Bundesportal | Apply for a residence permit to join other family members of a German national

More Information

Publisher

Rhineland-Palatinate

Last update or date of publication

January 17, 2023

Contact

The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).

Call 115 now

Government service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.

You can receive a residence permit for family reunification as another family member of a German if your stay in Germany is necessary to avoid exceptional hardship.

The residence permit is a temporary residence title and is usually issued for at least one year. You can have the residence permit extended upon application.

Recognized and valid identity document (for example passport or passport substitute)
Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
Visa, if it was required for entry into the country
Proof of family relationship
Justification of exceptional hardship
Proof of subsistence (e.g. from own assets, payment of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, declaration of commitment)
Proof of health insurance coverage (for example, confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy).
For minors: Consent of all persons entitled to custody to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents entitled to custody cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written power of attorney of the absent parent is required; if only one parent is entitled to custody, the signature of this parent is sufficient.

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Aliens' Registration Office may require less or further proof.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

Preconditions

You have the nationality of a state outside the EU or the EEA.
The person you are joining has German citizenship and usually resides in Germany.
You belong to the group of other family members of a German, i.e. you are neither his spouse nor a minor unmarried child. Other family members include, for example, adult unmarried children, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, foster children. Fathers of natural German children who are not married to the mother are also eligible.
There is a special case of hardship, for example, because your German family member is dependent on your help due to illness, disability or need for care.

Please note: Unfavorable conditions in your home country do not constitute a case of hardship.

Your subsequent immigration serves the purpose of establishing family cohabitation with the German (for example, sharing an apartment). In the case of a spatial separation only due to work and education or a support or care community due to accommodation in a care facility, a family life community can also be affirmed if you maintain regular contact with the German, which goes beyond a mere visit.
You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay without claiming public benefits.
There is no interest in deportation against you.
Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Hints

They have no right to be granted the residence permit. The foreigners authority has a discretion (a margin of judgment) whether to grant family reunification.
The residence permit entitles the holder to pursue gainful employment.
The procedure at the Aliens' Registration Office is usually conducted in German.
All information provided to the Aliens' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the request can be processed without major delays.
Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

Fee::

100,00 for adult applicants
50,00 Euro for underage applicants

Remark:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of the residence permit in the form of the electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The timing as well as the form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be considered (for example, for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals.

§ 45 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

§ 50 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

Basis for legal action

Section 27 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 28, Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

§ 36 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

Legal Remedies

Appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office within one month after notification
Action before the court named in the notice of appeal if the appeal is not granted

Procedure

Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to submit the application online or provides a special application form.
If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one representative at the personal appointment. If the custodial parent cannot appear in person, a written power of attorney for the application must be provided.
During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents, originals if possible, to the appointment).
If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the residence permit in the form of an electronic residence title (eAT card).
The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Deadlines

Application deadline: 6 weeks to 8 week

Note (for more information on the deadline):

The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid residence permit expires.

The residence permit is a temporary residence title and is issued for at least one year. An extension must be applied for at the Aliens' Registration Office in good time before the expiry date.

Processing time

About 6 week to 8 week

Note for more information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners' Registration Office.

It takes about 4 weeks to 6 weeks for the Bundesdruckerei to produce the electronic residence permit.

Selected region