Aufenthaltserlaubnis für den Nachzug von sonstigen Familienangehörigen zu einem Deutschen: Verlängerung beantragen

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

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.

If necessary, you must provide the immigration authority with further proof of the family relationship and a justification of the exceptional hardship.

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, i.e. you are neither their spouse nor a minor unmarried 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 case of particular 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 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 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 endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Additional fees may apply for the issue of a new 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 in which fees are charged and paid 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 Foreigners' Registration 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 relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a notice of rejection.

(for span): approx. 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Note for further information on the processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of 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 of the residence permit must be applied for before the validity of the current residence permit expires. The application should be received by the Foreigners' Registration Office at least six to eight weeks before the residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

In the case of an extension, the residence permit will be issued for at least one year.

• When extending the residence permit, the immigration authority may waive the requirement of "securing a livelihood" for family members of full age.
• The residence permit entitles the holder to pursue gainful employment.
• You are not entitled to an extension of the residence permit. The immigration authority has discretionary powers (scope for judgment) as to whether to grant family reunification.
• The procedure at the immigration authority is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the immigration authority 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; 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 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.
• 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.

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