German Family Reunion Visa
The German Family Reunion Visa provides an opportunity for your family members or partner to join you in the country. If you are residing in Germany and wish for your child, spouse, or other family members to join you, you must apply through this visa. To obtain a parental reunion visa for immigration to Germany, you need to demonstrate that you have the financial means to support those who wish to join you.
The current fee for this visa is €75 per adult. Additionally, it should be noted that the family reunion visa can be converted into a Residence Permit, which can also facilitate the immigration process for other family members. Continue reading as we delve into more details about the family reunion visa or spouse reunion visa in Germany.
Parental Accompaniment for Immigration to Germany
According to the new family reunion law in Germany, parents living in the country can apply for a visa to reunite their children. Additionally, if one parent has custody of the child, they can use this visa to bring their child to Germany. This recently implemented law aims to support the growth of immigrant families in Germany, and such a law did not exist before.
This law is not limited to child reunification; children can also bring their parents to Germany. If you have German residency, you can bring your parents to the country through this process. However, certain conditions must be met, including:
- The ability to cover living expenses for yourself and your family;
- Having suitable accommodation for family reunification in Germany;
- Providing health insurance for the parents;
- The parents must have at least basic knowledge of the German language (A1 level).
These changes in the family reunion law and German family visa represent an important step in supporting the cohesion of immigrant families and facilitating their living conditions in Germany.
Parental Accompaniment for Immigration to Germany Based on New Regulations
The German Family Reunion Visa provides an opportunity for your family members or partner to join you in the country. If you are residing in Germany and wish for your child, spouse, or other family members to join you, you must apply through this visa. To obtain a parental reunion visa for immigration to Germany, you need to demonstrate that you have the financial means to support those who wish to join you.
The current fee for this visa is €75 per adult. Additionally, it should be noted that the family reunion visa can be converted into a Residence Permit, which can also facilitate the immigration process for other family members. Continue reading as we delve into more details about the family reunion visa or spouse reunion visa in Germany.
Parental Accompaniment for Immigration to Germany
According to the new family reunion law in Germany, parents living in the country can apply for a visa to reunite their children. Additionally, if one parent has custody of the child, they can use this visa to bring their child to Germany. This recently implemented law aims to support the growth of immigrant families in Germany, and such a law did not exist before.
This law is not limited to child reunification; children can also bring their parents to Germany. If you have German residency, you can bring your parents to the country through this process. However, certain conditions must be met, including:
- The ability to cover living expenses for yourself and your family;
- Having suitable accommodation for family reunification in Germany;
- Providing health insurance for the parents;
- The parents must have at least basic knowledge of the German language (A1 level).
These changes in the family reunion law and German family visa represent an important step in supporting the cohesion of immigrant families and facilitating their living conditions in Germany.
Advantages of Family Reunification Under New Work Immigration Laws
Parent Reunification Law for Immigration to Germany
The parent reunification law for immigration to Germany, based on the new work immigration laws, has been approved by the country's parliament. This law allows individuals who intend to immigrate to Germany under the new work immigration regulations to include not only their immediate family (spouse and children under 18) but also the parents of both the main applicant and the applicant's spouse in their reunification list. After immigrating, they can invite these family members to live in Germany.
This law was passed in June 2023 with 388 votes in favor, 242 against, and 31 abstentions, creating a significant opportunity for those interested in immigrating to Germany. These changes will greatly impact the support of families and facilitate their migration to Germany.
Conditions for Parent Reunification with Children in Germany
The German reunification visa has specific conditions, requiring that the resident child in Germany holds a residence permit. When the resident child is a minor, the conditions for family reunification become more complex. In this case, parents must prove their ability to care for and supervise their child.
Therefore, individuals who have immigrated to Germany and reside there can apply to bring their parents to Germany to start a family life there. To do this, the child must provide the necessary documents to the German government and prove that bringing the parents is essential for their care due to the parents' inability to live independently. The application and approval process for this type of family reunification visa is similar to other types of visas and can be time-consuming.
