family reunion visa germany cover letter

Sample Covering Letter for German Visa Family Reunion

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How to Write a Covering Letter for Family Reunion Visa in Germany (With Free Samples)

The German government has made is easy for registered partner in Germany to bring in their spouse. Same is applicable to the third-country people that are residing legally in the country to have their spouse with them. But the clause is that you must fulfill all the laid –down conditions which has been stipulated by the government. Now, when once the conditions have been fulfilled, the next stop is to get the visa and one way to easily get the visa is to write a personal covering letter for German visa family reunion to the recipient.

So a cover letter for German visa family reunion is a backup document that covers the real purpose of the visa application. The covering letter will be a kind of introductory letter where the recipient will get to know about the sender and the details of the visa application. It is always of essence to simplified fact to allow the reader know more about an application to take an informed decision, this would be the whole idea of a personal covering letter for a German visa.

Writing an effective personal covering letter for German visa family reunion will need you stating in clear terms your facts with some evidences. You would need to convince the German consulate General that you have met all the requirements and provided all needed documents. So the letter shouldn’t only be compelling it should be informative. You would need to input all the information that you believe will interest the recipient. The below writing tips would help you write a convincing letter that would prompt the consulate to give an approval

• Start by stating your name and address
• Then state the recipient name, title and address, beneath this you can include your subject
• Salute the recipient formally. You can use dear Sir or Madam
• Begin the first paragraph with an introduction or a preamble then move to detailing the need to get into Germany
• State the reasons or purpose of the letter. Don’t forget to add the needed documents to the letter
• Tell the recipient to contact if need be, so that you can explain issues to the recipient to clear out things
• Reiterate the need for your request to be granted
• Close your letter and sign off with your name and title

Below are the sample personal covering letters for German visa family reunion

Victor Williams

345 landmarks Avenue,

Sacramento, USA

German Consulate General

4 th floor, Barry house building

St Peter road

Karnataka 0986765

Subject: request letter for issuance of family reunion visa

I, Victor Williams hold a passport number 453245 want to apply for the German visa family reunion visa for my family. I want to join my wife that is presently working as an Engineer in Germany. My wife Benny Williams is a blue cardholder with passport number 123456 works with the Staco engineering company as an site Engineer in Berlin, Germany.

The truth is that we got married on the 3 rd sept 2020, she is currently residing at 20 Indiana road Berlin. This stated address will also be my residential address when I move into the country. I intend to pay for all our expenses though I know my wife will want to help out as well. I have attached to this letter the required documents for verification: proof of accommodation which will be more than enough for me, proof of my German language skills, our marriage registration certificate and the identity card of my spouse. I attest that all the information I have provided here are all true to the best of my knowledge.

I wouldn’t mind furnishing you with other information you might need of me. On this note I reiterate that you approve and issue me a visa for a family reunion in Germany.

Yours sincerely

Benny Williams

Hosea Collins

789 bayside Road,

Chennai, Germany

4 th may, 2021

To: the consulate general of the federal republic of Germany

564 hockeys Club Street

Chennai, Germany,

This is a request letter for German visa family reunion written on behalf of my wife Sharon Collins. I am her husband currently working with the tx automotive company at Altdorf Germany. I am the senior liver coordinator and I live at no 789 bayside Road. Chennai, Germany. We got married in England, UK and she has been there for a while to finalize her projects. She is done now and I would like to invite to permanently join me here so that we are progress with our married life together here.

All the expenses that would be incurred while she is here will be borne by me. I have attached all the needed documents as evidence for your perusal. I can assure you that my wife wills only conduct herself to the tenets of the rules and regulations as upheld here. With all of this in mind, I plead that you allow a visa for her. Thanks for your consideration; I hope that the response will come sooner than I think.

Yours sincerely,

It is great news now as the German immigration authorities has created a German visa for family reunion. So if you live in German and you need your spouse or family to join you then you would need a reunion visa for the person. When once the conditions are met, then you apply for a visa and to get things easily done you would need to include or attach a covering letter to your application.

Writing the personal covering letter isn’t difficult provided you know the information to include and the format to adopt. The writing tips above have given you the detailed information on how to get it right. You just need to adopt and include them in your letter to craft it excellently. The samples are also written for your convenience; you can adopt any as your template and fit in your original information to your taste.

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Family Reunion Visa Germany: An Ultimate Guide For International Students (2024)

• What is a Ramily Visa?
• Who can apply?
• How long is the visa valid?
• Processing Time
• Can I work?
• Requirements
• How to apply?
• Residence Permit

Video Course

How To Get Your German Student Visa Application Done — Quickly and Stress-Free

Moving to a foreign country is an exciting, albeit challenging, task for most students. This new chapter of your life brings with it lots of novelties, opportunities and difficulties. Germany is not an exception in that regard. Based on our observation of hundreds of cases, most of the international students in Germany need at least one semester to adapt to the new environment that they have to face in Germany. In fact, some of the students cannot cope with the novelties and even leave the country during or after the first semester. 

