Aufenthaltserlaubnis aus familiären Gründen Verlängerung für sonstigen Familiennachzug zu einem Deutschen

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

The same requirements must be met and the same documents submitted for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit

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

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of means of subsistence (e.g. from own assets, payment of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, declaration of commitment)
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy).
• For minors: Consent of all persons with custody rights to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody rights cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has custody rights, the signature of this parent is sufficient

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Immigration Office may require less or further proof.

You may have to provide the immigration authority with further proof of the family relationship and a justification of the exceptional hardship case

In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial issue of the residence permit. This means that

• You are a citizen of a country outside the EU or the EEA.
• The person you are joining has German nationality and usually resides in Germany.
• You still belong to the group of other family members of a German national, i.e. you are neither their spouse nor an unmarried minor child. Other family members include, for example, unmarried children of full age, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, foster children. Fathers of biological German children who are not married to the mother are also eligible.
• There is also a special case of hardship, for example because your German family member is dependent on your help due to illness, disability or need of care.
  Please note: Unfavorable circumstances in your home country do not constitute a case of hardship.
• The purpose of your reunification is still to establish a family relationship with the German national (e.g. shared accommodation). If you are only separated for work or training reasons or if you are living in a support or care community due to accommodation in a care facility, a family cohabitation can also be affirmed if you maintain regular contact with the German that goes beyond mere visits.
• You can continue to secure your livelihood and health insurance cover without claiming public benefits.
  Please note: This requirement does not have to be met for family members who are minors.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany

• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but need a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one representative at the personal appointment. If the parent with custody is unable to attend in person, a written power of attorney must be provided for the application.
• Your identity and documents will be checked during the appointment (please bring your documents to the appointment, in the original if possible).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. After completion, you will receive information and can collect the eAT card from the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a notice of rejection.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification
• Legal action before the court named in the objection notice if the objection is not upheld

• Residence permit for family reasons Extension for other family reunification with a German national
• In principle, the same requirements must be met for the extension of the residence permit as for the initial granting of the residence permit.
• Family members of Germans who can obtain a residence permit for "other family reunification" include all third-country family members who are not spouses or unmarried minor children (e.g. unmarried adult children, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, foster children). Fathers of biological German children who are not married to the mother are also eligible.
• Residence in Germany must also serve to establish and maintain the family relationship (e.g. shared accommodation). A spatial separation only for professional and educational reasons or a support or care community due to accommodation in a care facility is also permitted.
• The residence permit must be issued in order to avoid exceptional hardship (e.g. special care needs that can only be provided in Germany). For example, unfavorable educational, economic, social and other circumstances in the home country do not constitute a case of hardship.
• You must continue to cover your living expenses (including health insurance) from your own resources for the duration of your stay. The means of subsistence can also be provided by third parties. This requirement does not have to be met for family members who are minors.
• If the applicant has not yet reached the age of 18, their legal guardians must consent to their stay in Germany.
• The residence permit is usually issued for at least one year.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.