cover letter for family reunion visa

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Sample Cover Letter – Family Reunion Visa (Dependent Visa)

It is mandatory to submit the cover letter with the other visa documents. This is also one of the documents from the visa checklist.

You can just copy and edit this sample invitation letter.

• Red font texts – To be changed
• Black font texts – Not necessary to change

Kindly replace the red font once you have finished editing. Submit the document only in black font.

Sample Cover letter

Cover letter

Your full name like in the passport Street City Pincode Germany

The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany 9, Boat Club Rd RA Puram Raja Annamalai Puram Chennai

Subject: Application for German National Visa for family reunion in Germany

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am *** (applicant name) ; a citizen of India bearing an Indian passport (Passport number: ********) would like to submit my application for German National Visa for family reunion in Germany. The main purpose of my travel is to live with my husband, *** (name) , who is living in *** (Germany address) .

Please find the documents which are mentioned in the checklist by German Missions in India.

I would be happy to provide any further information that might be helpful in making a favourable decision regarding my family reunion visa.

Thanking you.

Best regards,

(Signature) Your full name like in the passport

Contact details

Mobile – Germany: 0049 *** *** **** Email: ******@gmail .com

Word document

I have also uploaded the word document. This letter was prepared using MS word 2013. If you use any other version, kindly copy and paste the above text to eliminate the alignment error.

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My wife at Germany nursing student .we have a child 3 years old how to get visa both I mean visa process of the child

You can apply for the visa together. If you still need help, kindly contact me through “https://myjdrr.com/contact-us/”.

Thanks for this info on Cover letter. What if the husband is applying for blue card and wife is applying together for the first time.

In that case, an invitation letter from the husband is not necessary. If you need any other details, kindly add the specific question.

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Sample Covering Letter for German Visa Family Reunion

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How to Write a Covering Letter for Family Reunion Visa in Germany (With Free Samples)

The German government has made is easy for registered partner in Germany to bring in their spouse. Same is applicable to the third-country people that are residing legally in the country to have their spouse with them. But the clause is that you must fulfill all the laid –down conditions which has been stipulated by the government. Now, when once the conditions have been fulfilled, the next stop is to get the visa and one way to easily get the visa is to write a personal covering letter for German visa family reunion to the recipient.

So a cover letter for German visa family reunion is a backup document that covers the real purpose of the visa application. The covering letter will be a kind of introductory letter where the recipient will get to know about the sender and the details of the visa application. It is always of essence to simplified fact to allow the reader know more about an application to take an informed decision, this would be the whole idea of a personal covering letter for a German visa.

Writing an effective personal covering letter for German visa family reunion will need you stating in clear terms your facts with some evidences. You would need to convince the German consulate General that you have met all the requirements and provided all needed documents. So the letter shouldn’t only be compelling it should be informative. You would need to input all the information that you believe will interest the recipient. The below writing tips would help you write a convincing letter that would prompt the consulate to give an approval

• Start by stating your name and address
• Then state the recipient name, title and address, beneath this you can include your subject
• Salute the recipient formally. You can use dear Sir or Madam
• Begin the first paragraph with an introduction or a preamble then move to detailing the need to get into Germany
• State the reasons or purpose of the letter. Don’t forget to add the needed documents to the letter
• Tell the recipient to contact if need be, so that you can explain issues to the recipient to clear out things
• Reiterate the need for your request to be granted
• Close your letter and sign off with your name and title

Below are the sample personal covering letters for German visa family reunion

Victor Williams

345 landmarks Avenue,

Sacramento, USA

German Consulate General

4 th floor, Barry house building

St Peter road

Karnataka 0986765

Subject: request letter for issuance of family reunion visa

I, Victor Williams hold a passport number 453245 want to apply for the German visa family reunion visa for my family. I want to join my wife that is presently working as an Engineer in Germany. My wife Benny Williams is a blue cardholder with passport number 123456 works with the Staco engineering company as an site Engineer in Berlin, Germany.

The truth is that we got married on the 3 rd sept 2020, she is currently residing at 20 Indiana road Berlin. This stated address will also be my residential address when I move into the country. I intend to pay for all our expenses though I know my wife will want to help out as well. I have attached to this letter the required documents for verification: proof of accommodation which will be more than enough for me, proof of my German language skills, our marriage registration certificate and the identity card of my spouse. I attest that all the information I have provided here are all true to the best of my knowledge.

I wouldn’t mind furnishing you with other information you might need of me. On this note I reiterate that you approve and issue me a visa for a family reunion in Germany.

Yours sincerely

Benny Williams

Hosea Collins

789 bayside Road,

Chennai, Germany

4 th may, 2021

To: the consulate general of the federal republic of Germany

564 hockeys Club Street

Chennai, Germany,

This is a request letter for German visa family reunion written on behalf of my wife Sharon Collins. I am her husband currently working with the tx automotive company at Altdorf Germany. I am the senior liver coordinator and I live at no 789 bayside Road. Chennai, Germany. We got married in England, UK and she has been there for a while to finalize her projects. She is done now and I would like to invite to permanently join me here so that we are progress with our married life together here.

All the expenses that would be incurred while she is here will be borne by me. I have attached all the needed documents as evidence for your perusal. I can assure you that my wife wills only conduct herself to the tenets of the rules and regulations as upheld here. With all of this in mind, I plead that you allow a visa for her. Thanks for your consideration; I hope that the response will come sooner than I think.

Yours sincerely,

It is great news now as the German immigration authorities has created a German visa for family reunion. So if you live in German and you need your spouse or family to join you then you would need a reunion visa for the person. When once the conditions are met, then you apply for a visa and to get things easily done you would need to include or attach a covering letter to your application.

Writing the personal covering letter isn’t difficult provided you know the information to include and the format to adopt. The writing tips above have given you the detailed information on how to get it right. You just need to adopt and include them in your letter to craft it excellently. The samples are also written for your convenience; you can adopt any as your template and fit in your original information to your taste.

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Cover Letter for Schengen Visa Visiting Family [Sample, Template & Tips on How To Write] in 2024

How to write a cover letter for schengen visa visiting family, 1. introduction.

Start your letter by introducing yourself. This includes:

• Passport number
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Current residence address
• Contact details

2. Purpose of Visit

Detail the primary purpose of your visit. Mention that you’re visiting family members, specifying who they are, their relation to you, and their residence address in the Schengen area. It’s beneficial to underline that family reunions are the sole purpose of your trip.

3. Travel Itinerary

In this section, provide a brief overview of your travel itinerary. Mention:

• Arrival and departure dates
• The Schengen country you’ll first land in
• Your planned movement within the Schengen zone (if you’ll be traveling to more than one country)

4. Detailed Trip Plan

Expand on your travel itinerary:

• Mention any events or family functions you plan to attend.
• Discuss places of interest you might visit with family members.
• Give an idea of how you plan to spend your time. This paints a picture of a personal, family-centered trip.

5. Accommodation Details

Discuss your accommodation arrangements during your stay:

• If staying with family, mention their address and provide a consent letter or invitation from them.
• If you’ve booked a hotel for any part of your stay (perhaps due to space constraints at your family’s residence or a side trip), provide those details and reservations.

6. Financial Proof

Highlight that you have the financial means to support yourself during your visit:

• Mention bank statements or salary slips you’re attaching.
• If your family is sponsoring your trip or covering some of your expenses, provide documentation of their willingness and their financial capability to do so.

7. Ties to Home Country

This section is crucial. The Schengen authorities want to ensure that you have strong reasons to return to your home country. Mention:

• Your current job or business, including position and duration of employment or business operation.
• Property or assets you own in your home country.
• Close family members residing in your home country, emphasizing your need to return.

8. Previous Travel History

If you’ve traveled to other countries in the past, especially the Schengen zone, mentioning this can bolster your application. It indicates that you’ve respected visa conditions before and adds credibility to your current application.

9. Conclusion

Conclude by summarizing your intent, assuring the visa officer of your plans to return after your visit. Express hope that the consulate will grant the visa, allowing you to spend quality time with your family.

10. Signature and Date

End the letter with your signature, full name, and date.

4 Tips For Writing Your Cover Letter

• Clarity : Ensure your cover letter is clear and easy to understand.
• Brevity : While you want to provide all necessary details, keep your letter concise.
• Proofreading : Avoid typos and grammatical errors to make a professional impression.
• Attachments : Clearly list all the attachments you’re enclosing with your application.

What Should I Do if There’s a Change in My Travel Plans After Submitting the Cover Letter?

If there’s a change in your travel plans after submitting the cover letter for your Schengen visa application:

• Inform the Embassy/Consulate : Contact the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application as soon as possible to inform them about the changes.
• Submit Revised Documents : Provide updated documents reflecting the new travel plans. This may include a revised cover letter, updated itinerary, or new hotel bookings.
• Explain the Changes : Clearly explain the reasons for the changes in your travel plans and ensure that they are consistent with the visa type you are applying for.
• Check for Additional Requirements : Ask the embassy or consulate if any additional information or documentation is required due to the change in plans.

Promptly addressing any changes can help prevent misunderstandings and potential delays in your visa processing.

Can I Include Additional Documents That Aren’t Mentioned in the Cover Letter’s Attachments Checklist?

Yes, you can include additional documents that are not listed in the cover letter’s attachments checklist if you believe they strengthen your application:

• Relevant Documents : Include documents that provide further evidence of your ties to your home country, financial stability, or purpose of travel.
• Clearly Label and Explain : Ensure that each additional document is clearly labeled and referenced in your cover letter, explaining why it is relevant to your application.
• Avoid Unnecessary Information : Only include additional documents that are directly pertinent to your application to avoid overloading the embassy or consulate with unnecessary information.

