Reunification for family reasons (with Germans) - Apply for a residence permit
Performance specification
Children and husbands or wives of Germans can obtain a residence permit for family reasons. This also applies to custodial parents of unmarried Germans who are minors. They are allowed to join them in Germany and work here.
The same applies to the following same-sex civil partnerships:
- "registered civil partnerships" within the meaning of the German Civil Partnership Act (Lebenspartnerschaftsgesetz)
- Civil partnerships recognised by the state according to foreign law which essentially correspond to the German "registered civil partnership".
The residence title is limited in time. You can have it extended upon application. The period of validity of your residence is usually determined by the period of validity of the residence title issued to your family member living in Germany.
A residence permit for family reasons can also be issued to
- Spouses and children of Germans as well as custodial parents of unmarried Germans who are minors and
- in the event of exceptional hardship, other family members receive.
Joining for family reasons (to foreigners) - applying for a residence permit
Joining for family reasons (additional family members) - 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 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.
Requirements
Requirements for the residence permit are:
- You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
There are no grounds for deportation against you. - Their stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- The person you are joining has German citizenship and usually stays in Germany.
- 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 them
Note: As a rule, the securing of subsistence is waived in the case of family reunification with German spouses. In the case of family reunification of a foreign parent with his or her minor unmarried German child and family reunification of a minor unmarried foreign child with his or her German parent, the provision of a means of subsistence is waived.
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.
- You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
Which documents are required?
- Proof of compliance with passport and visa requirements
- Proof that there are no grounds for expulsion against you
- Proof that you do not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Proof of German citizenship and habitual residence in Germany from the person you are joining.
- Proof of family affiliation (e.g. birth and marriage certificates, proof of a registered civil partnership).
- additionally in the case of spousal reunification:
- Proof of the minimum age of both spouses
- Proof of basic German language skills of the person joining the applicant
What are the fees?
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 35 Residence Act (AufenthG) (children's independent, unlimited right of residence)
§ Section 3 Freedom of Movement Act/EU (FreizügG/EU) (family members of Union citizens)
§ Section 31 Residence Act (AufenthG) (independent right of residence of spouses)
§ Section 30 Residence Act (AufenthG) (reunification of spouses)
§ Section 27 Residence Act (AufenthG) (principle of family reunification)
§ Section 28 Residence Act (AufenthG) (family reunification with Germans)
§ Section 5 Residence Act (AufenthG) (General requirements for issuance)
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 |