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If you’re an international student in Germany, there is the possibility of bringing your family with you. To have your spouse and/or your child(ren) join you while you study in Germany, you need to meet some requirements and have a residence permit.

What Is the German Family Reunion Visa?

The German Family Reunion (Reunification) Visa (Visum zur Familienzusammenführun/Familiennachzug) allows non-EU/EEA family members (spouses, minor (unmarried) children) to join an international student in Germany who holds a residence permit.

The visa is designed to keep the family unit together, under the condition that Germany is your main place of residence as a student.

Who Needs a German Family Reunion Visa to Join You During Your Studies?

Apart from citizens of the European Union (EU), Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, anyone wishing to join a student in Germany must get either a visa or a residence permit.

Nationals from some countries listed in the table below can enter Germany without a visa but must get the appropriate residence permit once they arrive.

Nationals of any other country need to apply for a German Family Reunion Visa to join their student family member in Germany.

Citizenship	Family Reunion Visa Requirement
Citizens of the EU, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland	Don’t need a visa (Freedom of movement).
Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America, the United Kingdom	Don’t need a visa to enter Germany, but have to apply for a residence permit upon arrival.
Citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino	Don’t need a visa to enter Germany and have to apply for a residence permit upon arrival. However, they need a visa if they intend to work in Germany.
Citizens of any other country	Need a visa.

Which Family Members Can Apply for a German Family Reunion Visa?

These family members can join students in Germany who hold a residence permit:

• Spouse/civil partner
• Children under the age of 16
• Children over the age of 16 and under the age of 18
• On very rare cases, other family members such as:
  • Biological/adoptive parents of their child residing in Germany.
  • Adult children who wish to join their parents in Germany.
  • Minor children who want to reunite with adult close family member(s) in Germany.
  • Other close family members such as siblings, nieces and nephews, etc.

Prerequisites to Get a German Family Reunion Visa

These are the essential conditions that you (the sponsor) and your family members must meet for the Family Reunion Visa:

General Requirements for Sponsors

As a sponsor, you must meet these requirements so your family members who are third-country nationals can join you in Germany:

• Valid residence permit in Germany.

• Sufficient living space. You should allocate about 12 square meters for each adult and 10 square meters for each child under the age of 6 (babies up to 2 years old not included).

• Adequate health insurance. You can use family insurance to cover your family members as dependents. As proof, you can show your insurance policy and a letter stating your family member will be added once they arrive.

• Financial security. You should be able to cover all your family’s living expenses without relying on public funds. How much money you need depends on your family’s size and living circumstances. The Foreigner’s Office (Ausländerbehörde) evaluates this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

Spouses

There are some additional conditions that you and your spouse (husband or wife) have to meet for them to join you:

• Both you and your spouse must be at least 18 years old.
• Your spouse must prove basic German skills (A1 level) through a test or an interview at the embassy (EU or partner country citizens exempt; ).
• You should be married before getting your German Student Visa. For same-sex partners, your relationship should be officially registered before receiving the visa.

Children

Your child who is under 16 can join you in Germany without having to meet any other requirements. This also applies to children who are older than 16 if they relocate within six months of you moving to Germany.

However, if they are 16 or older (but under 18 years old) and wish to come to Germany after this six-month window, they must either:

• Prove C1 level (CEFR) German language proficiency through a recognized language certificate, or
• Prove they can easily adapt to life in Germany, for example, attendance of a German-speaking school outside of Germany or growing up in a German-speaking home.

Parents and Other Family Members

Other family members such as your parents, siblings, nieces or nephews, and so on, may join you in Germany only to prevent significant hardship. This is much more difficult to prove, so cases are evaluated individually and such family members very rarely get the family reunion visa.

Some circumstances that could qualify these family members to join you in Germany include:

• Needing family support due to illness, disabilities, or psychological needs.
• Situations where family care can only be given in Germany, such as for special care needs.
• Well-being and care needs of minor children, depending on their age and situation.

For such cases, we recommend seeking legal advice, as circumstances allowing family reunions in Germany vary and are complex.

How to Apply for a German Family Reunion Visa?

The first step to get started on the Family Reunion Visa is to book an appointment, which is usually . The family member who plans to join you must find the nearest and follow their instructions on the appointment process and documents needed.

After getting an appointment, they must start preparing all required documents. They must submit them and attend a visa interview on the date of the appointment.

When they arrive in Germany, they have to apply for a German residence permit at the local Foreigner’s Office (Ausländerbehörde) within the first three months. They need to submit many of the same documents they needed for the visa along with proof of current residence in Germany.

Note: Some countries (for example Pakistan) have a very high demand for German visa appointments, which could mean waiting up to a year only for the appointment. Your family member should book their appointment as early as possible to avoid delays in the application process.