Providing comprehensive and relevant information can aid in the decision-making process of your visa application.

Should I Get the Cover Letter Notarized or Officially Verified?

Generally, it is not necessary to get your cover letter for a Schengen visa notarized or officially verified:

• Standard Requirements : Most Schengen visa applications do not require cover letters to be notarized.
• Official Verification Unnecessary : Unless specifically requested by the embassy or consulate, official verification is not typically needed.
• Authenticity and Accuracy : Your cover letter should be truthful and accurate, as providing false information can lead to visa refusal or other legal consequences.

Schengen Visa Cover Letter Attachments Checklist

To ensure a seamless evaluation of my Schengen visa application for visiting my family in [Schengen Country, e.g., “Germany”], I have meticulously compiled a checklist of all the documents I’m submitting.

This list serves as an easy reference to guarantee that all necessary documentation is reviewed and that no vital information is overlooked.

Below is the detailed breakdown:

• Completed Visa Application Form: The official Schengen visa application form, filled out accurately and signed.
• Passport and Photographs: My valid passport with a minimum of two blank pages and at least three months’ validity post the intended stay date. Attached are also two recent passport-sized photographs conforming to the Schengen specifications.
• Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservations or if staying with family, a formal invitation letter from the host detailing the address and the duration of stay.
• Travel Itinerary: Detailed flight itinerary showing entry and exit from the Schengen area.
• Employment Letter: A recent letter from my employer, indicating my job position, the duration of my employment, my salary, and the period of approved leave.
• Travel Health Insurance: A copy of my travel insurance certificate, covering emergency medical situations and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
• Proof of Sufficient Financial Means: Recent bank statements, pay slips, or other documents that prove my financial capability to support my stay in the Schengen area.
• Family Ties Evidence: If applicable, documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or any other official documents that validate my relationship to the family member I’m visiting.
• Previous Schengen Visas: If applicable, copies of previous Schengen visas or permits.
• Additional Supporting Documents: Any supplementary documents that substantiate the purpose of the visit, such as photographs, email conversations, or any other evidence of the family relationship.

Sample Cover Letter for Schengen Visa Visiting Family in 202 4

Subject: Application for Schengen Visa for Visiting Family

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to apply for a Schengen visa to visit my [relation, e.g., “sister”] residing in [Schengen country, e.g., “Germany”] from [start date] to [end date].

I am a [your profession, e.g., “software engineer”] at [your company’s name, e.g., “ABC Tech”], and I’ve been employed there since [start date of your employment, e.g., “January 2020”]. I am granted leave from [start date] to [end date], after which I will resume my professional responsibilities in [your country, e.g., “the USA”].

The primary purpose of my visit is to spend quality time with my family, especially my [relation, e.g., “sister”], Ms. [Family member’s name, e.g., “Jane Doe”], who resides at [family member’s address]. During my stay, we plan to [briefly describe what you plan to do, e.g., “explore the cultural heritage of Berlin and visit the picturesque countryside of Bavaria”].

Enclosed with this letter are the following documents as evidence to support my visa application:

• Completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photographs
• Valid passport and previous travel documents
• Employment letter stating my job position, salary, and the approved leave duration
• Travel health insurance
• Flight itinerary and hotel reservations
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the intended stay

Regarding the duration and frequency of my visits, I intend to stay in [Schengen country, e.g., “Germany”] for a duration of [number of days, e.g., “25 days”]. In the past three years, I have visited the Schengen area twice, primarily to spend holidays with family, without any visa violations.

My [relation, e.g., “sister”], Ms. [Family member’s name], has been residing in [Schengen country] for the past [number of years, e.g., “five years”], working with [her company’s name, e.g., “XYZ Corp.”] and holds a permanent residency status. Our family has maintained strong ties, and this visit will further strengthen our bond.

For any further clarifications regarding my visit, you may contact me directly at [your phone number] or [your email address]. Additionally, my [relation, e.g., “sister”] can be reached at [her phone number] and [her email address].

I assure you of my genuine intent for this visit and my commitment to return to [your country, e.g., “the USA”] at the end of my stay. I kindly request you to consider my application positively.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can i draft the cover letter by hand or should it be typed.

It’s recommended to type the cover letter for clarity and professionalism. Handwritten letters might be difficult to read and appear less formal.

Can I use the same cover letter for multiple Schengen countries if I'm visiting family in more than one country?

No, it’s advisable to draft separate cover letters for each country, tailoring the content to your plans and the family you’ll be visiting in each nation.

Is it mandatory to attach all documents mentioned in the attachments checklist?

While the checklist serves as a guide, you should only include relevant documents. For instance, if you haven’t had prior Schengen visas, you wouldn’t need to include past visas in your submission.

How long should I wait before following up on my visa application after submitting the cover letter and accompanying documents?

It’s recommended to wait for at least 15 business days before inquiring about the status of your visa application unless you’ve been given a different timeline by the embassy or consulate.

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Cover letter for German Family Reunification Visa

Third-country nationals who are legally residing in Germany can bring over their spouse or registered partner in Germany if they both fulfill some conditions. To be able to obtain the spouse visa, the applicant must provide a cover letter stating the exact purpose of the visa application. Below you will find a sample cover letter that was used for German Family Reunification Visa in Bangalore Consulate, India.

Personal Cover Letter from the Applicant for the German Family Reunification Visa

From <Name & Address> To German Consulate General, 2nd & 3rd floor, Cash Pharmacy Building, Corner St. Mark’s Road & Residency Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025. Subject : Cover letter requesting issue of Family Reunion Visa for Spouse Dear Sir/Madam, I, XYZ holding Indian Passport (Passport No. XYZ) wish to apply for the German National visa for Family Reunion (Spouse) to join my husband currently working in Germany. My husband, XYZ (Blue card holder with Indian Passport No. XYZ, is working for XYZ as Software Professional in Berlin, Germany. We got married on XYZ and he is currently residing at <German Address>. The mentioned address will also be my future residential address in Germany. And he will be my sole sponsor during my stay and will be covering all the expenses involved. The required documents are attached along with this application and all the details mentioned are true to best of my understanding.. I shall be pleased to furnish any further information and submit the relevant documents, as and when required, in this regard.

Keeping in view of the above, I request you to kindly issue the visa to join my husband in Germany. Sincerely, (Applicant’s Name)

In case, you’re newly wed with a valid marriage certificate issued recently, it helps producing a No Objection Letter filled by parents. This letter is mandatory if the girl (applicant) is minor, otherwise it’s recommended. Below you will find a sample no objection reference letter to be signed by parents of the applicant.

No Objection Letter for the German Family Reunification Visa

From     <Parents Name> <Address>

German Consulate General, 2nd & 3rd floor, Cash Pharmacy Building, Corner St. Mark’s Road & Residency Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025 Subject :  No Objection Certificate for issuance of Visa (Letter of Consent) Dear Sir/Madam, We hereby, declare that our daughter, XYZ, holding Indian nationality with Passport No. XYZ,  has got married to XYZ, Indian national with Passport No. XYZ. She will be travelling to Germany to join her husband on <date> with our consent. The undersigned do further solemnly affirm and verify that the contents of my above statement are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed therein. Sincerely, Father (XYZ) & Mother (XYZ)

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For family reunion visa for child, there is also a cover letter required. Now my question is, the cover letter should be on child’s behalf. I mean same way as spouse or parent(mother) can write and sign on child’s behalf? If one of the parent is in Germany , then can one parent can sign or both parents need to sign?

How did you proceed with this?

How can I write a cover letter for my Minor Child to issue National Family Reunion Visa on my Child’s behalf? Is there a sample letter available, I need very urgently to apply.

Does any one have a response to above questions?

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Family Reunion Visa Germany: Complete Guide 

Table of Contents

Family Reunion Visa Germany – Complete Guide

Imagine packing your bags with a mix of excitement and nervousness as you get ready to join your loved one on a journey to Germany. The thought of reuniting with your family and starting a new chapter in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries is thrilling. But the road to reunion starts with a crucial step: obtaining a FAMILY REUNION VISA .

It might feel like an overwhelming and complex process, but it’s a manageable journey with the right guidance. This guide is here to light your path, providing you with the essential steps, tips, and insights you need to navigate the visa application process without a hitch.

Eligibility 

To join a family member in Germany, you’ll typically need to seek a Family Reunion Visa. This visa is meant for non-EU nationals who wish to live with family members who are already settled in Germany.

Eligible family members include

• Registered Partners
• Minor Children
• Under certain conditions, parents of minor children and other relatives.

Eligibility Criteria for Family Reunion Visa 

The primary eligibility conditions require

• Financial support from the German resident for the family member who is moving to the country
• Enough Living Space
• Basic German Language Skills For Spouses and Adult Children.

The requirement to show that spouses and adult children have basic German language skills may be waived in cases .

• Where doing so would create extreme hard for family members in Germany or might be inappropriate.
• According to the specific circumstances, such as in cases where the family member in Germany is severely ill or otherwise unable to take the test.

Types of Family Reunion Visas in Germany

Spouse/Registered Partner Visa:

• This visa is for the husband, wife, or registered partner of a German resident or citizen.
• To get this visa, the couple must usually prove that they are married or in a registered partnership.
• Sometimes they need to show they can communicate in German at a basic level.

Children Visa

• This visa is for children under 18 years of age who want to join their parents living in Germany.
• The parents must have a valid residence permit, and there should be enough living space and financial stability to support the child.

