Reunification for family reasons (other family members) - apply for a residence permit

If you want to join your foreign minor child in Germany, you can obtain a residence permit for family reunification

As the parent of a minor foreigner, you can obtain a residence permit if you come from a country outside the EU or the EEA and your child is a citizen of a country outside the EU and the EEA.

In addition, you should want to establish or continue a family partnership with the child in Germany (a family cohabitation usually exists if you live with the child in a shared apartment).

Furthermore, the child living in Germany should:

• a residence permit as a resettlement refugee, recognised asylum holder or refugee, or
• a settlement permit for international, humanitarian or political reasons

and your presence in Germany is required because no other parent with custody is in Germany.

The residence permit for the subsequent immigration of the parents to a minor child is a temporary residence permit. It is issued for the duration of the residence permit of the minor child in Germany. If the residence permit of your minor child living in Germany is valid for less than one year, your residence permit will also be issued for this shorter period.

Under certain circumstances, the Foreigners' Registration Office may oblige you to attend an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.

• for the issuance of a national visa before entering the Federal territory: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
• after entry: the immigration office in whose district you usually reside.
  Immigration authorities in Hesse are district administrators and mayors of the district-free cities and the district-affiliated cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.

Tip: A list of the representations of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad is available from the Federal Foreign Office on its website.

• Valid passport or passport substitute
• Current biometric photo
• Visa, if this was required for entry
• Proof of custody of the child to whom the reunification is to take place
• Birth certificate of the minor child to which the reunification is to take place
• Residence permit of the minor child in Germany to which the reunification is to take place
• Current registration certificate

In individual cases, the Foreigners' Registration Office may request further documents.

• Online procedures possible in some cases

• Written form required
• Personal appearance required

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and, if required for entry - an appropriate visa.
• Your child has not yet reached the age of 18.
• Your child is staying in Germany unaccompanied by a parent with custody.
• Your child has a residence permit as a resettlement refugee, a recognised person entitled to asylum or a recognised refugee or a settlement permit for humanitarian, political or international law reasons.
• There is no interest in expulsion against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

An appeal against a decision of the immigration authority may be lodged with the administrative court named in the decision within one month of notification of the decision. The action may be filed in writing, in electronic form and for record.

The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the immigration authority and concerns, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your immigration authority offers the electronic application for a residence permit.
• If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT).
• In the event of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you upon receipt of your online application in order to make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office if necessary. During the appointment, your certificates will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the eAT.
• If your application is granted, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• The eAT must always be picked up in person.
• Fees apply for the issuance of the residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

• The residence permit should be applied for no later than eight weeks before the expiry of your valid visa or current residence permit or – if you are legally staying in Germany without a visa – within 90 days of entry.
• Time limit for bringing an action: 1 month

about six to eight weeks.

Issue of residence permit: EUR 100.00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or exemption may be considered.

Hints:

• Additional fees may apply for the issuance of the residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit, which can also be used as an electronic proof of identity.
• The timing and form of charging and payment vary depending on the authority.