Germany

How To Get A Germany Dependent Visa

The Germany dependent visa is also known as the Family Reunion visa. As the name suggests, this visa allows dependents of a German/ EU citizen or dependents of a foreigner residing in Germany to join them in Germany. Read on to find out more about this visa.

Read: Why and How to Migrate to Germany

Who needs a Germany dependent visa?

Not everyone who is not a German citizen needs a dependent visa to visit Germany. You do not need a visa if:

You hold a Schengen passport
You have a Schengen residence permit
You hold a passport from a country that has a visa-free agreement with the Schengen nations
You have a valid Schengen visa

Situations where you need a Germany dependent visa include:

You are a citizen of a country that does not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen nations
You hold a passport from a country that has a visa-free agreement with the Schengen nations but have been barred from entering Germany on an earlier occasion

Read: Everything You Need to Know About the EU Blue Card

Who can bring their family to Germany on a dependent visa?

To obtain a dependent visa, the person living in Germany must meet the below criteria.

He/she must be a German/ EU citizen OR hold a residence permit/EU Blue Card / EU long-term residence permit
He/she must be over the age of 18 years
He/she must be fluent in German
He/she must be capable of providing financial support for the dependent

Who is eligible for a German dependent visa?

The spouse or registered partner
Minor children
Adult unmarried children (only in certain cases)
Parents of minors
Siblings
Other relatives (only if the visa is needed to prevent hardship)

Documents required for a Germany dependent visa

In addition to a copy of the application form that has been filled and signed by you, you will also need the following supporting documents.

Valid passport
2 Biometric passport sized photographs
Copies of the first and last pages of your passport
Copies of any earlier Schengen visas you have been granted
Schengen travel insurance of at least €30,000
Flight itinerary
Proof that the sponsor can financially support the applicant
Proof of accommodation – the sponsor must be able to prove that his/her home has enough space for the applicant.
Copy of the sponsor German/ EU citizen’s passport
Proof of relationship with the German/ EU citizen

Also, minors need to submit:

Proof of adoption/ Birth certificate
Custody decree in case the parents are divorced
Death certificate if one of the parents is no more
A signed letter of consent from both parents
Copy of both parent’s passport

Biometric passport photo requirements

One of the most common reasons for a visa to be denied is because the applicant’s photograph does not match the prerequisites. Ensure that your photograph meets the below criteria.

The applicant’s face must take up 70-80% of the frame
No shadows or other objects/people must be visible in the photograph
The photograph must be clear, well-lit and well-focused
The photograph must be taken against a neutral grey background
The applicant’s eyes must be open and looking straight into the camera
Head coverings of hats are usually not permitted. In the case of exceptions for religious reasons, the face must be clearly visible from the forehead to the chin

Applying for a dependent visa

The visa can be applied for 6 months in advance of your intended date of travel. The latest an application can be filed is 2 weeks before the trip.

Once all the documents have been collected, you can submit the application with supporting documents at a German consulate, German embassy or visa center.

The visa application typically takes a few weeks to be processed. This may be extended if additional documents are required.

The dependent visa fees

If the applicant is the spouse or a minor child of a German/ EU national, there is no fee. Other relatives and adult children of German/ EU citizens must pay a €75 visa fee. This is non-refundable.

Visa validity

In case the visa is issued to a spouse/ child or a foreign national in Germany, the visa is valid for as long as the sponsor is in the country. Once in Germany they must apply for a residence permit.