Are you an Indian citizen who wants to join your spouse, parent or child in Germany? If so, you may need to apply for a family reunion visa, which is a type of German national visa that allows you to stay in Germany for more than 90 days.
The German family reunion visa allows family members of foreign nationals residing in Germany to join them and live as a family unit. This visa enables spouses, children, parents, and other eligible family members to reunite with their loved ones in Germany. In this article, we will explain what a family reunion visa is, who can apply for it, what are the requirements and how to apply for it from India.
What is a Family Reunion Visa?
A family reunion visa is a visa that allows you to join your family member who is already living in Germany. Depending on your relationship with your family member, you may need to apply for a different type of family reunion visa. For example:
If you want to join your spouse who is a German citizen or a foreigner with a residence permit in Germany, you need to apply for a Family Reunion for Spouses.
If you want to join your parents who are German citizens or a foreigner with a residence permit in Germany, and you are under 18 years old and unmarried, you need to apply for a Family reunion visa for children to join one or both parents in Germany.
If you want to join your child who is a German citizen or a foreigner with a residence permit in Germany, and you have the custody of the child, you need to apply for a Family reunion for parents of German or EU Citizen children.
A family reunion visa allows you to live and work in Germany as long as your family member maintains their residence status. You may also be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit after living in Germany for a certain period of time.
Who Can Apply for a Family Reunion Visa?
You can apply for a family reunion visa if you meet the following criteria:
You are an Indian citizen or a legal resident of India.
You have a valid passport that was issued within the last 10 years and has at least two empty pages.
You have a family member who is living in Germany as a German citizen or a foreigner with a residence permit.
You have proof of your relationship with your family member, such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, etc.
You have proof of your family member’s residence status in Germany, such as certificate of residence, residence permit, etc.
You have proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself in Germany, such as bank statements, salary slips, sponsorship letters, etc.
You have proof of adequate health insurance coverage for yourself in Germany, such as travel insurance policy, health insurance card, etc.
You have proof of basic knowledge of German language (A1 level), unless you are exempted from this requirement due to certain circumstances (such as age, disability, education level, etc).
You have no criminal record or security threat that would prevent you from entering Germany.
How to Apply for a Family Reunion Visa?
To apply for a family reunion visa from India, you need to follow these steps:
Fill out the online application form for German National visa on the website of the German Embassy or Consulate in India. You will also need to fill out some additional forms depending on the type of family reunion visa you are applying for. For example:
Declaration on true and complete information
Additional contact and legal representation information
Annexure for employment visas (if applicable)
Declaration of consent (if applicable)
Additional questionnaire (if applicable)
Print out the application form and the additional forms and sign them. Make sure you have all the required documents as per the checklist for your specific type of family reunion visa. You can find the checklists on the website of the German Embassy or Consulate in India. For example:
Checklist for family reunion / spouse visa
Checklist for family reunion visa for parent of a German or EU citizen child
Checklist for family reunion visa for a child joining one or both parents in Germany
Checklist for dependents (accompanying spouse)
Checklist for dependents (accompanying children)
Checklist for intended marriage
Book an appointment at the nearest VFS Global center or the competent German Mission in India to submit your application and documents. You can book the appointment online or by phone. You will need to pay a visa fee of 75 euros (or equivalent in Indian rupees) at the time of submission. You will also need to provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) at the VFS Global center or the German Mission.
Wait for the processing of your visa application. The processing time may vary depending on the type of family reunion visa, the volume of applications and the individual circumstances of your case. You can track the status of your application online or by contacting the VFS Global center or the German Mission where you submitted your application.
Collect your passport and visa from the VFS Global center or the German Mission where you submitted your application. You will need to show your receipt and a valid ID proof to collect your passport and visa. You should check the validity and accuracy of your visa before leaving the VFS Global center or the German Mission.
German family reunion visa checklist for Indians
Valid passport with at least two empty pages and valid for at least another year
Application form, declaration form and contact information form duly filled and signed
Personal covering letter from the parents explaining the exact purpose and duration of stay
Copy of the first and last page and all pages containing entry stamps/visas of your passport and parents’ passport
Certificate of residence of the parent(s) living in Germany, not older than 6 months
Copy of parents’ residence permit, if applicable
School certificate mentioning parentage and date of birth, if applicable
Proof of marriage of parents, if applicable (see details in the search results)
Birth certificate issued under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969
Divorce judgment and decree of parents, if applicable
Death certificate of parent, if applicable
Only in case of family reunion with a non-German parent in Germany: proof of sole custody or declaration of consent from the other parent
Proof of German language skills (A1 level) for minors aged 16 and above, if they apply for a family reunion with a non-German / non-EU national
Two passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
Visa fee (75 Euro for adults and 37.50 Euro for children up to 18 years)
Conclusion
A family reunion visa is a great way to join your family member who is living in Germany. However, you need to be aware of the requirements and procedures involved in applying for this visa from India. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can prepare your application and documents and submit them to the competent authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Reunion Visa
Here are some common questions and answers about the family reunion visa in Germany:
How long does it take to process a family reunion visa?
The processing time for a family reunion visa may vary depending on the type of visa, the volume of applications and the individual circumstances of your case. It may take anything from a few weeks to several months. Make sure to keep your appointments on time and provide all the required documents and information.
