Bringing Your Family to Germany on a Student Visa.
As a non-German studying in Germany, you’re allowed to bring your family members to live with you at least during the study period, but, both parts must meet some requirements.
What Is the German Visa for Family Reunification?
German visa for family members of foreign students is a residence permit that entitles your non-EU/EEA family members to come and stay in Germany, while you’re completing a study course on the basis of a German Residence Permit “Aufenthaltserlaubnis for study.
Who Needs a Family Reunion Visa to join you during your studies here?
To join you in Germany on a family basis, while you’re studying here as a foreign student, qualifying family members whose nationality is of a country outside of the EU/EEA, require a German Reunion Visa beforehand they travel, taken from a German embassy or consulate of the country they live.
Which Family Members Can Apply for a German Family Reunion Visa?
The following members of your family have the eligibility to join you in Germany while you’re studying here:
⦁ Spouse (husband, wife).
⦁ Minor child.
⦁ Parent.
Preconditions to Get a German Family Visa
The following basic preconditions must be met for the purpose of bringing the qualifying family members in Germany, while you’re studying as a foreigner:
⦁ Sufficient Living Money. You must possess ⦁ enough financial resources to cover the living costs of yourself and of any joining relative. Such money should cover the entire period of stay in Germany, and you must not rely on Germany’s public funds.
⦁ Adequate Living Place. You won’t be able to bring your relatives if you fail to have the right space in Germany to accommodate yourself and any joining family member.
⦁ Marriage Requirement. The marriage with you’re the spouse to join, should have happened before you’ve obtained the ⦁ German Student Visa.
⦁ Civil Partnership Requirement. You must have registered your relationship with your joining same-sex partner before you’ve received the German Student Visa.
⦁ Age Requirement.
The joining partner and you must be aged at least 18 when they apply for the family visa. If your parent is applying for a family reunion visa to join you, you must be a minor in need of care.
If your child is seeking to join you in Germany, they must not be aged more than 16. If your joining child is aged 16, they must be in possession of sufficient German language proficiency for an easier integration here.
⦁ Language Requirement. Your spouse won’t be able to make a successful reunion visa application if they don’t have the right command in German language, equal to at least A1 level of the CEFR. A child aged 16 – 18 can join you if they have a German language command of the minimum C1 level of the CEFR.
⦁ Dependence. Your parent can join you only if you are in need of their care during your studies here as a minor. A child joining you in Germany, on the other hand, must not have a separated family unit in Germany, and must intend to live in the same home with you in Germany.
⦁ Residence Period. Your relatives can only join you if you’ve a German residence permit for a study course lasting at least 1 year.
⦁ Civil status. A child joining you while studying in Germany must not be married, divorced or widowed.
⦁ Custody rights. For a child joining, you should have a custody rights over them.
How to Apply for a German Family Visa?
There are two ways you can make an application for a German Family Reunion Visa, depending on which is your current location.
Application for the Entry German Family Visa from Abroad
For entering the Federal territory of Germany on family grounds, as a visa national foreigner, you’re required to make an application for an entry German Family Reunion Visa, early enough from your travel date.
The visa application from abroad must be addressed to the German consular service in your country of residence.
To apply, you’ve to book an appointment through the official webpage (online booking system) of the consular service in your respective country of residence.
On the visa appointment day, you’re expected to supply the complete documents for visa application, in the required quality and format.
As a part of an application, you will be sitting in an interview season where you’ve to answer a set of personal questions and related the reasons you’re applying for the visa.
You may also be required to provide additional evidence after this date.
Application for the German Residence Permit on the Family Basis in Germany
In the initial 3 months of your arrival in Germany, you must confirm your right of residence, by applying for a German Residence Permit. This should be done at the German Foreigner’s Authority of the district in Germany where your permanent address is.
The application process for a residence permit comprises of submitting most of the documents you’ve already submitted on getting the entry German Family Visa, together with the evidences for your current residence in Germany.
Visa Requirements for the German Family Reunification Visa
The required documents to apply for a German family reunion visa are:
⦁ 2 Long-Term German Visa Application Forms (Duly filled-out). They’ve to be duly completed and properly signed by the relative applying for the German family visa (except for your minor child – you or the other parent must sign the form).
⦁ 2 Signed Security Questionnaires. They must be signed by the joining relative, as an approval of such applicant for their visa document to be verified by the appropriate German authorities.
