Family Reunification Visa
Germany Family Reunification Visa Application Process
The Germany family reunification visa is a long-term (D type) visa that must be applied for by people who have a legal residence address in Germany and want their family members residing in Turkey to live in Germany.
German spouse reunification visa holders have the right to reside in Germany for up to 1 year and have the right to apply for a German residence permit after the visa expires. German family reunification visa holders are granted the right to participate in sports and cultural events organized in Germany, to travel freely in Germany and to live in the city of their choice.
According to a report by Deutsche Welle in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the German Consulate approved 2,753 family reunification visa applications. Considering that the number of Germany family reunification visas granted between 2016 and 2019 was over one hundred thousand, the negative impact of the pandemic on Germany family reunification visa approvals can be seen.
What are the conditions for family reunification in Germany?
Among the conditions for a family reunification Germany visa; first of all, the family member residing in Germany must be a German citizen or have a legal residence permit. Spouses who will come to Germany within the scope of a family reunification visa must be German citizens or married to someone who has a residence permit in Germany for at least 2 years and their marital status must be reported to the German Civil Registry Office.
The family member in Germany who is intended to be joined with the family reunification visa must have a legal residence permit, health insurance, proof of financial situation and sufficient accommodation for the family members who will move in with them.
What are the Germany Family Reunification Visa Application Requirements for Spouses?
Germany family reunification visa application requirements for spouses are listed below.
- A valid marriage contract must be presented.
- The spouse residing in Germany must have a European Union long-term residence permit or a European Union Blue Card.
- The family member living in Germany must be over 18 years old, know German and have sufficient financial resources to finance the person coming to Germany with a family reunification visa.
- Married people who will come to Germany with a family reunification visa must be over 18 years of age and have basic knowledge of German.
What are the Germany Family Reunification Visa Application Requirements for Children?
Germany family reunification visa application requirements for children are listed below.
- For children under 18 years of age, it is sufficient to present their birth, identity and custody documents, and German language proficiency is not required.
- In order for children over the age of 18 to apply for a Germany family reunification visa, they must be unmarried and speak German fluently.
What are the requirements for family reunification in Germany for children under 18?
Germany family reunification visa application requirements for children under 18 years of age are listed below.
- It is permitted to bring minor children to Germany, provided that both parents or the sole parent with custody of the child resides in Germany.
- If the care and custody of children under the age of 18 is shared between parents, and only one of the parents resides in Germany, the parent residing in the third country must transfer the care and custody rights of the child to the parent in Germany.
What are the requirements for family reunification in Germany for children over the age of 18?
Germany family reunification visa application requirements for children over 18 years of age are given below.
- Children over the age of 18 must be single to be eligible for a German family reunification visa.
- For children over the age of 18, fluent knowledge of German is required.
Is There a Language Requirement for a Germany Family Reunification Visa?
There is a language requirement for the Germany family reunification visa, and the applicant must present a language certificate showing that they have basic knowledge of German. According to the Germany Family Reunification Act, A1 level German language proficiency is required in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Those who will apply for a Germany family reunification visa must have an A1 language certificate proving their basic German knowledge obtained from an authorized institution. “Start Deutsch 1” and Austrian Language Diploma “Grundstufe Deutsch 1” language certificates obtained from the authorized Goethe Institute in Turkey are accepted for Germany family reunification visa applications. For Germany family reunification visa applications, the original German language certificate, whose date of issue is not older than 12 months, must be presented.
What are the Language Exam Dates for Germany Family Reunification Visa?
German language exams organized by the Goethe Institute for a Germany family reunification visa are usually held twice a week, and applicants have many alternatives to take the exam within a year.
In what cases is the language requirement exemption valid for the Germany Family Reunification Visa?
The situations where the language requirement exemption for the Germany family reunification visa applies are listed below.
- The applicant may be exempt from the language requirement if their knowledge of German is good enough to be noticed by consular officers during the visa appointment.
- If the family member applying for a Germany visa is a college graduate and has a positive outlook in terms of employment and compatibility, or is applying for a temporary family reunification visa, or has a previously obtained residence permit, the language requirement may not be requested.
- If the spouse living in Germany has one of the residence statuses such as researcher, EU Blue Card, ICT Card, freelance worker as specified in Article 21 of the Residence Act, qualified worker as specified in Article 18 or right to protection according to the alternative as specified in Article 25, the language requirement is not required.
- If the spouse residing in Germany has the right to free movement in Germany due to being a citizen of a European Union country other than Germany or of the European Economic Area member states of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein or Switzerland, the language exemption applies.
- If the visa applicant is not able to prove basic knowledge of the German language due to a physical, mental or spiritual health problem, an exemption from the language requirement applies.
