Family reunification
This route allows the spouse or minor children of a person legally residing in Germany to join them. The family member in Germany must generally have sufficient income and accommodation.
Specification reviewed on
Required documents
The list below is exhaustive. Each document is described as it must be submitted, including the most common errors that lead to rejection.
Identity
Biometric passport photographs
You must provide three recent passport photographs that meet biometric standards. They must be less than 6 months old, be taken against a white background and not have been digitally altered.
Common errors
- Photographs that do not meet biometric standards (size, background, facial expression) or are more than six months old will be rejected.
Passport
The applicant's passport must be signed and valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of travel. It must have been issued less than 10 years ago, contain at least two blank pages and not be damaged. You must provide the original and two copies of all used pages, including previous visas.
Common errors
- A passport with insufficient validity or which is damaged is not acceptable. Failure to provide copies of previous visas may render the case incomplete.
Marriage certificate
You must present the original marriage certificate, along with one or two copies. Egyptian or Syrian public documents must be legalised, certified and accompanied by a translation into German or English. For a marriage in Egypt, the detailed certificate must be provided, with the spouses' photographs on the first page.
Common errors
- A certificate that is not legalised or not translated will be rejected. For Egyptian marriages, the non-detailed version of the certificate is not accepted.
Extract from the family register
You must provide a recent extract from the family register, dated less than 3 months at the time of submission. This document must be presented as an original with two copies, and must be legalised and translated.
Common errors
- An extract with a date of issue of more than 3 months or which is not legalised will render the case incomplete.
Copy of the passport and identity card of the spouse in Germany
You must provide a copy of all used pages of the passport of the spouse residing in Germany. If they are a German national, a copy of their identity card (Personalausweis) is also required.
Common errors
- A copy of the identity page alone may be deemed insufficient if other pages contain relevant information.
Copy of the spouse's residence permit in Germany
If the spouse in Germany is not a German national, you must provide a copy of their valid residence permit.
Common errors
- An expired residence permit or a simple confirmation of submission of a renewal application is not generally accepted.
Divorce decree(s) from previous marriages
If one or both spouses have been previously married, the divorce decree or decrees must be provided. These documents must be legalised and translated if necessary.
Common errors
- Forgetting to provide the divorce decree from a previous marriage, even a very old one, can block the procedure.
Resources
Proof of spouse's resources in Germany
If you are joining a non-German spouse, you must prove that their means of subsistence are secured. The documents generally requested are the employment contract and the payslips for the last three months.
Common errors
- Missing payslips or a very short fixed-term employment contract may be considered insufficient.
Education
German language certificate
The applicant must prove basic knowledge of German, corresponding to level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The certificate must come from a testing body certified according to ALTE standards.
Common errors
- A certificate from an institute not recognised by ALTE or a simple certificate of course attendance without a final examination is not valid.
Insurance
Travel health insurance
You must take out a travel health insurance policy valid for all Schengen States, with a minimum cover of €30,000. It must be valid for a period of 3 to 6 months from the start of the visa's validity. This document is usually only requested at the time the visa is issued.
Common errors
- An insurance policy with less than the minimum required cover or which excludes certain types of care will be refused.
Accommodation
Spouse's certificate of residence in Germany (Meldebescheinigung)
You must provide a copy of a certificate of residence (Meldebescheinigung) for the spouse living in Germany. The document must not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.
Common errors
- An expired certificate or a simple sworn statement are not sufficient.
Proof of the spouse's accommodation in Germany
If you are joining a non-German spouse, you must provide proof of sufficient accommodation, such as the rental contract (Mietvertrag) in the spouse's name in Germany.
Common errors
- A subletting contract not authorised by the landlord or a simple proof of accommodation letter may be refused.
Other documents
National visa application form (Antrag auf Erteilung eines nationalen Visums)
You must complete the form online via the VIDEX application, print it and sign it. You must also enclose the corresponding declaration, Belehrung, and the contact form, Erreichbarkeit, duly signed. Depending on the source, one or two copies must be provided.
Common errors
- A form that is not completed via the VIDEX platform, is not signed or is incomplete may lead to a refusal.
Have your situation reviewed
Having the list does not indicate whether your situation will lead to a successful outcome. The questionnaire takes a few minutes and an adviser will send you a written opinion within one working day, whether your application is admissible or not.