Family Reunion Visa (Ehegattennachzug)

You submit your family reunion visa application at the German embassy or consulate in your home country or country of permanent residence. The process involves preparing documents, scheduling an appointment, attending an interview, and then waiting for approval from the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany before the visa is issued.

For Spouses

Step 1: Obtain German Language Certification (if required)

If your spouse in Germany is not a German citizen, not an EU citizen, and does not hold an EU Blue Card or a skilled worker permit issued after 1 March 2024, you must prove basic German language skills at A1 level before applying. Spouses of German citizens, EU citizens, and certain skilled workers are exempt from this requirement.

• Enroll in a German language course at an accredited institution. Only the Goethe-Institut and providers meeting ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) standards are accepted.
• Complete the course and pass the A1 examination. Language preparation typically takes 2–4 months.
• Obtain your official A1 language certificate.

Step 2: Gather and Prepare All Documents

Collect the following documents. All foreign documents must be legalised with an apostille under the Hague Convention, and any documents not in German must be translated by a certified translator (cost: approximately €20–30 per page).

Your documents:

• Valid passport issued within the past 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages and validity extending 3+ months beyond your planned stay
• One recent biometric passport photo meeting German standards
• Proof of your current address (e.g., valid driver's license, utility bill, or lease agreement)
• Legalised and apostilled marriage certificate
• If your marriage took place abroad, official confirmation that it is valid under German law
• Travel health insurance valid in Germany
• Visa fee payment receipt (€75 for adults)

Your spouse's documents (to be provided by your spouse in Germany):

• Copy of your spouse's registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
• Copy of your spouse's rental agreement or property deed
• Copies of your spouse's latest three payslips
• Copy of your spouse's employment contract
• Copy of your spouse's residence permit (if applicable) or German passport/ID card/naturalization certificate
• Proof of your spouse's health insurance coverage
• Supporting letter from your spouse confirming intention to establish joint residence and secure livelihood

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment at the German Embassy or Consulate

Visit the website of the German embassy or consulate in your country. Use the free online appointment system to schedule your visa interview. Appointment waiting times vary significantly by location and can range from weeks to several months.

Step 4: Submit Your Application at the Embassy or Consulate

Attend your appointment in person and submit your complete application. Some embassies offer online application via the Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal). Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, and USA can apply online and submit documents electronically in PDF, JPG, or PNG format.

Bring:

• All original documents and 2 copies
• Fully completed and signed D-Visa application form (VIDEX-National)
• Signed declaration of accuracy of information
• Visa fee payment receipt

Step 5: Attend Your Visa Interview

The embassy will conduct an in-person interview. Common questions include how and when your marriage took place, evidence of your relationship's authenticity, and your integration prospects in Germany. Be prepared to discuss your shared life, provide evidence of joint property or residence history, and answer questions about your plans in Germany.

Step 6: Embassy Forwards Your Application

After your interview, the embassy forwards your application and all documents to the Ausländerbehörde (immigration authority) at the location in Germany where you and your spouse plan to live. The Ausländerbehörde conducts background checks and verifies your documents.

Step 7: Receive Your Visa

Once the Ausländerbehörde approves your application, the embassy issues your visa. Your visa is typically valid for 3–12 months. You will receive a visa sticker in your passport.

Step 8: Travel to Germany and Apply for Your Residence Permit

Travel to Germany within your visa's validity period. Within two weeks of arrival, register your address at the local town hall (Bürgeramt). Then, within 90 days of arrival, apply for your residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) at the local Ausländerbehörde. Residence permit processing takes 6–12 weeks.

For Children Under 16

Children under 16 can join their parents without additional conditions beyond standard document requirements.

Step 1: Gather Documents

Collect the following documents for each child:

Child's documents:

• Valid passport issued within the past 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages and validity extending 3+ months beyond planned stay
• One recent biometric passport photo meeting German standards
• Legalised and apostilled birth certificate
• Travel health insurance valid in Germany
• Visa fee payment receipt (€37.50 for minors)

Parental consent (if applicable):

• If only one parent is in Germany, obtain notarized written consent from the other parent authorizing the child's relocation.

Sponsor documents (same as spouse application):

• Copy of sponsor's registration certificate, rental agreement/property deed, latest three payslips, employment contract, residence permit or German passport/ID card, proof of health insurance, and supporting letter.

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment

Use the free online appointment system at the German embassy or consulate to schedule your visa interview.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Attend your appointment and submit your complete application with all original documents and 2 copies.

Step 4: Attend Your Interview

The embassy will interview you about your child's education plans, integration prospects, and family circumstances.

Step 5: Receive Your Visa and Travel

Follow the same process as spouses: embassy forwards to Ausländerbehörde, visa is issued, you travel to Germany, register your address, and apply for your child's residence permit within 90 days.