⦁ 2 Signed Applicant’s Declaration. It must be signed by the joining family member as a form to confirm the authenticity of the provided information.
⦁ Valid Passport of Your Joining Relative. It must be accompanied by 2-3 copies of the passport ID page, as well as entry/exit stamps’ pages, together with the visa/residence permit pages.
⦁ 2-4 Photographs of Your Joining Relative (passport-size).
⦁ 2 Copies of Your Valid National Passport Data Page. They must be supplemented by 2 copies of the passport pages which contain your entry/exit stamps, visa and residence permits held over the past 2 years.
⦁ 2 Copies of Your Current German Residence Permit.
⦁ Personal Cover Letter by your relative (If applicable). In the letter, your family member should explain their motives of joining you in Germany and for how long they plan to stay here.
⦁ Hospital registration number of your child’s birth (if applicable).
⦁ Proof of Custody Rights over Your Child. This requirement only applies if your underage child will join you alone, while the other parent remains in the home country.
⦁ Court certificate showing that you’ve the sole/joint custody rights (if you’re divorced with the other parent of your child).
⦁ Custody order inside the divorce decree.
⦁ Custody decree.
⦁ Paternity recognition certificate “Vaterschaftsanerkennung”.
⦁ Letter of consent from the parent remaining in the home country (if the other parent is still married to you).
⦁ Evidence of Your Consent for Your Child to Join You.
⦁ Your letter of consent regarding your child’s visa application to join you (signed by you).
⦁ Matriculation Certificate of Your Child. It has to be obtained the current school of your joining child, not earlier than 14 days from the application date.
⦁ All of Your Child’s School Certificates.
⦁ Nursery Records of Your Child.
⦁ Names and Contact Details of the Educational Institutions Attended by Your Joining Child.
⦁ Proof of Your Relationship with the Other Parent of Your Child. These evidences should display what your current relationship with the other parent of your joining child is. Any of the following:
⦁ Your valid marriage certificate.
⦁ Your valid partnership certificate.
⦁ Divorce judgment and decree.
⦁ Proof of Death of the Other Parent of Your Child (if applicable).
⦁ Death certificate of your former partner.
⦁ Proof of German Language of at Least C1 Level of Proficiency (for a child aged 16-18).
⦁ German language certificate. Showing that your child has knowledge in German language on C1 level – higher of the CEFR.
⦁ Old Pictures of You and Your Child as Well as of the Entire Family (if required).
⦁ Names and Contact Details of the Remaining Family Members of Your Child in the Home Country.
Required documents for your parent:
⦁ Proof of Your Parent’s Relationship with You.
⦁ Your full birth certificate.
⦁ Your adoption certificate.
⦁ Proof of Paternity of Your Parent over You.
⦁ Acknowledgment of paternity certificate.
⦁ Certificate of marriage of your parents.
⦁ Proof of Custody Rights of Your Parent over You (If your parents are divorced). Any of the following:
⦁ Proof of joint custody rights.
⦁ Proof of sole custody rights.
⦁ Documents Confirming Identity of Your Joining Parent.
⦁ Birth certificate of your joining parent.
⦁ Matriculation certificate of your parent.
⦁ School-leaving certificate of your parent.
⦁ Proof of Residence of Your Parent in the Home Country (if applicable). Any of the following:
⦁ Valid national ID Card.
⦁ Voter’s ID.
All the documents in foreign language must be translated into German, with an apostil or confirmation of authenticity.
The documents to apply for a German Family Reunion Visa are commonly prone to undergo a verification process which lasts about 6-8 weeks. The process is carried by the Foreigner’s Authority in Germany.
What is the processing time for a German Family Visa?
It takes at least 3 months for an entry German Family Reunion Visa to process.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a German Visa for Family Members?
To apply for an Entry Family Reunion Visa you’ve to pay a fee of 75€ (adults) and 37,5€(minors).
The application fee for initial application for a Residence Permit on the family grounds costs 56-100€ (adults), 28-50€ (minors) and 28.8€ (Turkish nationals).
Extension of the Family Reunion Visa in Germany costs 49-96€ (adults), 24.5-48(minors), and 28.8(Turkish nationals).
Can a family member of a foreign student work in Germany?
Yes. Holders of a German family visa can get a paid job in Germany if they have the right age and qualification for the job.
When Should I Apply for an Extension of a Family Reunion Residence Permit in Germany?
The application to renew a German Family Reunification Residence Permit should happen minimum 4-6 weeks beforehand the existing residence permit’s period exceeds.
