in simplifying this complex immigration process for you. 

Our expert team provides personalised support, helps you gather and prepare all necessary documents, and stays with you every step of the way, ensuring your application is complete, timely, and compliant with all requirements, ensuring you have a smooth journey from application to arrival in Germany.

Let us help you bring your family together. Contact CanApprove today to get started!