For Children Aged 16–18 (Joining Later)

Children aged 16–18 can join their parents only if they arrive within six months of their parents' relocation to Germany. If they arrive later, they must provide evidence of C1-level German language proficiency or evidence of integration (e.g., attendance at German-speaking schools, growth in EU/EEA states, or residence in privileged third countries).

Follow the same application steps as children under 16, but include:

• C1 German language certificate (if arriving more than six months after parents), or
• Evidence of integration (school attendance records, EU/EEA residency documentation, etc.)

For Fiancé(e)s (Intending to Marry a German Citizen)

If you intend to marry a German citizen, you can apply for a fiancé(e) visa instead of a family reunion visa.

Step 1: File Notice of Intended Marriage

File a notice of intended marriage (Anmeldung zur Eheschließung) with the appropriate registrar's office (Standesamt) in Germany. Your fiancé(e) in Germany will handle this step and provide you with proof.

Step 2: Apply for Fiancé(e) Visa

Submit your visa application at the German embassy or consulate with:

• All standard documents (passport, photos, health insurance, etc.)
• Proof of filing notice of intended marriage from the German registrar's office
• No language requirement applies

Step 3: Marry in Germany

After arriving on your fiancé(e) visa, register your marriage at the local registrar's office (Standesamt). Your final residence permit is issued by the Ausländerbehörde after marriage registration.

For Visa-Free Entry Countries

If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, or USA, you do not need an entry visa.

Step 1: Enter Germany Visa-Free

Travel to Germany without a visa. You can stay for up to 90 days for tourism purposes.

Step 2: Apply for Residence Permit Directly

Register your address at the local town hall (Bürgeramt) within two weeks of arrival. Then apply for your residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde. Residence permit processing for visa-free applicants takes 6–12 weeks.

Item	Cost
Adult visa application	€75
Minor visa application	€37.50
Residence permit (after arrival)	€100–135
Settlement permit (if applying later)	€135–200
German language course (A1 level)	€300–800
Document translation (per page)	€20–30
Apostille/legalisation (per document)	€10–50
Travel health insurance (per month)	€50–150

Total estimate: €500–€1,500 for a single spouse or child, depending on language course costs and document translation needs. Couples or families with multiple children will incur higher costs.

Does not include: Flights to Germany, accommodation, living expenses, or costs for obtaining certified copies of documents from your home country.

Fee waivers: Visa fees are waived for spouses, same-sex registered partners, and minor unmarried children of German citizens. Visa fees are also waived for family members of EU/EEA nationals with freedom of movement rights. Children under 6 years are exempt from Schengen visa fees.

Visa Processing Timeline

Language certification (if required): 2–4 months

Appointment scheduling: Weeks to several months, depending on embassy workload and location

Embassy visa processing: 1–3 months officially, but practical waiting times extend to 3–6 months

Total visa processing (from start to finish): 4–9 months on average, including language preparation, appointment waiting, and embassy processing

Regional Variations

Processing times vary significantly by embassy location:

• China: Approximately 8 weeks
• India: Minimum 3 months, often longer
• Middle East/Africa: Over 6 months
• Dhaka and Kathmandu: 3–4 months minimum
• High-volume missions (Istanbul, Bangalore): Waiting times can exceed 20 weeks

Residence Permit Processing (After Arrival)

Standard processing: 6–12 weeks after submitting your application at the local Ausländerbehörde

For visa-free entry applicants: 6–12 weeks

Fast-Track Options

• Spouses of EU Blue Card holders: Processing may take only a few days if all documents are complete
• Spouses of highly skilled workers: Fast-track processing takes 4–10 weeks total (visa 2–6 weeks, residence permit 4–12 weeks)
• Employer-initiated pre-approval: Employer coordination with the Ausländerbehörde can significantly expedite processing

Document Validity Periods

• Passport: Must be valid for at least 3+ months beyond your planned stay
• Marriage certificate: No expiry date, but must be legalised with apostille
• Birth certificate (for children): No expiry date, but must be legalised with apostille
• Language certificate (A1): Valid indefinitely once obtained
• Visa: Typically valid for 3–12 months; you must enter Germany and apply for a residence permit before it expires
• Residence permit: Usually valid for 1–3 years initially; must be renewed before expiry

Factors Affecting Processing Speed

Processing times are affected by:

• Appointment availability at your embassy
• Completeness of your application (incomplete applications cause automatic delays)
• Background checks and security screening
• Workload at the Ausländerbehörde in your intended city of residence (larger cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg may take longer)
• Peak seasons (summer and post-holiday periods experience longer delays)
• Whether you are applying during high-volume periods (2025 saw 101,756 approvals between January and November)