Eligibility quiz
Do you have a child who is a German citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Germany
You can live in Germany until the date on your residence card, and your stay is normally extended while your family continues to live together.
If your child becomes an adult, your stay must also be extended while you live together and your child studies for a recognised school, vocational or university qualification.
Study in Germany
With lawful residence, you can attend school, study or train on the same basis as other lawful residents.
A place is not guaranteed, and the rules for each school or programme apply.
Work in Germany
You can normally work in Germany without restrictions.
Your residence card states whether you can work and lists any limits.
Visit Schengen countries
With a valid residence card and passport or other recognised travel document, you can visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Permanent residence after three years
After three years, you can generally get permanent residence if your family continues to live together in Germany and you speak enough German.
There must be no public-interest reason to expel you, and you must meet the other applicable conditions.
Rent a home
With lawful residence, you can rent housing and open a bank account on the same basis as other lawful residents.
The rules for each service apply.
Use public healthcare
If your employment qualifies, you are normally covered by public health insurance.
Otherwise, you need another way to get health insurance.
Receive social support
You can receive social support if you meet the rules for the benefit.
These benefits include Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe, child benefit and parental allowance.
How to apply
From outside GermanyFrom outside Germany
Find your consulate
Find the German embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which German consulate covers your city for a Familiennachzug visa to join a German child?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsFill in your application
Create an account in the Consular Services Portal and fill in the national visa application for family reunification. Upload the requested documents.
Fill in your applicationSubmit your application
Submit your application through the portal to your responsible consulate. Where the online service is not available for your application, you can use the consulate's paper application process instead.
Submit your applicationWait for the review
Wait for the consulate to review your application for completeness. Correct or add anything it asks for through the portal.
Follow your applicationBook an appointment
Book a personal appointment through the portal or your consulate's appointment system. Booking is free.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Go to the consulate or its authorised visa application centre with your application and documents, and show originals if asked. Give your fingerprints and photograph and pay the visa fee using a payment method accepted there.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Germany Familiennachzug visa appointment at the German consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate's decision and answer any requests for more information or documents. You can follow your application and receive next steps through your portal account.
Follow your applicationTravel to Germany
Once your visa is issued, enter Germany while it is valid.
Plan your entrySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Germany with a Familiennachzug visa to join my German child?”
Once in GermanyOnce in Germany
Register your address
After arriving in Germany, register the address where you live if you are required to do so.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register my address in your city after arriving in Germany on a Familiennachzug visa?”
Find your local office
Find the foreigners office responsible for the place where you live in Germany.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which foreigners office in your city handles a Germany Familiennachzug residence permit for the parent of a German child?”
Fill in your application
Use your local office's online service to fill in the family-reasons residence permit application. Create an account if the service asks you to.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Germany Familiennachzug residence permit application for the parent of a German child in your city?”
Submit your application
Submit your application and the requested documents to your local foreigners office before your visa expires. The office may also accept an application using its official form.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Germany Familiennachzug residence permit application for the parent of a German child in your city?”
Wait for your appointment
Wait for your local foreigners office to review your application and tell you when to attend an appointment. Answer any requests for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow a Germany Familiennachzug residence permit application for the parent of a German child in your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your original documents to the foreigners office and give your fingerprints and photograph if requested. Bring your child's other parent if the office asks you both to attend.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Germany Familiennachzug residence permit appointment for the parent of a German child in your city?”
Pay the permit fee
Pay the residence permit fee in the way your local foreigners office tells you to.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for a Germany Familiennachzug residence permit for the parent of a German child in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the foreigners office to decide your application and prepare your card. Answer any requests for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow a Germany Familiennachzug residence permit application for the parent of a German child in your city?”
Collect your residence permit
Collect your electronic residence permit when the foreigners office tells you it is ready. It lets you stay in Germany for the period shown on your permit.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Germany Familiennachzug residence permit for the parent of a German child in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate
Provide your German child's German birth certificate. It should show your relationship to your child.
Proof of custody *
Provide evidence that you have custody of your German child. Ask your office which records it accepts; an unmarried father applying on this basis must provide custody evidence.
* Only if you apply as a parent with custody.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParents' marriage certificate *
Provide the marriage certificate for you and your child's other parent. Your office may use it as evidence of your family relationship or custody.
* Only if you are married to your child's other parent and your office asks for it.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of family life *
Provide evidence of your family life with your German child or of the care you give them. Ask your office which records it accepts.
* Only if your office asks for proof of your family life or care for your child.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationChild's citizenship records *
Provide your German child's passport or identity document, or another official record showing their German citizenship. Your office may also ask for supporting family records.
* Only if your child's German citizenship is not already shown by the documents you provide.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationChild's school certificate *
Provide a current school certificate for your German child. Ask the school for a certificate showing that your child attends.
* Only if your child is of compulsory school age and your foreigners authority asks for it.
Child's residence record *
Provide evidence that your German child lives in Germany. Ask your office which records it accepts.
* Only if your office asks for proof of where your child lives.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Keeping permission valid
Apply in time to extend your stay; renewal is not automatic.
Keep your passport or travel document and residence card valid, report relevant changes to the authorities and follow the conditions on your card.
Permission can end
Your right to stay can end on its expiry date, on an ending condition, or through withdrawal, cancellation or expulsion, including for fraud or serious security reasons.
It also ends if you leave for a non-temporary reason or do not return within six months, unless the authorities allow longer.
It may end if family life stops, but separate permission may be possible; separation does not end it immediately.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Family reunion visa for germany
English Facebook group for people living in Germany interested in German visas
Request to joinFAMILY REUNION VISA FOR GERMANY- only authentic information
English Facebook group for people living in Germany interested in German visas
Join on FacebookFamily reunion Visa for Germany
English Facebook group for people living in Germany interested in German visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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