- If it is not possible for the visa applicant to learn basic German before going to Germany or if the current conditions are not suitable for learning it, the person may be exempted from the language requirement.
If the exceptional circumstances listed above are proven with documentation, there is no obligation to present a German A1 language certificate.
How to Apply for a Germany Family Reunification Visa?
Germany family reunification visa application steps are listed below.
- Germany family reunification visa application documents are prepared : For a Germany family reunification visa; a list of required documents such as passport, invitation letter, health insurance and language certificate must be obtained from the Idata website and a complete application file must be prepared with up-to-date documents.
- Germany national visa application form is filled out : Applicants must fill out and sign the Germany family reunification national visa application form using a ballpoint pen, with complete, legible and accurate statements.
- Making a Germany visa appointment : A family reunification visa appointment must be made for the relevant German foreign mission through the national appointment system on the Idata official website.
- Go to the foreign representative office for a visa appointment : On the appointment day, go to the relevant German foreign representative office, pay the Germany family reunification visa application fee, submit the requested documents, and complete the visa application by performing fingerprint procedures.
What are the Required Documents for Germany Family Reunification Visa Application?
The documents required for a Germany family reunification visa application are listed below.
- Passport : A passport belonging to the applicant for a Germany family reunification visa must be submitted that is not older than 10 years, has 2 blank pages and is valid for at least 3 months beyond the period of application for stay in Germany.
- Germany family reunification visa application form : 2 national visa application forms filled out and signed by the applicant with complete and accurate statements are among the documents required for Germany family reunification.
- Biometric photo : Two biometric photos of the applicant, not older than 6 months and measuring 35 x 45 millimeters, must be submitted.
- Visa application notification form : Two signed visa application notification forms, filled in English or German, explaining the applicant’s purpose of visiting Germany and travel plans, must be submitted.
- Invitation letter : An invitation letter from a family member residing in Germany confirming that there is accommodation for the family member who wants to join them is among the documents required for family reunification. The invitation letter must be written in German or English.
- German language certificate : An A1 German language certificate must be submitted, showing that the applicant for a Germany family reunification visa has basic knowledge of German.
- Travel reservation : The applicant’s flight ticket to Germany must be submitted in the application file.
- Proof of financial resources : Documents such as bank statements, salary slips or title deeds must be submitted to show that the person residing in Germany can financially support the family member who will come to Germany through family reunification.
- Proof of accommodation : Documentation must be submitted showing that the person residing in Germany has sufficient space in their home in Germany for the family member applying for a family reunification visa.
- Germany travel health insurance : Travel health insurance that covers the applicant’s entire trip to Germany and is valid in the entire Schengen area is among the required documents for a Germany family reunification visa.
If the applicant for a German family reunification visa has children, the children’s birth certificate, identity card and proof of custody of the parent residing in Germany must be added to the visa application file.
If the person applying for a Germany family reunification visa has a spouse or partner, proof of marriage certificate translated into German and certified by a foreign official, proof of legal residence and passport if the person residing in Germany is not a German citizen, and a photocopy of identity card and passport proof if the person residing in Germany is a German citizen must be submitted during the visa application.
How to Fill in the Germany Family Reunification Visa Application Form Sample?
The Germany family reunification visa application form is a document requested for Germany national visa applications, where applicants are asked for their identity, passport, contact information and family member information. The Germany family reunification visa application form must be filled out in German or English, with complete and accurate statements.
The information shared by the applicant while filling out the form must be consistent with the information contained in the supporting documents prepared. The Germany visa application form, which must be filled out by the Germany family reunification visa applicant, must be filled in with a ballpoint pen and the 4th and 5th pages must be signed with a wet signature.
What is the Photo Size for Germany Family Reunification Visa?
The size of the Germany family reunification visa photo must be 35 x 45 millimeters in line with biometric standards.
How to Get a Germany Family Reunification Visa Appointment?
Germany family reunification visa appointments are made through the national appointment system of the authorized institution Idata and are held at the relevant German foreign representative office. It is not possible to make a visa appointment for Germany family reunification through VFS Global or other intermediary institutions. After a visa appointment is made through the national appointment system accessible from the Idata official website, an informative e-mail is sent to the applicants regarding the Germany family reunification visa procedures that need to be carried out.
For Germany family reunification visa applications made through Vizem.net consultancy service, visa appointments are made by the Germany visa department.
What are the Questions Asked in the Germany Family Reunification Visa Interview?
People who apply for a family reunification visa to join their spouses residing in Germany may, in some cases, be called for an interview by the German Consulate to test whether their marriage is a sham. Taking into account the Germany family reunification visa experiences, the questions asked during the Germany family reunification visa interview are designed to be about the couples’ marriages and spouses.
