Family Reunification in Germany

Family Reunification in Germany

Settle into Germany with your loved ones around you.

The German Constitution places a special protection on marriage and family. This protection extends to those new in Germany as well and there are steps in place to provide for the safe passage for family members to come to Germany: Family based Immigration.

At Schlun & Elseven Lawyers we know how much easier it is to settle into your new surroundings when your loved ones are there with you. That is why our immigration specialists are on-hand to provide assistance in ensuring straight-forward family reunification in Germany.

Under German law, as soon as the applicant’s residence status in Germany has been cleared, they can have the right to apply for a family reunification visa for their loved ones. This way, a residence permit holder’s spouse and children can be granted a right of residence, too.

On this page, we seek to explain how German family reunification can take place. As a law firm which specialises in the field of immigration we receive regular inquiries concerning this issue. Below, you will find a list of the most frequently asked questions and our answers regarding family reunification in Germany.

Requirements to obtain the German Self Employment Visa and Residence Permit

In order for family reunification to take place, the applicant (not the spouse they are aiming to be reunited with) must possess a valid German residence permit. Holders of settlement permits, permanent residents, and holders of an EU Blue Card are entitled to avail of family reunification. A (family reunification) residence permit can be granted to spouses and unmarried children of the holder of the German residence permit. Therefore it is vital that the residence permit is in-date, is valid and has no issues. 

1. German Residence Permit

The most important requirement is that one family member must have a valid residence permit. 

2. Accomodation Space

The applicant has to provide evidence showing that there is sufficient accommodation space for themselves and their family member(s).

3. Entrance Visa

In order to travel to Germany, the relevant family member must hold a valid entrance visa. 

4. German Language Skills? 

German language skills are in most cases not required for the family members. 

The advantages of the family reunification visa are numerous. Most importantly it allows people who have made Germany their home to bring other family members with them and allow them to benefit from all that Germany has to offer. As well as that, the procedure is far less complex compared to other visa procedures, such as the EU Blue Card. The family member is also entitled to obtain a work permit and can therefore find a job and work in Germany! 

In order to apply for the family reunification visa for a spouse the applicant has to possess the following documents. Feel free to contact our office should you require assistance with any of these documents. 

  • A valid marriage certificate 
  • Invitation by the spouse living in Germany to move in with him/ her 
  • Copy of the passport of the spouse living in Germany, as well as a copy of their German residence permit 

In order to apply for the German residence permit through family based immigration, one needs to have the following documents. Once again, should there be any questions about any of these requirements make sure to contact our legal firm directly. 

  • A rental agreement showing a sufficient amount of living space 
  • The applicant must demonstrate that the cost of living can be covered sufficiently. This can be demonstrated by providing a copy of an employment contract or tax declaration 
  • The family member needs to hold a valid entrance visa 
  • For children, a birth certificate is needed 
  • School attendance certificate for school-age children (written proof of acceptance by a school is sufficient) 
  • A health insurance certificate (spouse and children can be included in the health insurance of the residence permit holder) 
  • A biometrical passport photo 

The period of validity for the family members will be limited to the duration of validity of the residence permit of the family member they are uniting with. In this case, should a husband's family reunification visa be based on a three-year residence permit of the wife the duration of the family-reunification visa is three years. 

Our team of legal experts supports our clients from the moment they obtain a residence permit for themselves up to helping their family join them in Germany. This is the outline of what will happen once we start working together: 

1. Contact us

You have contacted us and decided to work with Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte PartG (attorneys at law). 

2. Contract & Estimate for a preliminary fee

Subsequently, you will receive a non-binding mandate-contract, a general power of attorney as well as a detailed conduct of proceedings and an estimate for a preliminary fee. 

3. Required Documents

After we have received all the necessary documents signed by you, as well as the retainer fee, we will send you a detailed list of all required documents, such as your CV (Curriculum Vitae), proof of health insurance etc. Following that, we will take all the necessary steps in order to begin with your case and apply for your visa and residence permit. 

4. Full-Service for our clients

Having worked closely with you and submitted the appropriate documentation we will oversee the process and do everything we can to ensure your application’s success. 

At Schlun & Elseven Lawyers, we offer a comprehensive package of legal services concerning legal immigration matters: 

Visa Application procedure 

We will submit your visa application to the responsible German diplomatic mission. 

Request for a Pre-Consent

Upon request, a so called pre-consent can be issued prior the issue of a visa by the responsible German diplomatic mission. This procedure is based on § 31 subsection 3 AufenthG (German Residence Act) and can accelerate the procedure in case of a relevant previous stay in Germany. 

Contacting the local immigration authority

Our Lawyers submit the application for a residence permit. The client’s personal appearance is required.

Contacting the registration office

Our lawyers help you to acquire your registration certificate.

Legal services and assistance

Our office will support the client during the first years in Germany and assist in communicating with any relevant immigration offices. 

Should you choose to work with our legal team, you will find yourself working with professionals who assist clients on a regular basis when it comes to their visa issues in Germany. We have helped numerous clients over the years to avail of German family reunification visas and our help has ensured that applications progress smoother that they otherwise would. Whereas for our clients trying to work through German bureaucracy may prove to be challenging, we deal with these issues on a regular basis. We know exactly what is needed to ensure that an application is successful. 

The fees we charge for our immigration services largely depend on the services that you ask for. There is no set fee that we can write here as the costs are dependent on the facts of the case. However, after we have received your request for assistance we will make a noncommittal, transparent offer for our all-inclusive services. 

Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte (attorneys at law) consists of a team of experienced lawyers who specialise in immigration law. We will assist you throughout the whole application and acquisition process for your family reunification visa in order to help you to settle down in Germany. We are looking forward to hearing from you! 

Contact us now

„Business Immigration Germany – by Schlun & Elseven“ is a website for all matters of Business Immigration from all over the world to Germany by the renowned German Law firm Schlun & Elseven. Due to our extensive experience in German residence and work permits, family reunification and various immigration cases, we can offer full-service legal advice and comprehensive support you can trust. 

Don’t hesitate to use our contact form. Our lawyers are happy to help you figure out the best way to approach your business immigration process now.

Locations & Office Times

Mo – Fr: 09:00 – 19:00
24h Contact: +49 221 93295960
Email: info@se-legal.de
Appointments made by telephone only.

Business Immigration Germany
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Tel: +49 211 171 8280
Fax: 0221 932959669

Business Immigration Germany
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Locations & Office Times

Mo – Fr: 09:00 – 19:00

24h Contact: +49 221 93295960

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