Parent Visa For Underage Children

• For parents looking to join their underage child in Germany, the primary considerations include proving the child’s need for parental care in Germany.
• Demonstrating enough financial resources and living space, and sometimes, the custody arrangements if only one parent is moving.

Parent Visa For Adult Children

Joining an adult child in Germany is generally more complex. The German immigration laws are more restrictive when it comes to family reunification with adult children or parents of adult children. Here are some key points:

• Dependency: A crucial factor is proving that the parent is dependent on the adult child for support due to health or other significant reasons.
• Financial Stability: The adult child in Germany must have sufficient financial resources and living space to support their parent(s) without recourse to social assistance from the state.
• Rare Cases: Grants of visas for parents to join adult children in Germany are relatively rare and usually require special circumstances to be demonstrated, such as the parent’s need for care that can only be provided by the child in Germany.

To apply for any of these visas, the person living in Germany must usually have enough living space and financial stability to support their family members.

Each type of visa has specific requirements, so it’s important to check the current guidelines provided by the German embassy or consulate in your country. You can also check Federal Foreign Office of Germany’s website for the most accurate and detailed information.

Other Family Members Visa

In special cases, other family members, such as siblings, grandparents, or adult children, might be allowed to join their family in Germany.

This is usually considered when there is a need for special protection of the family member (for example, if they require care that cannot be provided in their home country).

Which Type of Family Reunion Visa You Need

• Carefully determine which visa type you need before you start the application process.
• Applying for the wrong visa category may affect the outcome of your application.
• The type of visa you need will depend on what family member you intend to join and your current situation.

Basic Required Documents for All Applicants

1. Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least three more months beyond your planned stay in Germany.

2. Visa Application Form: Fully completed and signed.

3. Recent Biometric Photos: Usually two, following the specific requirements provided by the embassy or consulate.

4. Proof of Relationship:

• For Spouse:  Marriage certificate.
• Children: Birth certificate.
• Other family members: Documents proving the family relationship.

5. Proof of German Language Skills (for spouses/partners, if applicable): Certificates from recognized language institutes like Goethe-Institut .

6. Proof of Financial Stability: Bank statements or a letter of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from the family member in Germany.

7. Proof of Adequate Living Space in Germany: Rental contract and a statement from the landlord about the size of the dwelling.

Additional Documents for Specific Situations

8. Health Insurance : Evidence of travel or health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay until you are covered by statutory health insurance in Germany.

9. Custody Documents: If applicable, especially for children traveling alone or with one parent.

10. Parental Consent: For underage children traveling without both parents, a consent letter from the non-traveling parent(s) is necessary.

11. Proof of Integration Measures: For spouses, evidence of integration into German society could be beneficial, like participation in language courses or integration classes.

For the Sponsor/Relative in Germany

1. Copy of their Passport/ID Card: To prove their residence in Germany.

2. Proof of Residence Permit : If they are not a German citizen but reside in Germany with a valid permit.

3. Income Statements: To demonstrate financial ability to support the family member.

4. Proof of Health Insurance: To show that the family member will be covered upon arrival.

Preparing for Submission

• Translations: All documents not in German or English should be translated into German by a certified translator.
• Copies and Originals: Usually, you must submit both originals and copies of all documents.
• Check with the embassy or consulate if originals are required or if copies are sufficient.
• It’s essential to start gathering these documents well in advance of your visa appointment.
• Each document plays a critical role in the application process, and missing or incomplete documentation can lead to delays or denial of the visa.

Get Health Insurance and Accommodation

• You also need to provide evidence of health insurance and accommodation in Germany when you lodge your application.
• Your family member in Germany should help you out with this part of the application process.

Learn German

• Basic knowledge of the German language atleast level A1 of applicant is an important requirement for some visa categories, as it will help you find your feet in German society.
• However, this requirement is not set in stone, so investigate or ask about your particular situation.

Application Process

• Application usually begins by filling out a visa application form online or at your local German mission.
• Once you’ve completed your form, book an interview at your local mission.
• During your interview, you will need to submit your documents as well as answer questions about your time in Germany.

Fees of Family Reunion Visa

• Adults: The standard fee for an adult applying for a Family Reunion Visa is approximately €75 (Euros).
• Children under 18: The fee is reduced for children, typically around €37.50 (Euros).
• Please note, these fees are subject to change and may vary by country due to fluctuating exchange rates or specific embassy/consulate policies.
• Additionally, certain categories of applicants may be exempt from the visa fee, or different rates may apply based on bilateral agreements between Germany and other countries.
• It’s also important to keep in mind that the visa fee is usually non-refundable, even if the visa application is not successful.
• Therefore, make sure you have all the required documents and meet all the eligibility criteria before submitting your application and paying the fee.

Processing Time

• The processing time is typically 3-4 months.
• Keep this in mind and apply well in advance of your intended travel date.
• The processing time can vary greatly depending on the embassy/consulate, as well as the specifics of your case.

Tips for a Successful Family Reunion Visa Application

Start early.

• Begin your application process as early as possible to avoid any unforeseen delays.

Ensure Complete and Accurate Documentation

• All your documents should be complete, accurate, and current.
• Any missing or incorrect information can cause delays or even denials of your application.

Prepare for Your Interview

• Be ready to talk about your relationship with the family member in Germany.
• Your future plans in the country, and how you plan to support yourself financially.

Living in Germany: Next Steps After Arrival

Once you arrive in Germany, follow these steps to settle in:

• Residence Registration: Register at the local Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) within your first week.
• Health Insurance: If you haven’t already, sign up for a health insurance plan that meets German standards.
• Integration Course: Consider taking an integration course to better your German language skills and understand German laws, culture, and society better.

Family Reunion Visa Validity and Extension

• The Family Reunion Visa initially lasts for 12 months.
• If you plan to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit extension in Germany.
• After living in Germany legally for five years, you may be eligible for permanent residency, provided you meet criteria, such as passing language tests .

In conclusion, a family reunion visa is a special permit that allows people from different countries to live together with their families in another country. This visa is important because it helps families to stay together and supports the idea that family bonds are crucial.

To apply for this visa, you need to follow specific steps and meet certain requirements, which can include proving your relationship with your family members and showing that you can support them financially.

Remember, each country has its own rules, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for the country you’re applying to. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask for advice from experts or people who have gone through the process. In the end, the effort to bring your family together is worth it, as being with loved ones is invaluable.

Read More at How to Abroad

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• Family Immigration

Understanding the Different Visa Options for Reuniting with Family in the United States

• February 22, 2023

Reuniting with family in the United States is a common goal for many people, and the U.S. immigration system offers several different visa options for achieving this goal with family reunion visas. However, the process can be complex and confusing, with different criteria and requirements for each type of visa. Understanding the different visa options available is the first step in reuniting with your loved ones in the United States .

What do you need to Know About Family Reunion Visas in the USA?

Reuniting with loved ones is a special moment that many of us cherish. If you have family members living in the USA, you may be considering applying for a family reunion visa to join them. However, navigating the complex family visas application process can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the requirements and procedures involved.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to family reunion visas in the USA. We will cover everything you need to know to increase your chances of success, from eligibility criteria and documentation requirements to processing times and expert tips. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of family reunion visas in the USA!

Family-based immigration:

This is the most common way for U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor their family members for immigration. The U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident is considered the “sponsor,” and the family member is considered the “beneficiary.” Family-based immigration has several different categories, including immediate relatives, family preference categories, and fiancé visas.

Immediate relatives are the spouse, children (under 21 years of age), and parents of U.S. citizens. These family members do not have to wait in line for a visa, as there are no numerical limits or quotas on the number of visas that can be issued.

Family visa preference categories are for family members who are not considered immediate relatives. These categories include adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as married children and brothers and sisters of legal permanent residents. There are annual quotas on the number of visas that can be issued in these categories, so the waiting times can be long.

Fiancé visas (K-1) are for the fiancé of a U.S. citizen, who is coming to the United States to get married. This visa allows the fiancé to enter the United States for 90 days, during which time the marriage must take place. After the marriage, the fiancé can apply for adjustment of status to become a legal permanent resident.

Humanitarian Parole:

This is a discretionary form of relief that allows foreign nationals to enter the United States, who would otherwise be ineligible. Humanitarian Parole is typically granted on a case-by-case basis and is intended to be used in emergency situations or for compelling humanitarian reasons.

Asylum and refugee status:

This type of visa is for individuals who are fleeing persecution or fear of persecution in their home country based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The process for obtaining asylum or refugee status can be lengthy and complex, and it is important to have legal representation to ensure the best chance of success.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS):

This is a form of temporary relief for individuals from certain countries who are unable to return to their home country due to ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. TPS is granted to individuals who are already in the United States and is not a path to permanent residency.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

This program is for certain individuals who came to the United States as children and meet certain criteria. DACA recipients are given a two-year period of deferred action from deportation and are eligible to apply for work authorization.

Get the help of a Florida Immigration Lawyer

In conclusion, understanding the different family visa options available is the first step in reuniting with your family in the United States. Each type of visa has its own criteria and requirements, and the process can be complex and confusing. It is important to consult with an immigration attorney to determine the best course of action. Remember that the process can take a long time and it’s important to have patience and to gather all the necessary documents, and be aware of the costs associated with the process.

