Germany Dependent Visa ( German family reunification visa )

If you want to move to Germany to join a family member or spouse, a German family reunification visa will allow you to live and work in Germany.

If you are a citizen from the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA; EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland, you don't need a residence permit to enter and work in Germany – but any family member who is not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland will need to apply for a German residence permit.

As a EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you will need a valid passport or ID card, and you have to register with the residents' registration office within three months of entering the country.

Who are qualified for it?

·         Must be an enlisted accomplices

·         Spouses

·         Children

Documents for Dependent Visa:

·         Must have a substantial visa

·         Have to deliver a proof of the visa expense installment

·         Proof of reason for visit must be created

·         Children’s need to deliver birth endorsement

·         Must deliver the verification of the marriage declaration

·         Proof of convenience

·         Proficiency in the German dialect

These are the above qualification criteria and also the prerequisites for the Dependent Visa..

Information on German knowledge requirement - only important for family reunion

Since Germany has amended its law relating to foreigners in 2007, visa applicants are required to present evidence of basic knowledge of the German language in the event of family reunion of spouses. However, under certain circumstances, there are exemptions from this requirement, such as for spouses of EU passport holders, of Blue Card holders and of other highly skilled workers, scientists etc.

Spouses

If you're joining your spouse (married or civil partner), you must both be over 18 years old and you must have basic German language skills – unless, that is, your spouse fits one or more of the following categories:

·         has an EU Blue Card,

·         is in Germany as a researcher,

·         is a highly qualified person, or

·         is self-employed.

If so, there's no age requirement nor do you need to speak any German.

If your relative was granted their residence permit as a student, employee or a self-employed person while you were married (or civil partnered), then as long as you fulfill the other requirements and plan to stay in Germany for more than one year, you can get a residence permit. If you got married after your spouse was awarded a residence permit, you have to wait until your spouse has had the permit for two years before you can apply.

Children

Children under 16 can join their parents without fulfilling any conditions but if the child is between 16 and 18 years old, and not married/divorced/widowed, he/she will need to be either fluent in German or be able to integrate easily into German society (as judged by the German embassy/consulate processing the application) in order to get a residence permit for family reunification.

If the parent holds a Blue Card, a settlement permit or a residence permit for humanitarian purposes, then the latter requirements do not apply.

When you arrive in Germany

You will need to register every family member with the residence registration office and the Aliens Authority. When you go, you'll need to take along your passports and other documents relating to your own situation, for example, birth certificates, a marriage certificate or civil partnership documentation, salary slips, tax certificates and tenancy agreements.

Partners and relatives – who can work?

You can work in Germany if the relative you are joining holds a residence permit authorizing employment themselves, an EU Blue Card, or is in Germany as a researcher or a highly skilled person.