Joining for family reasons (additional family members) - apply for a residence permit
Performance specification
Other family members of foreigners living in Germany may be granted a residence title for family reasons in exceptional cases of hardship.
Other family members are relatives for whom no family-related basis of entitlement under the Residence Act is relevant.
The residence permit is issued by the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence after you have entered the Federal territory and is limited in time. The residence permit is issued for the first time for at least one year and may be issued at the longest for the period of validity of the residence permit of the foreigner to whom the family reunification takes place. The residence permit may be extended upon application, provided that the legal requirements for this are met.
For more information on family reunification of children and spouses, see "Reunification for family reasons (foreigners) - applying for a residence permit" and "Reunification for family reasons (Germans) - applying for a residence permit".
Joining for family reasons (to foreigners) - applying for a residence permit
Reunification for family reasons (with Germans) - Apply for a residence permit
Process flow
Before entering Germany, you must apply for a national visa at the German mission responsible for your place of residence abroad.
After entering the country, you must apply for the residence title in writing, before the expiry date of the national visa issued to you, at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence.
Since 01.09.2011 you have received the residence title in the form of a cheque card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this under "Apply for an electronic residence title (eAT)".
You must apply for the extension of your residence permit at the Aliens' Registration Office in good time before the expiry date.
Requirements
Requirements for the residence permit are:
- You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
- Your livelihood is secured.
Your livelihood is considered secure if you- Income amounting to the simple social welfare standard rate (e.g. for a single person 432.00 Euros) plus
- Costs for accommodation and heating and
- of any health insurance contributions.
- There are no grounds for expulsion against you.
- Their stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- in case of joining Germans additionally: The person you are joining has German citizenship and usually stays in Germany.
- in the case of reunification with non-Germans additionally: Your family member already living in Germany has an
- Settlement permit,
- Permit for permanent residence-EC or
- Residence permit and
- sufficient living space available.
- Exceptional hardship exists if a family member is in need of protection and urgently dependent on the provision of family living assistance, and this assistance can reasonably only be provided in Germany.
In addition, you must fulfil further legal requirements. Exceptions to the fulfilment of the legal requirements may also be considered. These partly depend on the residence status of the family member already living in Germany. Enquire directly at the competent office.
Attention: A residence permit for family reasons is excluded if you do not wish to maintain the family relationship.
- have forced or
- have only been entered into for the purpose of reunification with Germany.
Which documents are required?
- Proof of compliance with passport and visa requirements
- Proof of secure livelihood
- In case of joining Germans additionally: Proof of German citizenship and habitual residence in Germany from the person you are joining.
- additionally in the case of reunification with non-Germans:
- Proof of the residence title of your family member already living in Germany
- Proof of sufficient living space
- Evidence that exceptional hardship exists
Note: Depending on what other requirements you have to fulfil, the competent body may ask for additional documents.
What are the fees?
Issue: 100 €
Extension up to 3 months: € 96
Extension by more than 3 months: € 93
Certificate of fiction: € 13 (for minors: € 6.50)
The residence permit takes about four to six weeks to be issued. Please apply for the residence permit in good time before the expiry date. If you apply in time, the Aliens' Registration Office will issue you with a fictitious certificate if it appears necessary. If you apply for an extension of your residence permit after the expiry date, you are staying in Germany without permission and without a residence title, and the Aliens' Registration Office must decide on the continued validity of your expired residence permit. If the foreigners authority orders the continued validity of your expired residence permit, the foreigners authority will issue you with a fictitious certificate with a corresponding note on the ordered continued validity.
Legal basis
§ Section 28 Residence Act (AufenthG) (family reunification with Germans)
§ Section 5 Residence Act (AufenthG) (General requirements for issuance)
§ Section 27 Residence Act (AufenthG) (principle of family reunification)
§ Section 36 Residence Act (AufenthG) (reunification of other family members)
§ Section 3 Freedom of Movement Act/EU (FreizügG/EU) (family members of Union citizens)
§ Section 29 Residence Act (AufenthG) (family reunification with foreigners)
§ Section 6 Residence Act (AufenthG) (visa)
§ Section 30 Residence Act (AufenthG) (reunification of spouses)
§ Section 81 Residence Act (AufenthG) (Application for a residence title)
What else should I know?
As a rule, foreign nationals living in a family relationship with Germans receive a settlement permit after 3 years.
Foreign nationals who
- grew up in Germany or
- have entered the country within the framework of child reunification,
can also obtain a settlement permit under simplified conditions.
The reunification of family members of EU/EEA nationals is governed by the Freedom of Movement Act/EU. This means
- Family members of EU/EEA nationals who are themselves EU or EEA nationals may enter freely and engage in gainful employment.
- Family members of EU/EEA nationals who do not themselves belong to an EU or EEA state also have a right of entry and residence.
Applications / Forms
Start your request directly online
Who do I need to contact?
To the Foreigners Department of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district.
Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of the representations of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad on its website.
List of representations of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad
Do you live in the northern district: municipality of Willingen (Upland), municipality of Diemelsee, town of Diemelstadt, town of Volkmarsen, town of Bad Arolsen, city of Lichtenfels, town of Bad Wildungen, municipality of Vöhl or in the town of Waldeck? Then you will find the right contact persons for your request here:
| First letter Surname |
| |
|---|---|---|
Aa - Aln, H, I, S, Y, UMA | Sabine Schlüter | |
Aa - Aln | Claudia Schweinsberg | |
Alo - Az, H, I, S | Jenta Sesselmann | |
B, E, D, Mj - Mz, L, U, V, W, X | Detlef Reimann | |
B, E, L, Mj - Mz | Jörg Jordan | |
C, G, Alo - Az | Eleni Bangert | |
C,G | Judith Schlömer | |
D,W | Elfi Schäfer | |
F, J, K, Ma - Mi, N | Elke Geiseler-Matsuda | |
F, J, Kh - Kz, U, V, Y, X | Franziska Brücher | |
Ka-Kg, 0, P, Q, Z | Ruslan Kosjan | |
Ma-Mi, N, UMA | Claudia Jellen | |
O, P,Q, R, T, Z | Beate Hocke | |
R,T | Monika Plathe |
If you live in the southern district: Gemeinde Edertal, Stadt Frankenau, Stadt Frankenberg (Eder), Gemeinde Allendorf (Eder), Stadt Hatzfeld (Eder), Gemeinde Burgwald, Gemeinde Haina (Kloster), Stadt Gemünden (Wohra) or in the Stradt Rosenthal, you will find your contact persons here:
|
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
A-K | Carolina Bergener | |||
A-K | Denise Klauke | |||
A-K | Gerlinde Schäfer-Vogel | |||
L-Z | Dominik Stenzel | |||
L-Z | Andreas Hartmann |