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Family Reunion Visa Germany: An Ultimate Guide For International Students (2024)

• What is a Ramily Visa?
• Who can apply?
• How long is the visa valid?
• Processing Time
• Can I work?
• Requirements
• How to apply?
• Residence Permit

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How To Get Your German Student Visa Application Done — Quickly and Stress-Free

Moving to a foreign country is an exciting, albeit challenging, task for most students. This new chapter of your life brings with it lots of novelties, opportunities and difficulties. Germany is not an exception in that regard. Based on our observation of hundreds of cases, most of the international students in Germany need at least one semester to adapt to the new environment that they have to face in Germany. In fact, some of the students cannot cope with the novelties and even leave the country during or after the first semester. 

However, it has to be emphasized that there are multiple ways through which international students can turn this transitional period into a much smoother and more enjoyable experience! One of them is to bring your family with you to Germany. Did you know that some of your family members can accompany you in Germany during your studies through a special type of visa called "Family Reunion Visa"?  If this is a type of German visa that you would like to learn more about, then you are in the right place, as here we address the fundamental questions related to the family reunion visa.

It is our goal to inform you honestly and accurately, therefore, we need to add a DISCLAIMER :  

You should use this text as a general guide, but it cannot be a legal consultation. The visa regulations are made and executed by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), and the local Foreigners’ Offices (Ausländerbehörde). Please be aware: Some rules and procedures can vary from embassy/consulate to embassy/consulate (even within one country), and from Ausländerbehörde to Ausländerbehörde in Germany. That is why we highly recommend you also consult the  German representation abroad  near you, and the local Foreigners’ Office in Germany (which Ausländerbehörde is responsible for you depends on your residence in Germany) for information that applies to your case.

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What is a Family Reunion Visa?

German family visa ( Visum zur Familienzusammenführung/Familiennachzug ) is a type of visa that allows family members of international students to join them in Germany during their studies. In other words, as an international student, you have a right to bring some of your family members with you as a holder of a German student visa / student residence permit. 

Keep in mind that not all of your relatives are permitted to join you during your studies. Generally speaking, depending on the individual cases, family members that are eligible to accompany you during your studies in Germany are your spouse (wife, husband), your child and your parent . It is noteworthy that the family visa requirements differ based on who will join you. Put differently, the documentation package and the prerequisites needed for your child to join you are not the same as in the case of your spouse joining you on your German student visa .

Who can apply for a Family Reunion visa in Germany?

Actually, it is more about who should apply rather than who can apply for a German family reunion visa. Basically, whatever the country of origin of your family member (e.g., your spouse), s/he will be able to come and stay with you in Germany.  The thing is that depending on the country of origin, your family member may or may not need a visa and/or a residence permit. In total, we can distinguish between three groups of countries based on the need for a visa and residence permit for a German Family Reunion Visa:

Countries whose citizens need neither a visa nor a residence permit to join you during your studies in Germany. For example, family members from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland fall into this category, as, basically, they have the same rights as Germans.

States whose citizens do not need a visa but need a residence permit . For instance, the USA and the UK.

Countries whose citizens need both a visa and a residence permit . For example, China and India.

Below you can find the full list of countries divided according to these categories.

Group 1 (EU + 4)

No visa or residence permit needed.

Group 2 (USA, UK, Canada, South Korea, Brazil, El Salvador +8)

No visa needed, but residence permit (after arrival).

Group 3 (rest of the world)

Always need a student visa.

How long is a Family Reunification visa valid for?

The family reunification visa is valid for at least the duration of your studies. In other words, a German family visa is valid for a minimum of 1 year . For example, if you are doing a 2-year Master's in Germany and you brought your spouse on a student visa, the family reunion visa for your her/him will be valid for at least 2 years.

Family Reunion Visa Germany: Processing Time

How long does it take to get a family reunion visa for Germany? Based on our research, in most cases, the processing time for a German family visa is around 3 months. Keep in mind that there is no universal processing time that applies to all cases. In some countries, German family visa processing time might take less (e.g., in China, it might take 8 weeks ), while in others, it might take even over 3 months (e.g., in India, 3 months is a minimum required processing time ). Hence, checking the processing times at your local German Embassy/Consulate is of utmost importance.

Further Reading

Can I work in Germany with a Family Reunion Visa?

Yes, your family members joining you during your studies can work with a family reunion visa in Germany . For example, after arriving in Germany with a family reunion visa, your spouse will have around 3 months to convert that German spouse visa into a residence permit for spouses. As soon as the residence permit is granted, your husband/wife will have a right to work in Germany.

Note : for receiving the relevant residence permit, your spouse will need to apply to the local Foreigners' Authority (i.e., local immigration office, in German -  Ausländerbehörde ). You can find more information regarding this procedure in the " How to apply for a Residence Permit for a German Family Reunion Visa? " section of this article.

Geeky Stuff Box

To study in Germany, most international students need a special type of residence permit for studying. This residence permit grants them the right to work in Germany, although with some limitations. In particular, international students can work in Germany 280 days per year part-time (e.g., up to 20 hours per week) or 140 days per year full-time (e.g., more than 20 hours per week).

What are the requirements for a Family Reunion Visa in Germany?

As already mentioned, depending on which family member is going to join you on your student visa in Germany, there can be slightly different requirements and prerequisites. In order not to further complicate the already complicated picture and not to confuse you with various subtypes, here we will focus on the most popular type of family reunion visa, which is the spouse visa in Germany.

Before introducing to you the general checklist of documents needed for the German spouse visa application, let us first present to you some prerequisites that you and your spouse need to meet so that your husband/wife can qualify for this type of family reunion visa.

General prerequisites for spouse visa

Accommodation . As a student residence permit holder, you should have suitable accommodation in Germany for you and your spouse. In other words, your living space should be large enough to accommodate both of you. For example, a 16 sq.m. single room in a student dormitory will not qualify as adequate housing for a couple. It is noteworthy that student dormitories usually offer special housing that is sufficiently large for spouses. 

Money . You should have enough money to care for both yourself and your spouse. Put differently, you should have sufficient finances to cover the living costs for your family without the support of public funds.

Age . When applying for a family reunion/spouse visa, you and your partner should be at least 18 years old.

Marriage . You and your spouse should have registered your marriage before you got your German student visa .

Duration of your stay . The duration of your study course should be at least 1 year.

As for the documents that you need to apply for the German family reunion visa, in particular the German spouse visa, the list of required documents is usually provided on the websites of the local German Embassies/Consulates. Depending on the country of origin, there might be some slight differences in requirements. After looking through the requirements across various locations around the world, our team came up with the following general checklist of documents that you will usually need for your spouse visa application:

Checklist for the German family reunion visa/ German spouse visa

Completed application form . You can find the application forms on the website of the relevant German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your husband's/wife's application. The form is usually quite self-explanatory and easy to fill in. It asks you to provide information regarding your personal details, like your first and last names, date of birth, email, address, marital status, etc. Here is one of the examples of the German family reunion visa application form.

Completed declaration form . By doing this, your spouse confirms that the information s/he provided is accurate.

Passport . Your spouse's valid passport and copies of its data page. Besides, you need to provide copies of your passport's data page too.

Current biometric passport photos . The size of the photo should be 35(W) x 45(H). Your spouse's face in this photo should be clearly visible and should occupy 70-80% of the picture. This equals to 32-36mm of height. The background should be without shadows, bright and unicolored, preferably in neutral grey. Further details regarding the photo quality, head position and the rest can be found here .

Residence Permit . You should provide copies of your current student residence permit in Germany.

Marriage certificate .

In case of previous marriages: marriage, divorce, death certificates . This applies to both you and your spouse.

Birth certificate . Usually, your spouse should also provide a birth certificate for a German family reunion visa.

Invitation letter . You should write an informal letter of invitation confirming that you and your spouse will live together and that you will take the financial responsibilities with regard to your spouse.

Proof of funds . The proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your and your spouse's living costs in Germany.

Registration of the address ( Meldebescheinigung ) . A certificate confirming your registration at a German address.

Proof of accommodatio n in Germany. E.g., a lease contract or a letter from your landlord confirming that you are staying in the specific dormitory.

Health insurance . Your spouse should provide valid insurance that covers the first 3 months of his/her stay in Germany. At this point, travel insurance usually suffices.

Additional documents might be requested in individual cases. For example, a letter of motivation .

Note: All of the German family visa documents should be submitted as originals with two attached copies unless stated otherwise. Incomplete documentation may lead to the rejection of the family reunion visa application.

Regarding the German language certificate. In general, when one applies for a family reunion visa, s/he will need to provide proof of knowledge of A1 level of the German language by providing Goethe, TestDaf or other accepted certificates . In other words, usually, the German language is mandatory for a family reunion visa. However, some German Embassies/Consulates also explicitly mention that if your spouse is going to join you on a temporary basis, then there is no need for a German A1 certificate (e.g., check German Missions in Pakistan and German Mission to Kenya, Somalia and the Seychelles ). It is noteworthy that you, as a student visa holder, have a temporary German residence permit, which means that your spouse is also joining you on a temporary basis. Consequently, in this case, no German language certificate should be required from your spouse. Despite that, we still recommend you to double-check this information with the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your spouse's family reunion visa.

Table 1: Examples of family reunion visa requirements across German Embassies/Consulates

Once again: it is crucial to consult the websites of the German Embassies/Consulates as the requirements might vary. For example, German Missions in Kazakhstan require 3 biometric photos for the family reunion (spouse) visa application, while the German Embassy in Tbilisi (Georgia) requires 2 biometric photos.

How to apply for a Family Reunion Visa in Germany?