However, it has to be emphasized that there are multiple ways through which international students can turn this transitional period into a much smoother and more enjoyable experience! One of them is to bring your family with you to Germany. Did you know that some of your family members can accompany you in Germany during your studies through a special type of visa called "Family Reunion Visa"?  If this is a type of German visa that you would like to learn more about, then you are in the right place, as here we address the fundamental questions related to the family reunion visa.

It is our goal to inform you honestly and accurately, therefore, we need to add a DISCLAIMER :  

You should use this text as a general guide, but it cannot be a legal consultation. The visa regulations are made and executed by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), and the local Foreigners’ Offices (Ausländerbehörde). Please be aware: Some rules and procedures can vary from embassy/consulate to embassy/consulate (even within one country), and from Ausländerbehörde to Ausländerbehörde in Germany. That is why we highly recommend you also consult the  German representation abroad  near you, and the local Foreigners’ Office in Germany (which Ausländerbehörde is responsible for you depends on your residence in Germany) for information that applies to your case.

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What is a Family Reunion Visa?

German family visa ( Visum zur Familienzusammenführung/Familiennachzug ) is a type of visa that allows family members of international students to join them in Germany during their studies. In other words, as an international student, you have a right to bring some of your family members with you as a holder of a German student visa / student residence permit. 

Keep in mind that not all of your relatives are permitted to join you during your studies. Generally speaking, depending on the individual cases, family members that are eligible to accompany you during your studies in Germany are your spouse (wife, husband), your child and your parent . It is noteworthy that the family visa requirements differ based on who will join you. Put differently, the documentation package and the prerequisites needed for your child to join you are not the same as in the case of your spouse joining you on your German student visa .

Who can apply for a Family Reunion visa in Germany?

Actually, it is more about who should apply rather than who can apply for a German family reunion visa. Basically, whatever the country of origin of your family member (e.g., your spouse), s/he will be able to come and stay with you in Germany.  The thing is that depending on the country of origin, your family member may or may not need a visa and/or a residence permit. In total, we can distinguish between three groups of countries based on the need for a visa and residence permit for a German Family Reunion Visa:

Countries whose citizens need neither a visa nor a residence permit to join you during your studies in Germany. For example, family members from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland fall into this category, as, basically, they have the same rights as Germans.

States whose citizens do not need a visa but need a residence permit . For instance, the USA and the UK.

Countries whose citizens need both a visa and a residence permit . For example, China and India.

Below you can find the full list of countries divided according to these categories.

Group 1 (EU + 4)

No visa or residence permit needed.

Group 2 (USA, UK, Canada, South Korea, Brazil, El Salvador +8)

No visa needed, but residence permit (after arrival).

Group 3 (rest of the world)

Always need a student visa.

How long is a Family Reunification visa valid for?

The family reunification visa is valid for at least the duration of your studies. In other words, a German family visa is valid for a minimum of 1 year . For example, if you are doing a 2-year Master's in Germany and you brought your spouse on a student visa, the family reunion visa for your her/him will be valid for at least 2 years.

Family Reunion Visa Germany: Processing Time

How long does it take to get a family reunion visa for Germany? Based on our research, in most cases, the processing time for a German family visa is around 3 months. Keep in mind that there is no universal processing time that applies to all cases. In some countries, German family visa processing time might take less (e.g., in China, it might take 8 weeks ), while in others, it might take even over 3 months (e.g., in India, 3 months is a minimum required processing time ). Hence, checking the processing times at your local German Embassy/Consulate is of utmost importance.

Further Reading

Can I work in Germany with a Family Reunion Visa?

Yes, your family members joining you during your studies can work with a family reunion visa in Germany . For example, after arriving in Germany with a family reunion visa, your spouse will have around 3 months to convert that German spouse visa into a residence permit for spouses. As soon as the residence permit is granted, your husband/wife will have a right to work in Germany.

Note : for receiving the relevant residence permit, your spouse will need to apply to the local Foreigners' Authority (i.e., local immigration office, in German -  Ausländerbehörde ). You can find more information regarding this procedure in the " How to apply for a Residence Permit for a German Family Reunion Visa? " section of this article.

Geeky Stuff Box

To study in Germany, most international students need a special type of residence permit for studying. This residence permit grants them the right to work in Germany, although with some limitations. In particular, international students can work in Germany 280 days per year part-time (e.g., up to 20 hours per week) or 140 days per year full-time (e.g., more than 20 hours per week).

