Aufenthaltserlaubnis für den Nachzug von sonstigen Familienangehörigen zu einem Deutschen beantragen

If you belong to the group of other family members of a German citizen and your stay in Germany is necessary to avoid exceptional hardship, you can apply for a residence permit for family reunification.

As another family member of a German citizen, you can obtain a residence permit for family reunification if your stay in Germany is necessary to avoid exceptional hardship.

The residence permit is a temporary residence permit and is usually issued for at least one year. You can have the residence permit extended on application.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Visa, if this was required for entry
• Proof of the family relationship
• Justification of the exceptional hardship
• 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 are a national of a country outside the EU or the EEA.
• The person you are joining has German nationality and usually resides in Germany.
• You belong to the group of other family members of a German, 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 a particular 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 to establish a family relationship with the German national (e.g. shared accommodation). If you are only separated for professional or educational reasons or if you are living in a care facility, a family relationship can also be established if you maintain regular contact with the German national that goes beyond mere visits.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover for the duration of your stay without claiming public benefits.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Fee::

• EUR 100.00 for adult applicants
• EUR 50.00 for underage applicants

Remark:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The time and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may apply (e.g. for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals.

• 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 submitted 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 an 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.

approx. 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing times:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload at the immigration office.

The production of the electronic residence permit by the Bundesdruckerei takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

Application deadline: 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The extension should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid residence permit expires.

The residence permit is a temporary residence title and is issued for at least one year. An extension must be applied for at the Foreigners' Registration Office in good time before the expiry date.

• You are not entitled to a residence permit. The immigration authority has discretionary powers (scope for judgment) as to whether to grant family reunification.
• The residence permit entitles you to pursue gainful employment.
• The procedure at the Foreigners' Registration Office is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Foreigners' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that your application can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to the person concerned. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the revocation of previously granted residence rights, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

• 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; issuance for other family reunification with a German national
• Family members of Germans who can obtain a residence permit for "other family reunification" include all third-country national 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 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 granted 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.
• Living expenses (including health insurance) must be covered from own resources for the duration of the stay. Living expenses can also be covered by third parties.
• 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.

Forms available: No
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance necessary: Yes