Getting an appointment for a German family reunion visa might take months. Besides, your family member might end up waiting another 3 months before her/his family visa is processed. Consequently, you all should plan months ahead and apply as early as possible if you want your family members to be in Germany at the desired time.

The procedure for applying for a family visa in Germany may vary slightly from country to country. Despite this, you have to know about NINE key steps to get the German family reunion visa:

Make sure that all of the prerequisites that qualify your family members for the family visa are met .

Start collecting the documents required for the German family reunion visa application. You can find all of the required documents in the "Family Reunion" (or  Familiennachzug ) section of the website of the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your family visa application. Important: Certify and translate the documents as required by the local German Embassy/Consulate.

Book the appointment at the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your application. You can find the German mission near you here . Note: you need to have all of the necessary documents ready by the time of your appointment. In other words, you can start collecting your documents both before and after you book the appointment. The key is that by the time you visit the Embassy/Consulate, you have all of the necessary documents in your hands.

Visit the Embassy/Consulate. Make sure you are there at least 15 minutes before the appointment.

Submit the documents. All of the documents should be ordered according to the checklist provided by your local German Embassy/Consulate. Do not staple the documents!

Pay the fee for processing your German family visa application. The fee for a German family reunion visa application is 75 Euros . Applicants have to pay the money in the local currency based on the exchange rate at the time of application. As for the payment methods, these vary from country to country. In some cases, the applicant will need to pay in cash only, in other cases with a credit card, yet in other cases, only a demand draft might be acceptable. Keep in mind that the fee is not reimbursable. In other words, even if your application for the German family visa is rejected, you will not get your money back.

Complete the interview. It will take around 10-15 minutes. The interview questions will mainly be regarding your personal background and the purpose of your travel.

Wait for the response. You will probably need to wait around 3 months (the timing depends on the German Embassy/Consulate in your country).

Collect your passport and visa.

Do not forget to check procedural information that applies to your specific case on the website of your local German Embassy/Consulate.

How to apply for a Residence Permit for a German Family Reunion Visa?

Let us stress this once again: if your family members are from the EU member-state, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, they do not need a residence permit. If they are not from the mentioned countries, they will need a residence permit for a family reunion.

For instance, if your spouse needs a German spouse visa to join you in Germany, the visa is usually valid for 3 months . After arriving in Germany, your wife or husband will need to get a residence permit for the German spouse visa within 3 months. Ideally, your spouse should apply for the German family reunion residence permit 6 weeks before the family visa expires . 

Usually, it takes around 4-6 weeks for the Foreigners' Authority Office responsible for your residence permit application to process your enquiry. In other words, the processing time for your German family reunion residence permit is around 1-1.5 months. Do not forget that the application is not free: the fee for the German family reunion residence permit is around 100 Euros .

As far as the documents required for the family reunion residence permit in Germany are concerned, they are not very much different from the documents needed for the visa application. Below you will find the checklist of the basic documents  you will need for the spouse residence permit in Germany.

Checklist of the documents for the German family reunion/German spouse residence permit:

Filled-out application form. You can find the application forms on the website of the Foreigners' Authority responsible for your application. 

Valid Passport. Make sure that your passport's expiry date is not very close and that it has enough free pages left.

Current biometric photo.

Valid entry visa (if applicable) .

Language certificate (if applicable). A German A1 certificate might be required.

Certificate of registration at your German address ( Meldebescheinigung ).

Proof of accommodation. For example, your rental contract.

Health insurance. In this case, it should be, for example, statutory German health insurance rather than travel insurance.

Proof of sufficient financial resources.

Additional documents might be requested in individual cases.

Do not forget to certify and translate the documents as required by the local Foreigners' Authority Office. In general, make sure always to double-check the information regarding the procedure and requirements for the German family reunion residence permit at the Foreigners' Authority Office responsible for your application!

Check out the table below for location-specific examples.

Table 2: Examples of family reunion residence permit requirements across German cities

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All about Family reunion visa for Germany

Indians can get lucrative jobs in Germany. However, family ties are important, and many Indians wish to have their close family members in Germany.

For this reason, Germany issues Family Reunion visas for spouses, children, or parents. Let us have a look at the different types and how to apply for each of them.

Germany Family Reunion Visa for Spouse

If you are an Indian national whose spouse works in Germany, you can go live with them using this visa.

One of the main requirements is that your spouse should be eligible to act as a sponsor for you. For this, they should hold one of the following:

• Possession of a settlement permit,
• An EU long-term residence permit,
• A residence permit or
• An EU Blue Card.

Along with this, they should have the financial capability to support you as well as sufficient living space and security.

Documents Required for Germany Family Reunion Visa for Spouse

Here is a checklist for the Family Reunion visa if you wish to join your spouse in Germany.

1. Valid Passport

You need to have a valid Indian passport that has been issued within the last 10 years. It also needs to be valid for at least another year from the visa application date.

However, it is better to make sure your passport is valid for more than a year from the visa application date. In addition, your passport must have at least two empty pages.

2. Application, Declarations, and Contact Information Forms

You will have to fill in three forms in addition to sending your documents for the Family Reunion Visa.

The first one is the Application Form for the National Visa (Family Reunion comes under this). In this, you are required to fill out your basic details.

It is recommended to fill it out online for faster processing. Otherwise, you can print it out, fill it, sign it, and then send it along with the rest of your documents. Here is the PDF version of the Application Form.

The second form you need to fill out and sign is the Declarations Form, which certifies that you have given complete and true information about yourself. Here is the PDF version of the Declarations Form.

The third form is the straightforward Contact Information Form, where you fill in your contact details. Here is the PDF link.

3. Personal Covering Letter for Family Reunion Visa

A cover letter should explain the exact purpose and duration of your stay in Germany. It should contain travel details that lend weight to the information filled out in your application form.

It acts as an overview of your application and is the first thing a visa consulate officer looks at before going over your documents. For this reason, cover letters are extremely important.

4. Copy of All Pages of Your Passport and your Spouse’s Passport

You are required to submit a copy of all pages of your passport. Your spouse will need to submit this too. Importantly, you will have to make sure these copies are printed on A4 size paper.

5. Certificate of Residence of Spouse in Germany (“Meldebescheinigung”)

A residence permit is a document or card that allows a foreign national to reside in a country for a fixed or indefinite length of time.

Your spouse will have to show this Certificate of Residence, or Meldebescheinigung, to serve as their address proof in Germany.

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6. Proof of Marriage

You need to show proof of marriage, using certificates and possibly photographs of the marriage function. The full requirements for proof of different types of marriage are given in detail in this checklist .

These include marriages that come under the Hindu Marriage Act, the Shariat Law, the Special Marriage Act, and the Christian Marriage Act.

If the marriage did not happen in Germany or India, you will have to show an appropriate legal certificate as proof.

Please make sure that the marriage certificate is in English or else you will have to get it translated and apostilled .

7. Birth Certificate

You will be required to provide your Birth Certificate issued according to the “Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969”.

Make sure this document is also in English or follow the same process of translation and apostille the document.

8. School Certificate

You need to submit a school certificate, which can be any one of the following:

• A matriculation certificate
• A middle school board certificate
• A school leaving certificate including the date of birth

If you have an academic degree, you will have to submit a copy of that as well.

9. Proof of Residence in India

To show proof of your residence in India, you can use any one of the following:

• Aadhar Card
• Ration Card covering the last 4 years
• Voter’s ID

10. Proof of German Knowledge (A1 Level)

For the family reunion visa for spouses, you would have to show basic knowledge of the German language, which is an A1 certificate no older than 12 months.

The German Missions only accept German language certificates issued by language institutes fulfilling ALTE-Standard, i.e., Goethe Institute (Max Mueller Bhavan) or Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD).

Here is more information on the German language requirement for spouses.

In general, if your spouse is eligible for a blue card or is a Blue card holder, you are not required to have German language knowledge as a dependent.

11. Passport Pictures

You need to have passport size pictures of yourself as per the biometric specifications , which are not older than six months.

4 passport pictures are required for the visa application, but it is a good idea to keep a few more with you in case you need them for other applications.

12. Fee for Verification of Documents for Family Reunion Visa

You will have to pay a fee for the verification of your documents. The visa fee comes to EUR 75 (INR 6,600) for adults and EUR 37,50 (INR 3,300) for minors aged 0-17.

The verification procedure will be initiated and carried out by the Embassy or the locally competent Consulate. As mentioned earlier, the process takes around 8 to 12 weeks.

Additional Documents for Family Reunion Visa

In certain cases, you might need to submit additional documents for the Family reuninon visa application. Some of these documents are:

• Copy of Spouse’s Residence Permit (“Aufenthaltstitel”)
• Divorce Judgement and Decree of all Former Marriages (If applicable)
• Certificate of Death of Former Spouse (If applicable)

Documents needed for Family Reunion Visa if Spouse is an EU Citizen (except German Citizen)

1. Employment Contract and Salary Slips

You will need a copy of the valid employment contract and salary slips of the last 3 months of your spouse living in Germany. You will require this only if your spouse is an EU citizen (except a German citizen).

2. Lease Agreement

You will require a copy of the lease agreement for accommodation in Germany of your spouse. You need this document only if your spouse is an EU citizen (except a German citizen).

Germany Family Reunion Visa for Children

The checklist for a Family Reunion visa for a child to join their parent(s) living in Germany, is nearly the same as the Family Reunion visa for a spouse.

For visa appointments, minors have to be accompanied by their legal guardian or third person duly authorized by the legal guardian.

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The few different documents needed are mainly concerned with proving the child’s identity and parentage. Additional documents needed in different cases are mentioned below.