Visa Requirements for the German Family Reunion Visa

There are unique requirements for each family member who plans to join you in Germany through the Family Reunion Visa. Let’s go over each requirement for them:

Required Documents for Your Spouse

Your spouse joining you in Germany must submit these documents:

• Applicant’s valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and minimum one-year validity) + A4 size copy of your passport’s data pages
• Fully completed, signed, and printed
• Signed
• Completed contact information form (find it in the forms section)
• Two/three recent biometric photos ()
• Birth certificate
• Proof of financial means (provided by the spouse or yourself)
• Copy of spouse’s valid German residence permit
• Copy of spouse’s passport’s data pages
• Certificate of residence (Meldebescheinigung) of the spouse living in Germany (no older than six months)
• Proof of marriage (birth certificate, marriage contract, and marriage certificate/registration)
• Proof of A1-level German knowledge (“Start Deutsch 1” from Goethe-Institute, “Start Deutsch 1” from telc GmbH, “Grundstufe Deutsch 1” from the ÖSD)
• Travel health insurance valid for 90 days (recommended)
• Visa application fee (€75)

In the case of previous marriage(s), they also need to submit the following documents:

• Divorce decree of former marriage(s), or
• Death certificate of former spouse(s)

Required Documents for Your Child

If your child will join you in Germany, you must include these documents for their Family Reunion Visa application:

• Applicant’s valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and minimum one-year validity) + A4 size copy of your passport’s data pages
• Fully completed and printed , signed by all persons with parental rights
• Signed
• Completed contact information form (find it in the forms section)
• Two/three recent
• Birth certificate
• Proof of financial means (provided by the parent)
• Copy of parents’ valid German residence permit
• Copy of parent’s passport’s data pages
• Certificate of residence (Meldebescheinigung) of the parent(s) living in Germany (no older than six months)
• Proof of parents’ marriage (birth certificates, marriage contract, and marriage certificate/registration)
• Travel health insurance valid for 90 days (recommended)
• Visa fee (€37.50)

In the case of a child(ren) coming to Germany without the other parent:

• The parent in Germany must prove sole custody with a custody order, or 
• The parent remaining in the home country must sign a declaration of consent in person at the German Mission in their country

In the case of a child(ren) aged 16 or 17 years old joining you in Germany:

• Proof of C1-level German knowledge (language certificate from Goethe Institut, ÖSD, telc language schools, TestDaF or ALTE)

Required Documents for Your Parent or Other Family Member

Bringing other family members to Germany is much more difficult, so we recommend talking to a lawyer or embassy representative for guidance.

You first need to figure out if they even qualify to join you based on their circumstances, since proving significant hardship can be tough—especially with you being on a student visa.

Important

Any of the documents your family members submit during the visa appointment must be translated into German or English by a certified translator or notary.

The German Embassy may also ask for additional documents to support their applications. If your family member fails to submit them, it can cause delays or even rejection of their visa.

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of requirements tailored to your situation, we recommend contacting your local German embassy or consulate.

What Is the Processing Time for a German Family Reunion Visa?

Family Reunion Visas for Germany can take more time to process than other visa applications. As a guideline, it can take up to several months (usually three) depending on the location and workload of the embassy/consulate processing the application.

For family members who only need a family reunion residence permit at the Foreigner’s Office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany, processing usually takes between one to three months. But, this can vary as well depending on workload. Large cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich often experience higher numbers of requests compared to small towns.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a German Visa for Family Members?

The fees for Family Reunion Visa applications are as follows:

• Adults (18 years and older): €75.00
• Children (under 18 years): €37.50

Fee waivers. Spouses and children of German/EU citizens and parents of German/EU minors are exempt from visa fees. In these cases, applicants must include a copy of the marriage or birth certificate and the German/EU passport of the family member.

Payment method. Fees must usually be paid in cash and in the local currency (card payments are sometimes available).

Can a Family Member Work on a Family Reunion Visa in Germany?

Yes, once they’re settled in Germany, your family member can work in Germany without any restriction on job type or working hours. 

This means that once your spouse (or other family member) receives their residence permit from the local foreigners authority, they can take up employment in Germany. 

When Should I Apply for an Extension of a Family Reunion Residence Permit in Germany?

We recommend scheduling an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office) between six to eight weeks before your residence permit expires. 

The volume and processing time of requests can vary from one German Foreigner’s Office to another, so be patient when it comes to receiving the permit. 

If you need to travel outside of Germany, you can ask them to issue a Fiktionsbescheinigung  (fictional certificate) that is valid until you get your permit.

Is Bringing My Family to Germany on a Student Visa Difficult?

Bringing your family to Germany on a student visa is not impossible, but often really challenging for reasons such as:

• Your income as a student is limited because you can only work part-time. Students in Germany can only work part-time during term time, so your income is quite limited. It’s often not enough to cover suitable housing and other expenses such as health insurance for your family members.
• Being a student requires time and dedication. Bringing your family to Germany is time-consuming and will be hard to juggle alongside student responsibilities.
• It can take time for your spouse to find a job in Germany. If you’re relying on your partner’s additional income when they come to Germany, this may complicate your financial situation. It’s not a given they can find a job fast, especially if they don’t speak German.

What Are Some Alternatives to the German Family Reunion Visa?

If your family member is a third-country national who needs a visa to enter Germany, they can apply for a Schengen Visa to visit you occasionally as an alternative.

They can also check if they qualify for and come to Germany independently.

Another option is to wait until you finish your studies and find a job in Germany. When you find a job, you’ll be able to earn more, which makes it easier to support your family members in coming to Germany.