The basic questions asked in the Germany family reunification visa interview are listed below.
- When and where did you meet your spouse?
- What is your marriage date?
- Where does your spouse live in Germany?
- What does your spouse do and how much does he earn?
- What is your spouse’s date of birth?
Is There an Age Limit for Spouse Reunification Application in Germany?
To apply for spousal reunification in Germany, both spouses must be over 18 years of age.
How much does a Germany Family Reunification Visa cost?
Germany family reunification visa fees are given in the table below.
| Services | Fees |
|---|---|
| Germany family reunification visa fee | 100 EUR |
| Filling out the application form and petition | 60 EUR |
| Appointment procedures | Free |
| Biometrics operations | 40 EUR |
| Consulting service | 60 EUR |
| Total | 260 EUR |
How to Inquire and Follow Up on Germany Family Reunification Visa?
Germany family reunification visa inquiry and tracking process is done through Idata application tracking system.
People who apply for a Germany family reunification visa can track their Germany visa with their passport and barcode numbers on the Idata official website.
How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Germany Family Reunification Visa?
After the documents are submitted at the visa appointment, the Germany family reunification visa application is forwarded to the relevant Foreigners Office, which is required by law to be included in the process. If the Foreigners Office gives its opinion on the application, the Germany family reunification visa results are issued.
The Germany family reunification visa process begins with applicants submitting all required documents to the relevant consulate at the appointment. Generally, the Germany family reunification visa period lasts between 8 and 12 weeks on average.
The decision for the visa application can only be learned by those waiting for a Germany family reunification visa when their passports are returned to them. The visa validity period for those who have received a Germany family reunification visa is generally regulated as 1 year. The number of approved Germany national visa applications of citizens of the Republic of Turkey was 215,627 in 2017, 208,754 in 2018 and 63,684 in 2020.
Where are Germany Family Reunification Visa Results Published?
Germany family reunification visa results can only be learned after applicants receive their passports. Information about the application process can be obtained online, but there is no option to query Germany family reunification visa to learn the visa result.
What are the Reasons for Germany Family Reunification Visa Rejection?
Reasons for Germany family reunification visa rejection are listed below.
- Incomplete or incorrect documents submitted for the Germany family reunification visa application
- The documents presented regarding the marriage of the spouses are not found credible.
- Insufficient financial resources indicated by spouses
- The family reunification visa applicant does not have basic knowledge of German.
- Germany travel health insurance does not meet the required conditions
- The applicant is banned from entering another Schengen country.
How to Appeal a German Spouse Reunion Visa Rejection?
A Germany spouse reunification visa application may be rejected for reasons such as incomplete or incorrect documents submitted, insufficient financial resources, insufficient travel health insurance coverage, and applicants not having basic knowledge of German. If the German spouse reunification visa refusal is not due to a reason caused by the applicant, such as submitting incorrect documents, and the applicant does not understand why their visa application was rejected, they have the right to appeal the decision.
Persons who wish to exercise their right to object to a German visa refusal may request a review of the decision by writing a petition of objection to the German Consulate General within 1 month following the visa result notification.
How Valid is the Germany Family Reunification Certificate?
The German family reunification certificate is initially valid for 1 year with the residence permit issued to the applicant by the German immigration authorities. People who come to Germany as part of family reunification and have a residence permit can apply for a permanent residence permit when their residence permit expires.
Can I Get a Residence Permit with a Germany Family Reunification Visa?
Yes, it is possible to obtain a residence permit with a Germany family reunification visa. The visa validity period for those who go to Germany with a family reunification visa is usually 1 year, and family members who come to Germany can obtain a 3-year residence permit by applying to the German Foreigners’ Office family reunification department.
If the spouse residing in Germany is a Blue Card holder, it becomes easier to obtain a permanent residence permit. The Germany Blue Card makes it easier for spouses to meet the financial adequacy requirement during the family reunification process, and the national visa has a positive effect on the Germany family reunification process.
Which Countries Can I Visit with a Germany Family Reunification Visa?
The countries that can be visited with a Germany family reunification visa are listed below.
- France
- Spain
- Austria
- Greece
- Norway
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Malta
- Holland
- Belgium
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Swedish
- Latvia
- Lithuanian
- Switzerland
- Estonia
- Finland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Poland
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Slovakia
Although Switzerland is not part of the European Union, it is possible to enter Switzerland with a German visa because it is in the Schengen area.
Can I Get a Family Reunification Visa to Join a Family Member Who Has Seeked Asylum in Germany?
Yes, it is possible to obtain a family reunification visa to join a family member who has sought asylum in Germany.
In order to go to Germany through family reunification, the family member’s asylum application in Germany must be accepted and a legal residence permit must be obtained.