1. Proof of German Knowledge (C1 Level)

If a minor is aged 16 and above, they will require to have German proficiency of at least C1 level. This is different than the German knowledge requirement for spouses, which is A1.

This requirement is only for minors who apply for a family reunion visa with a non-German/non-EU national.

2. Employment Contract and Salary Slips

A copy of the valid employment contract and salary slips of the last three months of the parent living in Germany is required. These are mandatory if the parent is an EU citizen (except a German citizen)

In case of a family reunion with a non-German parent in Germany

Sometimes the child’s parent is living in Germany while the other parent continues to reside permanently in India. In this case, the parent in Germany needs to prove sole custody in case the child’s parents are divorced.

On the other hand, if the parents are still married, a declaration of consent needs to be signed by the parent remaining in India in person at the German Mission.

Germany Family Reunion Visa Processing Time

According to the German Missions in India, your visa will take at least three months to process. This is regardless of the type of Family Reunion Visa that you apply for.

The verification procedure is initiated and carried out by the German Embassy or the locally competent Consulate. This process of verification easily takes between 8 to 12 weeks.

You will have to be patient while waiting for this visa. As said on the official website, “regular status inquiries during the first three months after submission of your application will not be answered”.

Document Submission for Family Reunion Visa

One important thing is health insurance , and you need to get appropriate cover before applying for any German visa.

You will have to book an appointment at an appropriate German Mission. It is important to make sure all your papers and documents are in order before taking them to the appointment.

Prepare two identical application sets consisting of copies of the above-mentioned documents and take all your original certificates along. Do not staple any documents, take them in a folder instead.

In case a document is not set up in German or English, you will have to submit it together with a notary attested English translation.

German Missions may ask for additional documents or, in rare cases, further investigations of certificates. Additional fees would be charged in these cases.

Further information regarding documents is given at the end of the Family Reunion checklist for spouses and children . Here are instructions to book an interview appointment once you have all your documents ready.

Sample Letter for Visa Application for Family: Free & Effective

In this article, I’ll share a step-by-step guide on how to write a compelling visa application letter for your family, including a customizable template to get you started.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the purpose of the visa application letter.
• Include specific details about your family member and their reason for traveling.
• Follow a clear, professional format.
• Provide evidence of your relationship and support.
• Use a personalized template for a strong start.
• Check for any country-specific requirements.
• Proofread and revise your letter for clarity and accuracy.

Understanding the Purpose

First, it’s important to understand the purpose of a visa application letter. This document serves as a formal request to the embassy or consulate, explaining why your family member wishes to travel to a specific country.

It should clearly outline their intent, duration of stay, and reasons why they should be granted a visa.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Gather Information : Before you start writing, collect all necessary details about your family member, including their full name, date of birth, relationship to you, and the purpose of their trip.
• Start with Personal Details : Begin the letter with your personal information: name, address, and contact details. Then, introduce the family member for whom you’re writing the letter.
• State the Purpose of the Trip : Clearly explain why your family member wants to visit the country. Be specific about the nature of the trip, whether it’s for tourism, visiting relatives, medical treatment, or education.
• Provide Trip Details : Include information about the trip duration, accommodation plans, and any itinerary details.
• Evidence of Relationship and Support : Attach proof of your relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates) and your commitment to support them financially during their stay if applicable.
• Closing Remarks : Conclude the letter by respectfully requesting the embassy or consulate to grant the visa, expressing your gratitude for considering the application.

Formatting Your Letter

• Use a formal and professional tone.
• Keep it concise – not more than one page.
• Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
• Ensure correct spelling and grammar.

Template for Visa Application Letter for Family

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[Embassy/Consulate Name] [Embassy/Consulate Address]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to support the visa application of my [relation], [Family Member’s Name]. My [relation], born on [date of birth], is planning to visit [destination country] for [purpose of visit] from [start date] to [end date].

During their stay in [destination country], they will be staying at [address in destination country] and plan to [briefly outline itinerary]. I have enclosed the necessary documents to support their application, including [list of documents].

I kindly request you to consider [Family Member’s Name]’s application for a [type of visa] visa. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

[Your Signature (if sending a hard copy)] [Your Printed Name]

Country-Specific Requirements

• Research any specific requirements or formats preferred by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
• Some countries may require additional documentation or specific information in the letter.

Proofreading and Revising

• Thoroughly proofread the letter to avoid any errors.
• Check if all the necessary information and documents are included.

Writing a visa application letter for a family member is a thoughtful process. A well-crafted letter can significantly impact the outcome of the visa application.

Remember to personalize your letter to reflect the unique circumstances of your family member’s trip.

Your Feedback

I hope this guide and template help you in writing your family visa application letter. If you have any personal experiences or additional tips to share, please leave a comment below. Your insights could be invaluable to others going through the same process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What should I include in a visa application letter for my family?

Answer: In my experience, it’s essential to include the purpose of the visit, the length of stay, and the relationship with the family members accompanying me. 

I also mention where we will stay and our plans to return to our home country. Providing evidence of financial stability and ties to our home country helps strengthen the application.

Q: How do I prove my relationship with my family members in the visa application?

Answer: In my case, I provided birth certificates, marriage certificates, and recent family photographs. Sometimes, additional documents like joint bank statements or family registration records can also be helpful.

Q: Should I include details about my job or business in the visa application letter?

Answer: Absolutely. I always include details about my employment or business, such as the nature of the job, salary, and leave approval for the trip. This information demonstrates my financial stability and intent to return.

Q: How important is it to detail the travel itinerary in the visa application letter?

Answer: It’s quite important. I make sure to outline our travel plans, including flight details, accommodations, and an itinerary of activities. This shows that we have a well-planned trip and a clear intention to return.

Q: Is it necessary to mention previous international travels in the visa application letter?

Answer: Yes, I believe it helps. I usually mention my past international travels, especially if I have a history of compliance with visa regulations. This can demonstrate trustworthiness and reduce concerns about overstaying.

Q: How should I address financial support for the trip in the letter?

Answer: I clearly state who will be financially responsible for the trip. If I am sponsoring my family, I include my bank statements and employment details. If someone else is sponsoring, I attach their invitation letter and financial documents.

Q: What tone should I use in the visa application letter?

Answer: Professional and concise. I keep the tone formal but friendly, ensuring that all the necessary information is presented clearly and politely. Avoiding unnecessary details helps in keeping the letter focused and effective.

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Sample hardship letter for immigration for a friend: free & effective, letter to support a visa application templates, email asking for visa sponsorship sample, how to ask for visa sponsorship in cover letter (with sample), good moral character letter for citizenship sample: free & effective, sample of letter of support for visa application: free & effective, leave a comment cancel reply.

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How to get the France family reunion visa

Is reuniting with your family abroad your number one priority if you relocated without them?

Maybe you needed to settle first and make sure your situation would be adequate for your loved ones. Maybe you wanted to wait until the end of the school year for your children to join you. 

For many different reasons, expats choose the France family reunion visa for their spouse and kids to join them after.

There are a few things you need to know before deciding to relocate separately . 

This post will also help you navigate this lengthy process and put all the chances on your side for your family to get their visa.

Table of Contents

What is the France family reunion visa?

Some facts about the france family reunion visa.

A family reunion is one of the first motives for immigration into the EU according to a report from the European Commission¹. In 2017, 472,994 people were admitted to EU soil for this reason. This represents 28% of the first request resident permit emitted. In France, according to the 2019 French Ministry of the Interior statistics, 12,066 France family reunion visas were granted.

Who does it apply to?

It applies only to non-EU citizens (both the person already in France – the applicant – and the joining family members), except non-EU citizens in the below situation as specific processes apply:

• 10-year residence card permit holders ( Resident longue durée-UE )
• Talent passport permit holders
• Seconded-employees ( Salarié détaché )
• Apatrides or refugees (family reunification process)

Exceptions:

Most non-EU citizens’ family reunion process is based on the Ceseda². However, some countries signed specific bilateral agreements with France that completed the Ceseda and introduced some changes. 

This mainly applies to African countries that were ex-French colonies (Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Central Africa, Congo-Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia).

Also, the bilateral agreement with Algeria³ overwrites the Ceseda and is the only reference applicable to Algerian citizens.

Which family members can get it and how?

In France, the family reunion process applies only to married spouses and under-aged children. Other relatives such as unmarried spouses or parents cannot come to France under the family reunion status ( le regroupement familial ).

There are two steps for the family reunion request: 

1- The authorisation request from France from the initial visa holder

2- The entry visa request for the joining family at the French consulate abroad

The France family reunion visa requirements

For the initial visa holder.

The expat that relocated initially must meet three requirements. They are the condition to get the family reunion authorisation from the French Prefecture before the family members can request the visa are:

• Stability of residence in France: the initial visa holder must have a valid residence permit for a duration of a minimum of 12 months AND have resided legally in France for a minimum of 18 months before submitting the France family reunion visa request at OFII .
• Sufficient income (does not take into account any subsidies the family may get⁴):

Provide decent housing for the family meeting the legal requirements of decency and size ⁵ based on family size :

Zone A bis et A : Paris and many cities of Ile de France, Cote d’Azur and near the Swiss border

Zone B1 and B2 : Many cities of more than 50 000 people, other cities of Ile de France, Corsica, seaside cities or near borders.

