Germany Family Reunion Visa – Eligibility and How to Apply
If you are considering to get a Germany family reunion visa, now can be the time to submit your application as this blog post will provide you with all necessary insights.
There are many special things about family reunions. It serves as an opportunity to create more memorable moments with family members that haven’t seen in years or to meet relatives that you’ve never met. This is indeed a lot of fun with superb experiences to linger in your heart.
It is without doubt that the German government has streamlined its visa application process for foreigners who want to visit their family members in any part of Germany. Because of this, your family members can travel at any time to spend some time with you in Germany. Such relatives include your children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.
Read on to find out more about Germany family reunion visa, and its criteria for eligibility, required documents, steps to apply, and more.
What is Germany Family Reunion Visa?
Germany Family Reunion Visa is a type of “D Visa” that allows foreigners to visit their family members in the country for up to three months. Upon arrival with a family reunion visa, you can apply for a job to earn some money during your stay in Germany.
Of course, the process of procuring a family reunion visa to Germany is very simple. You can surely initiate and complete the process through a German embassy or consulate.
Moreover, Germany D Visa may be issued for up to one (1) year.
Who Needs a Germany Family Reunion Visa?
If you’re on the verge to travel to Germany to unite with your family, you have to get a family reunion visa. This type of visa is required if you relate to a German citizen or if a member of your family lives legally in Germany.
You’re definitely required to provide a document that demonstrate your relationship with the person.
Who is the Sponsor of a German Family Reunion Visa?
Looking forward to apply for a German family reunion visa in the near future? You may be wondering who can sponsor such visa.
The sponsor of German family reunion visa is usually a family member who is residing legally in Germany. Persons allowed to sponsor a family reunion visa includes spouse, father, mother, grandparents, brother, sister, or child.
Germany Family Reunion Visa Fee
If you’re planning a trip to Germany, be prepared to pay a family reunion visa fee. This fee is currently set at €75 for adults and at €37.50 for children aged below 18. Bear in mind that a refused application does not guarantee a refund.
As the application process of family reunion visa is hard to understand at times, it is best for you to ensure an appropriate submission of application, including all supporting documents.
Germany Family Reunion Visa Processing Time
There are few things you should know about the processing time of Germany family reunion visa. The first is that the processing time for a family reunion visa can vary depending on the country you are applying from. Another thing to consider is providing your supporting documents early so that your application gets processed quickly.
If you are considering a Germany family reunion visa, be prepared for a long processing time. The average processing time for a family reunion visa is 120 days.
However, some embassies take only 5 days to process a family reunion visa.
Documents Required to Apply for Germany Family Reunion Visa
While applying for a family reunion visa to visit a relation in any part of the country, you must make provisions for certain documents.
Each of these documents must be in English or German language. If translated to German, the embassy needs to recognize the translator.
Below are list of documents you need during the application process of family reunion visa.
- Properly filled out Germany visa application form
- Valid passport or travel document
- Proof of accommodation in Germany such as hotel reservation
- Round trip flight ticket or travel itinerary
- Proof of funds like a bank statement
- Proof of marital status, which include a marriage certificate, spouse’s death certificate (if widowed), or a ration card (if applicable)
- Proof of health insurance in Germany
- Proof on children such as a copy of birth certificate, a proof of child’s citizenship, or a court order regarding child’s custody
- Proof of employment (if employed) from your employer
- Proof of German language skills with a minimum of level A1
- Proof of enrollment in an educational institution (if you’re a student at a college or university)
- Documents to prove that you work for yourself, i.e., self-employed (if applicable)
- Copy of father and mother’s passports (required by minors if parents are divorced)
- Death certificate of a deceased parent (required by minors if applicable)
Be sure to create a Germany family reunion visa checklist for these documents in order to ensure that you don’t miss out any of them. Keep in mind that providing these documents means that you’ve met Germany family reunion visa requirements.
Duration of Family Reunion Visa to Germany
The duration of family reunion visa does not exceed 90 days. To obtain the visa, you need to prove that you’ll leave Germany on or before your visa expiration date, as well as to avoid any form of criminal activity.
Additionally, it is necessary for you to provide evidence of your relationship with the visa sponsor.
Who cannot Apply for a Family Reunion Visa to Germany?
There are few categories of persons ineligible to apply for the family reunion visa. Among which are nationals of non-EU countries, as well as persons from countries that are not part of EU Member States.
Hence, it is best to reach out to an immigration lawyer to guide you on how to reunite with a family member or relative in Germany.
Steps to Apply for Germany Family Reunion Visa
The steps below will guide you in applying for a family reunion visa to meet with a relative after a period of separation.
- Gather all required documents
- Fill out application form
- Pay visa application fee
- Submit application form, along with supporting documents
- Wait until your visa application is processed
STEP 1: Gather all required documents
The first step to take to apply for a family reunion visa is to put together all documents required during the application process.
These documents include a valid passport, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, proof of health insurance coverage, among others noted above.
STEP 2: Fill out application form
This requires you to download Germany family reunion visa application form pdf from the official source. Afterwards, you have to fill out each field on the form.
STEP 3: Pay visa application fee
While applying for a family reunion visa, you must an application fee of €75 or €37.50 for adults and children (below 18) respectively. Take note that the embassy won’t process your application without the fee.
STEP 4: Submit application form, along with supporting documents
At this stage, you can now submit the filled out visa application form, as well as all your supporting documents.
STEP 5: Wait until your visa application is processed
Embassies take up to 90 days (3 months) to process applications for persons who want to travel via a family reunion visa. Thus, you need to wait until the embassy completes the processing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I work in Germany with a family reunion visa?
Yes, you can work in Germany using a family reunion visa. However, you have to meet a number of conditions, and avail documentation that confirms that your relationship with the person sponsoring your visa in Germany.
How long can I stay in Germany with a family reunion visa?
The maximum period of stay allowed by family reunion visa is 90 days. This means that you need to apply for a longer visa if you want to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. There are certain exceptions to this rule, such as if you are traveling for education purpose.
Can I bring my family to Germany for a permanent stay?
Yes, it is possible to bring your family to Germany to stay permanently. In doing this, your family member or relative must first apply for a visa in the other country. For a prolonged stay after arriving to Germany, they need to apply for a residence permit.
How much does it cost to apply for a Germany family reunion visa?
To process your application for family reunion visa, you need to make a payment of €75 (for adults), or €37.50 (if below 18 years old).
Who can apply for Germany family reunion visa?
The family reunion visa is open to applications of parents, grandparents, children, and siblings who want to visit their family or relative in the country. They surely have to meet certain requirements to qualify for the visa.
Conclusion
In summary, family reunion visa offers a great opportunity for reunification. It also makes it possible for families to spend time together. The application process can be long and difficult to understand. Hiring an immigration lawyer can help ease the whole process.
Thanks for reading!