Required Documents for Parental Visa Sponsorship
Gathering the necessary documents for each type of sponsorship visa in Germany is crucial. The required documents for parental visa sponsorship for immigration to Germany are as follows:
- A valid passport issued within the last 10 years with at least 2 blank pages.
- Correctly and completely filled application form.
- Declaration.
- A biometric passport photo taken within the last 3 months.
- Copy of the passport information page.
- Proof of residence, such as a utility bill, rental agreement, or driver's license.
- Original marriage certificate.
- Copy of the passport of the German spouse, child, or fiancé.
- German language certificate with at least A1 level.
- Housing documents in Germany including a full address like a rental agreement, hotel reservation, or invitation letter.
- Copy of the inviter's passport.
- Invitation letter issued by the resident in Germany.
Important Notes:
- The German embassy reserves the right to request additional documents during the visa processing whenever deemed necessary.
- Submitting the required documents to the embassy does not guarantee a visa approval.
- Paying attention to these details and correctly completing the documents plays a crucial role in the success of the family visa application.
Process of Applying for Parental Visa Sponsorship
The process of applying for a parental visa sponsorship for immigration to Germany includes several important steps as follows:
1. Ensure that all family members are eligible for this visa.
2. Collect and translate the required documents for the visa application.
3. Book an appointment at the German embassy or consulate. Prepare all required documents by the appointment time to submit them completely.
4. Visit the German embassy or consulate at the scheduled time and arrive at least 15 minutes before the appointment.
5. Submit the documents according to the checklist provided by the German embassy. Ensure that the documents are not stapled.
6. Pay the processing fee for the German sponsorship visa (€75 per person). This fee is non-refundable if the application is denied and may need to be paid in cash or by credit card depending on the embassy's policy.
7. Successfully complete the embassy interview. This interview typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes and includes questions about your personal background and travel purpose.
8. Wait for the embassy’s response. This process may take approximately 3 months.
9. After receiving your passport and German visa, prepare for your journey to Germany.
Important Points About Parent Reunion Laws and Regulations
Some important points about the laws and regulations regarding parent reunion include the following:
- Legal Residence in Germany: You must have at least legal permission to reside in Germany.
- German Citizenship: If you are a German citizen, your family may find it easier to enter the country; however, they must be able to speak German fluently.
- Suitable Housing: You must have suitable accommodation for yourself and your spouse in Germany.
- Study Residence: If you are pursuing studies, your study period must be at least one year.
- Financial Means: You must have sufficient budget to cover your own and your family's living expenses without government support.
- Student Financial Support: If you are a student and your family wants to join you, you must prove that you can financially support them. According to current laws, this amount is approximately €11,208 annually.
- Minimum Income: There is no specific amount for minimum income; however, you generally need at least €500 per month for each family member.
- Suitable Job: You must have a suitable job to qualify for a family Schengen visa.
- German Citizenship: Individuals with German citizenship can bring their families more easily to the country and do not need to prove financial means. However, your family must be familiar with the German language.
Processing Time and Issuing Parent Reunion Visas
Booking an appointment at the embassy for a parent reunion visa to Germany, similar to other German visas, may take several months. Additionally, depending on the circumstances of each family member, visa processing and issuance may take up to 3 months or more. Therefore, all applicants must plan accordingly to ensure a smooth immigration process.
Costs and Expenses Related to Parent Reunion
The usual cost of a short-term German visa is €80, and the cost of a long-term visa is €75. Regarding the parent reunion visa to Germany, the cost of a long-term visa is €75 for adults and €35 for children under 18 years old. To process the visa application, you must pay the corresponding fee at the time of the interview to proceed to the next steps. The cost of the visa varies depending on the type of visa chosen. Generally, German visas are cheaper compared to visas of countries like the USA.
Please note that if you decide to withdraw your visa application for any reason after paying the fee, the visa fee will not be refunded to you. Also, if your visa application is rejected, no fees will be refunded to you. If you decide to reapply for a German parent reunion visa after withdrawal or rejection of the application, you must pay the fee again and go through all the steps of obtaining the family visa from the beginning.