Zone C : The rest of the country

Type of housing accepted as an example:

• Rentals under your name or your employer’s (social rentals requests will not be approved by social housing landlords without the family already residing in France)
• Sublet, with the owner written approval
• Free accommodation
• Owned property
• House-share

For the joining family members

The joining spouse must meet specific requirements to be able to apply for the France family reunion visa:

• The spouse must be over the age of 18 (at the time of the OFII file submission)⁶
• You must be married under the official marriage local process
• Same-sex spouses can apply since the 17 May 2013 French law, even if their marriage was contracted abroad before that date as long as it was recognized as an official marriage in this country.

In January 2021, 29 countries authorize same-sex marriages:

TIP : The marriage may have been contracted in France during a short stay of the future spouse while the initial permit holder was already residing in France. Mademoiselle Guiga from Expat in France

The children

The joining children must also meet specific requirements to be able to apply for the France family reunion visa:

• Children must be under the age of 18 (at the time of the OFII file submission) ⁶
• Adopted children should be adopted under the local legal filiation
• Can be the child of either of the two spouses (initial visa holder and/or joining spouse) as long as the legal parental authority is recognized

Family members already residing in France are excluded from the family reunion process⁷, apart from some exceptions.

The France family reunion process

The authorisation request at ofii, prepare your documentation⁸, translations and legalisations.

The authorisation request should be done in France by the initial permit holder wanting his/her relatives to join in France. 

Some documents can be long to obtain and to be legalised, so it is advised to start preparing your file before meeting the 18 months stable residence criteria. 

The French administrations require some legal documents established by foreign entities or administrations to be apostilled or legalised. In either case, this stamp certifies that the document is official. Some countries have bilateral agreements preventing their citizens from the need for apostille or legalization.

Make sure the apostille or the legalisation is required for every document listed in this post for your country. Check out the Recap legalization table attached . On page 1, the documents that require apostille or legalisation are listed and on page 4, the information per country:

• D for Dispense : Exemption
• L for Legalisation : Legalization required
• A for Apostille: Apostille required.

The best would be to have your file ready when you reach the 18-month duration if possible in your situation. Unfortunately, it is common to have extended delays in the family reunion authorisation from the Prefecture.

You should submit your family reunion request at your local OFII ( Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration ) with the following documents ⁸:

• The filled cerfa form nº11436*05 including the Annexe with the backup documents provided with the request ticked

Valid resident permit of the initial permit holder or the renewal request receipt ( récépissé de demande de renouvellement)

All the original documents established in another language than French must be provided together with French translations by a sworn translator by a French court of Appeal)

Proofs of civil status

• Marriage certificate and
• Birth certificates for every applicant (mentioning parents)

Proofs of resources

You should provide your joining spouse proof of stable income only if this income will still be received while in France.

If employed: 

• work contract (or an employer attestation)
• payslips covering the 12 months before the request submission date
• last tax assessment (less than 12 months old), when the period of residence in France allows one to have one
• your last tax declaration 

If self-employed:

• Every possible documentation should be provided (accounting documents, invoices…)

Students Even though students are not ruled out from the France family reunion visa process, it is often difficult for them to meet the income requirements as they are allowed to work part-time only.

Other incomes are taken into account (any documents proving these incomes should be provided):

• Replacing incomes is also taken into account: social security daily payments (indemnités journalières), unemployment benefits
• Saving interests are taken into account but not the savings themselves.
• Payments done by third parties spontaneously (such as family members’ support) may be rejected as they are often not considered stable, even though they may be regular and sufficient.
• Child support paid regularly
• retirement pension
• unearned income

Sources of income not accepted

• Payments from relatives or friends (they are not considered a stable income)
• Savings, however, the interest on the savings are accepted

Proofs of residence⁹

You need to provide proofs of residence regarding the property where the family will reside, such as:

• Rental contract
• Property deed
• Agreement to sell
• Any other documents attesting to the characteristics of the property and the date of availability
• If you already reside in the property: an energy bill (dated under 3 months) such as electricity, gas, water, and landline phone, Internet in your name. 
• If you have not moved into the property meeting the housing requirements stated above: Cerfa form nº 11438*5 filled in by the owner, seller or builder of the property.

Other documents are required depending on the situation

An accompanying letter explaining your situation is especially needed if:

• the accommodation or resources requirements are not fully met
• it is a partial family reunion (if a child or the spouse is not joining)⁹
• if you already have other family members living in France 
• if you have an adopted child: the adoption decision (it will be verified by the public prosecutor)
• when the family reunion is requested for children whose one parent passed away or lost parental authority: a death certificate or judicial ruling
• if a child is under the parental authority of only one of the parents (in case of separation for example): a judicial ruling of the parental authority AND an official approval according to the local legal forms of the other parent stating the agreement to relocate to France
• if one of the two spouses requesting the family reunion is from a country where polygamy is legal: a sworn statement certifying that the family reunion in France will not create a situation of polygamy in France, and the divorce ruling(s) if applicable

Once you submit your complete file at OFII , you will be provided with a file submission attestation by postal mail. The date on this attestation is taken into account to:

• calculate the age of every family member at the time of submission and if the criteria explained previously are met (for example if your child is just before 18 at the time of the request, this is her/his age on the day stated on the attestation that will be taken into account along all the process).
• calculate the 18 months of stable residence in France by the initial applicant
• From that date, the Prefecture has 6 months to rule ¹ ⁰ on the family reunion request

Unfortunately, many Prefectures (especially Paris and the big French cities) do not respect this 6 month period and can even take a year depending on the Prefectures.

In order to avoid these very frustrating delays, it is recommended to have recourse to the law within two months following the six months deadline. The judge will request the Prefecture to respond to the family reunion request.

The administrations’ inquiries following the request at OFII

The french town hall and ofii.

Once your submission request has been validated under the form of the submission attestation, several administrations will take action before you receive the decision.

First, the town hall ( Mairie in French) of your residence (where you will reside with your family) will verify your proof of housing and income. The Mairie can decide to have further verifications done on this property and ask OFII to visit it with prior authorisation of the occupant.¹¹

They can also contact the DIRECCTE for further information if you have an employed position. The town hall has two months to give its advisory response on the proofs of housing and income to OFII . The OFII will give its decision on these two criteria to the Prefecture.

The French consulate abroad

OFII also informs the French consulate of your joining family members’ country of residence about the ongoing family reunion request. 

The French consulate has the authority to check the civil status certificates provided as well as the confirmation that the family indeed resides in this country. 

The consulate will then provide the confirmation to the Prefecture via the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Prefecture ruling

The Prefecture will double-check all the elements received by OFII , the town hall and the French consulate. They will also check the initial applicant residence validity.

The Prefecture will inform the applicant as well as OFII and the Consulate of its decision on the request. If it is rejected, the Prefecture must notify in writing the motive. The applicant has 2 months to contest the Prefecture’s decision in front of the Administrative Court. On average the Prefectures ruling time on family reunion request are between 9 to 12 months despite the 6-month legal duration .¹²

The France family reunion visa request abroad

The long-stay visa request.

Every family member (the spouse and under-aged children) must request an entry visa under the family reunion process in France.

The visa request can be submitted at the French consulate of your family country of residence once you have received the OFII submission attestation.

The visa costs €99 per applicant. This amount is not refunded in case of rejection. It is strongly recommended to keep all proof of payments with the date of the ṕayment in case of a future appeal.

The long-stay visa request documents

• A copy of the OFII submission attestation
• OR if the visa request is done after receiving the Prefecture’s approval: a copy of the Prefecture family reunion authorisation
• The civil status documents as stated above for each family members

The verification of the civil status documents can be lengthy. Therefore it is recommended to submit the visa request shortly after receiving the OFII submission attestation.

The consulate can start the verification and will give the visas only after receiving the Prefecture’s approval. The consulate may call in the family members within 2 months if they have questions when verifying the documentation provided.

In case of any doubt on the civil status documents (authenticity, legalisation, translation,…) the visa can be rejected. This is usually the main Consulate rejection motive when the Prefecture gave its approval.

Your family arrival in France

Arrival within 3 month.

Congratulations! You have gone through a lengthy and difficult administrative process and you managed to have your family join you!

From the start date of your family visa, they have 90 days to travel to France. 

This is important not to miss this date, since the entire request will be cancelled if they don’t travel on time.

The spouse visa

The spouse will be given a VLS-TS Vie Privée et Familiale (Spouse long-stay visa as a residence permit – Visa Long Séjour – Valant Titre de Séjour ). The process of the Vie Privée et Familiale should be followed after the arrival in France and for the following renewals.

The visa must be validated into a residence permit online within 3 months after arriving in France as explained in this article about the Vie Privée et Familiale status . You will be required to pay a tax of €250 to validate the spouse visa.¹³

The children visa

The children will be given a VLS Regroupement familial (family reunion long-stay visa). Children under the age of 18 do not have a residence permit unless they want to work from the age of 16. To do so, they will need to request a permit.

If your child is over the age of 18 at the time your family moves to France, he or she will be given a VLS-TS (Long-stay visa as a residence permit – Visa Long Séjour – Valant Titre de Séjour ).

It will need to be validated the same way as the spouse visa.

Every family member (even under-aged children) coming to France under the family reunion process will have a medical visit (explained in the Vie Privée et Familiale post stated above).

The medical certificate provided by OFII should be kept carefully . It is the only proof of admission in France under the family reunion process for children under 18 since they do not have a residence permit.

Between the time you have initially moved to France and the time your family can join you if everything goes smoothly with no delays at any stage, there will be a minimum of two years and two months .

You must be prepared for a longer process . So, it is important to take this into account before you move to France without them. It will be easier and faster to request a visa for them at the same time as you.

Sometimes, there are no other ways and having all the information on your side will help you navigate this challenging process.

