Joining for family reasons (to foreigners) - applying for a residence permit

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 Foreigners' Registration Office in good time before it expires. The Foreigners' Registration Office is, depending on where you live, the municipal administration or the district administration office.

National visa (entry in Germany)

Apply for an electronic residence permit (eAT)

Requirements for the residence permit are:

• They fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
  Your livelihood is secured.
  Your livelihood is considered secure if you
  • Income in the amount of the simple social assistance standard rate 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.
• Your family member who is already living in Germany has an
  • Settlement permit,
  • Permit for permanent residence-EC or
  • Residence permit and
  • sufficient living space available.
• additionally in the case of spousal reunification:
  • Minimum age of both spouses: 18 years
  • Basic knowledge of German (language level: A 1) of the person joining the family
• in the case of the reunification of minor unmarried children who have already reached the age of 16:

• Command of the German language (language level: C 1) or
• it appears to be ensured that he/she is able to integrate into the living conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany on the basis of his/her previous education and living conditions.

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 have marriage or other family ties.

• have forced or
• have only been entered into for the purpose of reunification with Germany.

Apply for an electronic residence permit (eAT)

Residence title "EU Blue Card Germany

Visa (entry in Germany)

Residence title (visa, residence permit, settlement permit, permanent residence permit-EC)

What are the fees?

Issue: 100 €

Extension up to 3 months: € 96

Extension by more than 3 months: € 93

Certificate of fiction: 13 € ( 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.

§ Section 30 Residence Act (AufenthG) (reunification of spouses)

§ Section 33 Residence Act (AufenthG) (birth of a child in the federal territory)

§ Section 35 Residence Act (AufenthG) (children's independent, unlimited right of residence)

§ Section 27 Residence Act (AufenthG) (principle of family reunification)

§ Section 5 Residence Act (AufenthG) (General requirements for issuance)

§ Section 32 Residence Act (AufenthG) (child reunification)

§ Section 31 Residence Act (AufenthG) (independent right of residence of spouses)

§ 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 81 Residence Act (AufenthG) (application for a residence title)

Foreign nationals who

• grew up in Germany or
• have entered the country within the framework of child reunification,

can obtain a settlement permit under eased 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.