Successful Experiences in Parent Reunion to Germany
Successful experiences in parent reunion to Germany show that you can bring your parents under certain conditions. The experiences indicate that for success in this path, parents must be entirely dependent on you. On the other hand, you must receive health insurance for them in Germany, and if they want to stay in Germany permanently, travel insurance is not sufficient, and they must receive permanent health insurance, which is, of course, expensive.
To obtain a residence visa for parents, if parents want to obtain permanent residence in Germany, they must learn the German language and reach at least level B1 in German. Also, they must be able to integrate well into the community, and you must have enough income to support and protect them.
How to Prepare and Translate Documents Required for Parents' Reunification
The process of preparing and translating documents required for parents' reunification in Germany is similar to the steps for translating documents for other German visas. Initially, it's important to know that the German government in each country maintains an updated checklist of the documents required for obtaining each type of visa.
1. Request the checklist from the German Embassy: Begin by requesting the checklist from the German Embassy or by visiting the embassy's website to obtain the necessary checklist. This checklist includes all the documents required for visiting the embassy.
2. Prepare documents according to the checklist: Prepare and gather all the documents as described in the checklist. Your documents must be in English or German. If the documents are issued in your native language and not in German, you must provide them along with a translation done by a certified translator to be accepted by the embassy. It's better to present the documents in German from the beginning.
3. Schedule an interview: Once fully prepared and having all the documents in hand, schedule an interview session at the German Embassy. Remember to arrive on time on the day of the interview and bring all your documents.
4. Pay the visa fee: Afterward, you must pay the visa fee and make sure to receive the receipt. Show this receipt during the interview with the consulate officer.
Rights and benefits of parents after joining their children in Germany
One of the most significant benefits of joining children in Germany is the possibility of full-time employment. The good news is that Germany has provided a flexible framework allowing immigrant parents to work full-time in Germany.
After being granted residency rights, immigrant parents can have any type of job in Germany. This is especially beneficial for families seeking higher income. After finding a job and obtaining a work contract, immigrant parents must inform the Foreigners' Registration Office in Germany (Ausländerbehörde).
In most cases, if immigrant parents (holders of German family reunion visas) meet the requirements for obtaining the EU Blue Card, they can apply for it. These facilities and flexibilities in German immigration laws provide numerous job opportunities for immigrants and will help improve the economic situation of families.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the visa for parents' reunification for immigration to Germany. To obtain this visa, a resident in Germany must demonstrate the ability to financially support and maintain their family members by providing documents and evidence. After assessing eligibility and meeting requirements, the reunification visa will be issued. Individuals immigrating to Germany with this visa will have the right to live, study, and work in the country.
Although immigration with a German family reunion visa may seem straightforward, this process is usually time-consuming within the German immigration system and may take longer than some individuals can bear. Therefore, alternative routes such as obtaining a student visa, job seeker visa, etc., are recommended for these individuals. In general, parents' reunification in Germany provides a suitable opportunity for reuniting with loved ones and makes life easier for immigrants in Germany; however, it requires patience and careful follow-up of documents and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parent Reunion in Germany
1. What is a German Parent Reunion Visa?
The German Parent Reunion Visa, or Family Reunion Visa, allows family members or partners of an individual residing in Germany to join them and enables family reunification in Germany.
2. How much does it cost to obtain a German Parent Reunion Visa?
The fee for obtaining a long-term visa is 75 euros for adults and 35 euros for children up to 18 years old.
3. What is the most important requirement for obtaining a German Parent Reunion Visa?
The most important requirement is that the person residing in Germany can financially support their relatives; meaning they must be able to cover your living expenses in Germany.
4. How long is the validity of a German Parent Reunion Visa?
Residence permits for family reasons are usually issued for a maximum of one year, but it can be extended for the entire period the family continues to live together.
5. How long does it take to obtain a German Parent Reunion Visa?
Generally, the process of obtaining a visa for spousal reunion in Germany takes several months (minimum of 3 months) until the final decision is announced.