[1] Report dated 29 March 2019 from the European Commission

[2] Ceseda: art. L.411-1 to 431-1 and art. R 411-1 to 431-1

[3] Franco-Algerian agreement from 27 December 1968

[4] Ceseda, art. L. 411-5

[5] Ceseda art. R.411-5

[6] Ceseda, art. R.411-3

[7] Ceseda, art. L. 411-6

[8] Ceseda, art. R. 421-4

[9] Ceseda, art. R. 421-3

[10] Ceseda, art. L.421-4 and art. R.421-8

[11] Ceseda, art. L421-15

[12] GISTI (Groupe d’Information et de Soutien des Immigré.e.s) – Le regroupement familial – 4th Edition – Jan 2020

[13] Ceseda, art.D. 311-18-1

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Hi, I’m trying to join my girlfriend and children in Réunion. I came back to the UK last year in August and want to leave the UK and re-join my family.

I am unsure what visa i need as it’s all a bit confusing and there aren’t many who seem they can point me in the right direction.

It says we can go up to 90 days without a visa, can I apply for residencey while I am there?

Mademoiselle Guiga

Hi Tom, The Family reunion does not apply to unmarried spouses or parents unfortunately. Under whose adult visa your children are currently staying in La Reunion? I’m not sure I understand your situation. Also, a visa is requested ALWAYS outside of France (entry visa) and a residence permit is requested in France (La Reunion) to be able to REMAIN in France, considering that you have entered France with the correct visa. There is NO possibility to switch a short-stay 90-day visa into anything when in France (La Reunion). So this is recommended to request the visa that matches your situation (work, study, visitor…). I hope this clarifies.

Hello, first of all, thank you so much for your insightful articles.

I am a Korean national, interested in getting married in France with my partner who’s residing in France. Both him and I, are non-EU nationals, so I believe, in our case, a french spouse visa doesn’t apply.

We both want to get married in France and I am planning on traveling to France and getting married in August or September this year.

Could you please tell us what are the exact procedures or the documents we need to prepare? Is it possible for me to get married on a short-term visa? or do I have to travel to France, request for marriage, come back to my home country, and request a specific visa?

Another concern is that the visa that I will be obtaining (if I obtain), will this grant me to work in France?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Hello Jinny, Thanks for your message. You will find the answers to your questions in this other post: https://expat-in-france.com/french-spouse-visa/ All the best to you,

Hi, can you tell me where can I find the info about family reunion for EU blue card/Passeport-Talent Famille situation. My Wife is holder of such a residence permit and I would like to join her (we are both Non-EU/EAA/Swiss). Is it the same procedure? How do I get benefits from the Passeport-Talent Famille? Do we apply at different place?

Hello, I’m not sure I understand your question. If your spouse is currently in France under the EU blue card – Talent passport, you can request the Talent-Passport Familly visa to join her. You do not need to have requested it at the same time as her (opposed to other non-talent passport visas). On the France-visas site, you will just need to select the ‘Famille accompagnante bénéficiaire passeport talent / ICT (Majeur)’ which I think is translated as “accompanying family member of a talent passport holder (adult)”. Best,

Hi, I am an international student, applying for study visa in france. I am also applying for my family (Spouse, child).

I see as an internation students are allowed to work part time, how about my spouse ? Can she look for full time job or she is not not at all allowed to work ?

Hello, The spouse of a student visa holder can request a visitor visa that does not authorise to work. The visitor visa should be requested at the same time as the student visa in France-visas. If your spouse has another motive (study, work), she can request her own student or applicable work visa. Best,

Does the same process apply for non-EU citizen with 10-year residence card permit to get the spouse to France?

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Family reunion for spouses.

Please make sure that you present all the documents applicable as per the checklist when taking your appointment at VFS Global/ the competent German Mission. Failure to do so may result in our inability to process your application and you having to book a new appointment.

Please prepare two identical application sets consisting of copies of the above-mentioned documents and bring all your original certificates along. Please DO NOT staple any documents.

In case a document is not set up in German or English, it has to be submitted together with a notary attested English translation.

These are the documents necessary to make a complete application:

• Valid passport , issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least another year as of date of visa application; passports with observations regarding name, date of birth, place of birth and sex cannot be accepted; passport must have at least two empty pages
• application form , completed online with VIDEX , printed out twice and both forms duly signed by you
• 2 identical passport photos according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
• Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information - duly completed & signed
• Additional questionnaire - duly completed & signed
• Copy of the first and last page and all pages containing entry stamps/visas of your passport (A4 size copy)
• Copy of the first and last page/ data pages and all pages containing entry stamps/visas of your spouse’s passport (A4 size copy) - If your spouse is a German citizen , the passport copies can be substituted by 2 copies of front and back of her/his current German ID (Personalausweis).
• If applicable, copy of spouse’s residence permit ('Aufenthaltstitel') Please note: This is not necessary if you apply for a visa at the same time as your spouse.
• If applicable, Certificate of residence (' Meldebescheinigung ') of the spouse living in Germany, not older than 6 months Please note: This is not necessary if you apply for a visa at the same time as your spouse going to Germany as a skilled employee. If you wish to move to Germany at the same time as your German spouse or with a spouse that is self-employed: Please hand in a rental contract/lease deed, a booking for temporary serviced apartment or hotel accommodation or an invitation that includes a (temporary) residential address.
• Proof of marriage: a) if the marriage was performed according to the Hindu Marriage Act : - Marriage registration certificate - Temple or Gurudwara or Priest certificate - Conversion certificate, if applicable - Several photographs showing that the essential rites have been performed (i.a. Pheras, Saptapadi/ Anand Karaj) b) if the marriage was performed according to Sharia Law : - Marriage registration certificate - Nikahnama - Conversion certificate, if applicable - Several photographs (i.e. bridal couple signing the Nikahnama, Qazi, witnesses) c) if the marriage was performed according to Special Marriage Act ('Court Marriage', 'Civil Marriage') - Certificate of Marriage according to Section 13 Special Marriage Act - Photographs of marriage or function d) if the marriage was performed according to the Christian Marriage Act : - Marriage registration certificate, if Compulsory Registration Marriage Act is in force - Marriage certificate issued by licensed Church - Conversion certificate, if applicable - Photographs of marriage or function e) if the marriage did not take place in India or in Germany : marriage certificate with apostille/ legalization, if applicable
• Birth certificate issued under the “Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969”
• School certificate : matriculation certificate or Middle School Board Certificate or school leaving certificate including the date of birth
• Proof of Residence in India : Aadhaar Card or Ration card of the applicant covering the past 4 years or Voter’s ID; if you are a foreigner residing in India: visa / residence permit for India
• If applicable: Divorce judgement and decree of all former marriages of both spouses , German divorce judgement with “Rechtskraftvermerk”, which confirms that the judgment is final
• If applicable: Death Certificate of former spouse
• Proof of German knowledge (A1 level): 'Start Deutsch 1' from Goethe-Institute or 'Start Deutsch 1' of telc GmbH (The European Language Certificate) or 'Grundstufe Deutsch 1' of the Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD) Please note: If your spouse applies for a visa, is a holder of a visa or holder of a residence permit with one of the following purposes of stay: - Blue Card EU , § 18g AufenthG - Employment visa /residence permit according to §§ 18a or 18b AufenthG - Niederlassungserlaubnis gem. § 18c Abs. 3 AufenthG - Forscher / Researcher gem. § 18d AufenthG, mobiler Forscher gem. § 18f AufenthG - Employment according to § 19c Abs. 1 AufenthG or § 19c Abs. 2 AufenthG - ICT Card Holders - Self-employed according to § 21 AufenthG you are exempt from the requirement to show proof of knowledge of German. A further exemption could possibly be granted if you have an academic degree that will give you good employment opportunities in Germany. If think that applies to you, please hand in your university degree with your visa application. For further information please refer to ' Information of German language requirement ' although that leaflet was last updated March 2023 and does not yet reflect the most recent changes as indicated here. The information on other possible grounds for exemptions besides the ones noted here is still accurate. If y our spouse is a German citizen, the exemptions for specific residence permits indicated above do not apply you, even though your spouse might have a similar job. Also, the exemption for spouses of EU citizens does not apply to spouses of German citizens. A German version of the information leaflet on the German language requirement can be found here

For MUMBAI/KOLKATA/CHENNAI only – Please present the following additional documents: Invitation letter of spouse, spouse’s employment contract, spouse’s salary slips of the past three months. Please note that the German Missions reserve the right to ask for additional documents or to initiate a further investigation of certificates, for which additional fees would be charged. Click here to find out about the charges for the verification.

Processing times Processing times for applications of family reunion visa vary greatly. If you apply for a visa at the same time as your spouse or within six months of your spouse’s visa application and you spouse intends to go to work in Germany as a highly skilled employee (generally speaking in any of the categories indicated above under the heading “proof of knowledge of German” under the exemptions besides self-employed or holder of a “Niederlassungserlaubnis”), a visa could be issued within a few working days after a complete application was made. In all other cases, your application will also be forwarded to the competent immigration authorities in Germany, processing will take at least three months. If a verification of your documents is necessary, this will lengthen the processing time by approximately two to three months.

Please ensure that you have family health insurance through your spouse. Until family coverage has been established you might want to take a travel health insurance ( here you can find information on which travel health insurances are accepted).

Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.

Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a visa interview will delay your application and may result in the rejection of your application.

Download the information for family reunion as a spouse as pdf

Download the information for family reunion as a spouse of a German citizen as pdf

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