Residence permit for family reasons extension for other family reunification to a German

If you belong to the group of other family members of a German and your stay in Germany is still necessary to avoid exceptional hardship, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit for family reunification.

If you wish to continue to reside in Germany as a third-country national family member of a German in order to avoid exceptional hardship, you must apply for an extension of your residence permit in good time before it expires.

For the extension of the residence permit, the same requirements must be fulfilled and the same documents must be presented as for the initial issuance of the residence permit

The residence permit is a temporary residence title and is usually extended for at least one year.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issuance of the residence permit. That is:

• You have the citizenship of a state outside the EU or the EEA.
• The person you are joining has German citizenship and usually resides in Germany.
• You still belong to the group of other family members of a German, i.e. you are neither his spouse nor a minor unmarried child. Other family members include, for example, adult unmarried children, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, foster children. Fathers of natural German children who are not married to the mother are also eligible.
• Furthermore, there is a special case of hardship, for example, because your German family member is dependent on your help due to illness, disability or need for care.
  Please note: Unfavorable conditions in your home country do not constitute a case of hardship.
• Your subsequent immigration still serves the purpose of establishing a family community with the German (e.g. shared apartment). In the case of a spatial separation only due to work and education or a support or care community due to accommodation in a care facility, a family life community can also be affirmed if you maintain regular contact with the German, which goes beyond a mere visit.
• You can continue to secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage without claiming public benefits.
  Please note: In the case of family members who are minors, this requirement does not have to be met.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany

• Appeal against the decision of the foreigners authority within one month of notification
• Action before the court named in the notice of appeal if the appeal is not granted

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to submit the application online or provides a special application form.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one representative at the personal appointment. If the custodial parent cannot appear in person, a written power of attorney for the application must be provided.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents, originals if possible, to the appointment).
• If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence title (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• When extending the residence permit, the foreigners authority may waive the requirement of "securing subsistence" in the case of family members of full age.
• The residence permit entitles the holder to pursue gainful employment.
• They are not entitled to an extension of the residence permit. The foreigners authority has a discretion (a margin of judgment) whether to grant family reunification.
• The procedure at the Foreigners Authority is usually conducted in German.
• All information given to the Aliens' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief, so that the request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.