Eligibility Quiz
Application Process
You'll apply for a national Type D visa at a German embassy or consulate in your home country. The process involves submitting documents, attending an in-person appointment for biometric data, and waiting for approval from both the embassy and the local immigration office in Germany where your family member will live.
Step 1: Check If You Need a Visa to Enter Germany
Citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and United States can enter Germany without a visa. If you're from one of these countries, you can enter Germany and apply for your residence permit directly at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) after arrival. All other nationalities must apply for a visa before entering Germany.
Step 2: Find the Right German Embassy or Consulate
Use the Consulate Finder on the Federal Foreign Office website to locate the German mission responsible for your country or region. You must apply at the embassy or consulate that covers your place of residence, not the one nearest your family member in Germany.
Step 3: Schedule Your Appointment
Contact the German mission to schedule an in-person appointment. Appointments are mandatory and must be booked through the official system—you cannot submit an application without one. Be prepared to wait: appointment availability varies widely by location. High-volume countries like India and China may have waiting periods of several weeks to months. Schedule as early as possible, ideally 6–12 months before your intended move date.
Step 4: Gather and Organize All Documents
Collect every document on the official embassy checklist. All documents must be submitted as originals plus 2 copies unless the embassy specifies otherwise.
Identity and civil documents you'll need:
- Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay, with at least 2 blank pages)
- Two recent biometric photos (35mm × 45mm, meeting Schengen standards: high resolution, neutral expression, light background, no headwear except religious, no shadows)
- Marriage certificate (for spouses) with apostille and certified German translation
- Birth certificate (for children) with apostille and certified German translation
- Proof of custody if only one parent is in Germany (written consent from the other parent or court order)
Your family member's documents (the sponsor in Germany):
- Copy of their passport or ID
- Copy of their residence permit or German/EU passport
- Registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) from their local registration office, not older than 6 months
- Rental agreement or proof of housing showing the full address and confirming adequate space (minimum 12 m² per person, though this requirement is waived for skilled workers with permits issued after March 1, 2024)
Financial documents from your sponsor:
- Employment contract showing position, salary, and terms
- Last 3 months of payslips showing net income
- 3–6 months of bank statements showing regular income and financial stability
- Tax returns or income declaration if self-employed
- A supporting letter from your sponsor explaining how they'll support you financially
Health insurance:
- Proof of valid health insurance with minimum €30,000 emergency coverage for the first 90 days in Germany
- Letter from the health insurance company confirming your inclusion in family insurance upon entry, or proof of travel health insurance
Language proficiency (spouses only):
- A1-level German language certificate from an accredited institution (Goethe-Institut certificates are most widely accepted; other institutions must meet ALTE standards)
Application forms:
- Completed national visa application form (VIDEX), printed and signed. You can fill this online via the Consular Services Portal or download it as a PDF.
- Declaration of Accuracy of Information, signed
- Residence Permit Application Form (supplementary form)
Additional documents (if applicable):
- Police clearance certificate from your home country for the last 5 years (with apostille/legalization and German translation) — required by some embassies, particularly for applicants from India, China, and other countries with higher security screening
- Divorce decrees, death certificates, or annulment documents if you've been married before
- Evidence of genuine relationship: photos together, chat messages, travel records, joint property documents (increasingly requested to verify the marriage isn't solely for immigration purposes)
- If marrying in Germany: proof of filing notice of intended marriage (Anmeldung zur Eheschließung) with the German registrar's office
Important: All documents not in German or English must be certified translated into German. Foreign documents typically require an apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or legalization (for non-Hague Convention countries). Do not staple documents; use paper clips or folders as specified by your embassy.
Step 5: Attend Your Appointment at the Embassy
Attend your scheduled appointment in person. Bring all original documents and copies. At the appointment, you will:
- Submit all documents and the completed application form
- Provide biometric data (fingerprints and digital photo)
- Answer questions about your relationship, purpose of stay, and family circumstances (the interview typically lasts 15–30 minutes)
- Pay the visa fee in cash (€75 for adults, €37.50 for minors) or by credit card, depending on the embassy's payment methods
- Receive a confirmation of application submission
Be honest and consistent in your answers. Consular officers are trained to detect inconsistencies and will scrutinize your relationship to prevent sham marriages.
