FAMILY
Marriage and family have a special status in Germany, which is protected by the German Constitution. This protection also applies to immigrants. Those who do not have EU citizenship have the possibility of family reunion under certain requirements.
The right to join the family generally applies to the core family, i.e. spouses, minor children and parents of minor children.
Family reunification with third-country nationals is possible if the family member already living in Germany is in possession of a residence permit, EU permanent residence permit or settlement permit, has sufficient living space and is able to secure a (financial) living for the family.
1. Requirements
The requirements and procedure for family reunification depend on many factors, including the nationality of your partner and the purpose of his or her stay in Germany.
Even if your partner comes from a third country, you can look forward to a joint future in Germany. The following requirements must be met for spousal reunification:
- Residence title: As an employee, you have a residence or settlement permit or an “EU Blue Card” for Germany.
- Living space: You have successfully rented a flat in Germany that offers sufficient space for your family.
- Health insurance & income: You have sufficient health insurance coverage and financial resources to provide for your family.
- Legal age: Your spouse is of legal age, i.e. at least 18 years old.
We will be happy to advise you specifically on your case. Contact us.
2. Procedure
- Check requirements (we will support you in this)
- Book an appointment with the relevant German Foreign Mission (we will support you in this)
- Prepare documents (we will support you in this)
- Attend a personal appointment at the competent German Foreign Mission
- Apply for visa (we will support you in this)
- Enter Germany
- Registering your place of residence at the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt)
- Applying for a residence permit at the competent Foreigners’ Authority
The German Foreign Mission requires the consent of the competent domestic Foreigners’ Authority in Germany to issue the visa. The Embassy has no influence on the processing time of the application at the Foreigners’ Authority. Experience shows that processing takes an average of 8 weeks.
When the residence title is issued, the spouse who has come to Germany is immediately granted the unrestricted right to take up employment in Germany.
3. Costs
The visa application for family reunification with a German national or EU citizen is free of charge.
For the visa application for family reunification to a foreign national, Foreign Missions charges EUR 75.00 (approx. USD 80.00).
We are happy to support you with the necessary steps and provide you with all the required information, useful overviews and checklists, and are available for any queries in personal calls.
STUDENTS
Would you like to study in Germany? Studying in Germany opens up many attractive opportunities. There are many international study programmes and the fees are low. To do this, you can obtain a visa for the purpose of studying in Germany.
Germany attracts many international students every year because of the wide range of study programmes and low fees. Here you will find information on how to apply for a student visa.
A student visa also covers study preparation measures, such as language courses or attendance at a preparatory college or similar institution, as well as doctoral studies as a full-time study programme at a German university.
1. Requirements
- Student status: You are admitted to a state-recognised higher education institution in Germany.
- School graduation / university degree: You can provide proof of a school graduation with university access or a recognised university degree.
- Secured financial resources: Your financial resources are secured for the duration of your studies. You can prove this in the form of a blocked account (in principle at least EUR 11,208 – approx. USD 12,000 – per year; amount valid for the year 2023), scholarship or a declaration of commitment.
- Language skills, if applicable: Depending on the study requirements of your study programme, you may have to prove to the German embassy or consulate that you have the language skills required for your studies. If you need to prove your German language skills, the language level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is generally required.
2. Procedure
- Check requirements (we will support you in this)
- Book an appointment with the relevant German Foreign Mission (we will support you in this)
- Prepare documents (we will support you in this)
- Attend a personal appointment at the competent German Foreign Mission
- Apply for visa (we will support you in this)
- Enter Germany
- Registering your place of residence at the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt)
- Applying for a residence permit at the competent Foreigners’ Authority
3. Costs
Fees of EUR 75.00 (approx. USD 80.00) are charged for the visa application abroad by the Foreign Missions.
Fees of up to EUR 100.00 (approx. USD 110.00) may be charged for the issuance of the residence title in Germany by the Foreigner´s Authority.
We are happy to support you with the necessary steps and provide you with all the required information, useful overviews and checklists, and are available for any queries in personal calls.