⦁ Non-academic language course studies. A course lasting 3 – 12 months, with at least 18 hours of lessons in a week. The course must not be aimed to prepare you for further academic studies.
⦁ Pre-academic measures. A course lasting more than 3 months, aimed to prepare you for full-time academic studies.
⦁ Pre-academic German language courses. Participation on a preparatory course before sitting any of these recognized tests before studies must be a university prerequisite before your final admission in studies.
⦁ Preparatory foundation course ‘Studienkolleg’ studies. The course has to prepare you for the qualification test ‘Feststellungsprüfung’. By passing this test you must expect to obtain a recognized university entrance qualification ‘Hochschulzugangsberechtigung’. (This applies if your foreign high-school leaving certificate is not recognized in Germany).
⦁ Propaedeutic course studies. These courses must offer language and academic skills and specific knowledge regarding the education system and methodology in Germany. They must be held by the education provider you’ll be studying at.
⦁ Partaking in a mandatory preliminary internship. Participation in an internship must be a precondition for admission in the study program, i.e. at the University of Applied Sciences.
⦁ University degree awarding studies. You must have received the confirmation for admission in studies from a recognized higher education provider here. This is relevant for studies leading to a recognized higher education degree, such as Bachelor (BA, BSc, BSEng), Master (MA, MSc, MEng), or PhD.
A university admission confirmation letter is a written confirmation that verifies that you’ve been accepted as a student. The confirmation letter usually contains the following information:
⦁ Details of the education provider. The one you’ve been admitted to study.
⦁ Acceptance reply card. You’ll be required to confirm you accept the offered place for studying. This is done by replying to the university admission office with a signed card.
⦁ Enrollment deadline. Dates within you should register as a student.
⦁ Exam dates. When the German language test or university preparatory entrance examination will be held. (If conditionally admitted).
⦁ Details about the orientation day. A day when new students are informed about the university’s premises and activities.
What’s the university conditional admission confirmation letter?
It’s a decision taken by the university admission office after you apply, but that conditions you to complete a few more requirements before you become a student of that university officially.
This may usually include participation in preparatory measures and/or passing specific pre-academic tests.
What’s the University Entrance Qualification (HZB)?
Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) is one of the key documents you need to apply for admission at a German higher education provider. It confirms the equivalence of your foreign education certificate with the German Abitur.
If your earlier education doesn’t qualify as equal to a HZB, you’ll have to undertake a test for recognition. This is relevant only if you also meet other university admission requirements.
The recognized German language certificates for studying at a German university are any of the following:
⦁ TestDaF level IV. For having passed the TestDaF, Test of German as a Foreign Language for Foreign Students in all sections.
⦁ DSH Certificate II or III. For having passed the DSH test, the German Language Test for Admission of Foreign Student Applicants.
⦁ Assessment test at the end of institutional preparatory classes.
⦁ DSD Certificate of level II. Language diploma of the permanent conference of ministers for education and culture affairs, level II.
⦁ Goethe Certificate C2. For having passed the Goethe Test of level C2.
⦁ Telc Deutch C1 or B2 Hochschule Certificate. For having passed the Telc C1 or B2 Hochschule tests.
To prove proficiency of English language, send any of the following certifications below::
⦁ Official Score Report of TOEFL Test. The required scores: IbT-88, Pbt-66.
⦁ Official Score Report of IELTS Test. Sent directly or to you by the British Council. The required group score in the IELTS Academic must be 6.5+.
⦁ Cambridge Advanced English Certificate A, B, or C. Together with Cambridge Proficiency English Certificate A, B, or C.
⦁ Alternative forms are exceptionally accepted.
Keep in mind that certain universities can have their own language proficiency requirements and not all language test and scores are accepted.
It’s the official document that your university/other HEI where you’ve previously studied at issues, showing all grades received during studies. It has to be signed and sealed.
It’s a document issued by the relevant national ministry of education or similar national authority for recognition of an education provider or/and study program. By having this document you can confirm that your qualification is received by a state-approved provider.
Notarization (also known as authentication) means that photocopies of your original documents must hold the official seal and authentic signature of the relevant authority.
The rule is irrelevant for signatures, certifications, and verifications provided in digital form
Konnect Vision Int.
NEW LINKS
CATEGORIES
SUBSCRIBE
Get monthly updates and free resources.
SHARE THIS PAGE!