Step 6: Wait for Visa Processing
After you submit your application, the embassy forwards it to the competent local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) at your family member's intended place of residence in Germany. The Ausländerbehörde verifies your sponsor's income, housing, and residence status. If approved, the embassy issues a national visa valid for 90 days to 12 months (depending on your sponsor's permit validity). The embassy will notify you when your visa is ready, and you'll collect it from the embassy or have it mailed to you.
Step 7: Enter Germany and Register Your Address
Enter Germany within the visa validity period. Within 14 days of arrival, register your address (Anmeldung) at your local registration office (Bürgeramt). You'll receive a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), which you'll need for your residence permit application.
Step 8: Apply for Your Residence Permit
Within 90 days of arrival (ideally 4–6 weeks before your visa expires), apply for your residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde. Submit the same documents you provided for the visa application, plus:
- Your registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
- Proof of active health insurance
- Your passport with the visa stamp
Pay the residence permit fee (approximately €100). Your residence permit will typically be issued for 1–3 years, depending on your sponsor's permit validity.
Online Application Option
The Consular Services Portal allows online application for family reunification visas in some countries. If available for your location, you can:
- Create an account and fill out the application form online
- Upload electronic copies of documents (PDF, JPG, or PNG format)
- Receive a confirmation code
- Still attend an in-person appointment for biometric submission and document verification
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa application (adult, 18+) | €75 |
| Visa application (minor, under 18) | €37.50 |
| Residence permit application | ~€100 |
| Document apostille/legalization (per document) | €25–€45 |
| Certified translation (per page) | €20–€30 |
| A1 German language certificate | €70–€150 |
| Travel health insurance (first 90 days) | €50–€150 |
Total estimated cost for a couple (spouse + one child): approximately €600–€1,000, excluding travel costs.
Does not include: airfare, accommodation, moving expenses, or ongoing living costs in Germany. Visa fees are non-refundable even if your application is withdrawn or denied. Residence permit fees are free for applicants receiving benefits under SGB II or SGB XII (social assistance).
Processing Time
Visa Application Processing
Official processing time is 1–3 months, but practical timelines extend to 3–6 months due to embassy workloads and verification procedures.
Factors that affect how long processing takes:
- Appointment availability: Scheduling can take weeks to months, particularly in high-volume countries like India, China, the Middle East, and Africa. This is often the longest part of the process.
- Document completeness: Incomplete applications cause automatic delays; missing documents can add 2–4 weeks.
- Country of application: Processing times vary significantly by embassy. India and China typically require a minimum of 3 months; the Middle East and Africa often 6+ months.
- Background checks: Security checks for applicants from certain nationalities add time.
- Local immigration office verification: The Ausländerbehörde's verification typically takes 2–4 weeks.
- Peak seasons: Summer and post-holiday periods see longer delays.
- Case complexity: Cases requiring additional interviews or document verification can extend processing by 2–3 months.
Fast-track options: Spouses of EU Blue Card holders or highly skilled workers (with permits issued after March 1, 2024) may see processing in 4–10 weeks if all documents are complete and submitted simultaneously. Some employers can initiate pre-approval with the Ausländerbehörde to expedite processing.
Residence Permit Processing (Upon Arrival in Germany)
After you arrive and apply at the Ausländerbehörde, expect 6–12 weeks for residence permit issuance. You must apply within 90 days of visa entry; ideally apply 4–6 weeks before your visa expires. Your residence permit will be valid for 1–3 years, matching your sponsor's permit validity.
Total Timeline
End-to-end processing: 4–9 months from application to residence permit issuance, depending on appointment scheduling delays (which can add 2–6 months), visa processing (1–3 months officially; 3–6 months practically), travel and arrival (1–2 weeks), and residence permit processing (6–12 weeks).
Recommendation: Begin your application 6–12 months before your intended move date to account for appointment delays and processing backlogs.