What are the requirements for a Family Reunion Visa in Germany?

As already mentioned, depending on which family member is going to join you on your student visa in Germany, there can be slightly different requirements and prerequisites. In order not to further complicate the already complicated picture and not to confuse you with various subtypes, here we will focus on the most popular type of family reunion visa, which is the spouse visa in Germany.

Before introducing to you the general checklist of documents needed for the German spouse visa application, let us first present to you some prerequisites that you and your spouse need to meet so that your husband/wife can qualify for this type of family reunion visa.

General prerequisites for spouse visa

Accommodation . As a student residence permit holder, you should have suitable accommodation in Germany for you and your spouse. In other words, your living space should be large enough to accommodate both of you. For example, a 16 sq.m. single room in a student dormitory will not qualify as adequate housing for a couple. It is noteworthy that student dormitories usually offer special housing that is sufficiently large for spouses. 

Money . You should have enough money to care for both yourself and your spouse. Put differently, you should have sufficient finances to cover the living costs for your family without the support of public funds.

Age . When applying for a family reunion/spouse visa, you and your partner should be at least 18 years old.

Marriage . You and your spouse should have registered your marriage before you got your German student visa .

Duration of your stay . The duration of your study course should be at least 1 year.

As for the documents that you need to apply for the German family reunion visa, in particular the German spouse visa, the list of required documents is usually provided on the websites of the local German Embassies/Consulates. Depending on the country of origin, there might be some slight differences in requirements. After looking through the requirements across various locations around the world, our team came up with the following general checklist of documents that you will usually need for your spouse visa application:

Checklist for the German family reunion visa/ German spouse visa

Completed application form . You can find the application forms on the website of the relevant German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your husband's/wife's application. The form is usually quite self-explanatory and easy to fill in. It asks you to provide information regarding your personal details, like your first and last names, date of birth, email, address, marital status, etc. Here is one of the examples of the German family reunion visa application form.

Completed declaration form . By doing this, your spouse confirms that the information s/he provided is accurate.

Passport . Your spouse's valid passport and copies of its data page. Besides, you need to provide copies of your passport's data page too.

Current biometric passport photos . The size of the photo should be 35(W) x 45(H). Your spouse's face in this photo should be clearly visible and should occupy 70-80% of the picture. This equals to 32-36mm of height. The background should be without shadows, bright and unicolored, preferably in neutral grey. Further details regarding the photo quality, head position and the rest can be found here .

Residence Permit . You should provide copies of your current student residence permit in Germany.

Marriage certificate .

In case of previous marriages: marriage, divorce, death certificates . This applies to both you and your spouse.

Birth certificate . Usually, your spouse should also provide a birth certificate for a German family reunion visa.

Invitation letter . You should write an informal letter of invitation confirming that you and your spouse will live together and that you will take the financial responsibilities with regard to your spouse.

Proof of funds . The proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your and your spouse's living costs in Germany.

Registration of the address ( Meldebescheinigung ) . A certificate confirming your registration at a German address.

Proof of accommodatio n in Germany. E.g., a lease contract or a letter from your landlord confirming that you are staying in the specific dormitory.

Health insurance . Your spouse should provide valid insurance that covers the first 3 months of his/her stay in Germany. At this point, travel insurance usually suffices.

Additional documents might be requested in individual cases. For example, a letter of motivation .

Note: All of the German family visa documents should be submitted as originals with two attached copies unless stated otherwise. Incomplete documentation may lead to the rejection of the family reunion visa application.

Regarding the German language certificate. In general, when one applies for a family reunion visa, s/he will need to provide proof of knowledge of A1 level of the German language by providing Goethe, TestDaf or other accepted certificates . In other words, usually, the German language is mandatory for a family reunion visa. However, some German Embassies/Consulates also explicitly mention that if your spouse is going to join you on a temporary basis, then there is no need for a German A1 certificate (e.g., check German Missions in Pakistan and German Mission to Kenya, Somalia and the Seychelles ). It is noteworthy that you, as a student visa holder, have a temporary German residence permit, which means that your spouse is also joining you on a temporary basis. Consequently, in this case, no German language certificate should be required from your spouse. Despite that, we still recommend you to double-check this information with the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your spouse's family reunion visa.

Table 1: Examples of family reunion visa requirements across German Embassies/Consulates

Once again: it is crucial to consult the websites of the German Embassies/Consulates as the requirements might vary. For example, German Missions in Kazakhstan require 3 biometric photos for the family reunion (spouse) visa application, while the German Embassy in Tbilisi (Georgia) requires 2 biometric photos.

How to apply for a Family Reunion Visa in Germany?

Getting an appointment for a German family reunion visa might take months. Besides, your family member might end up waiting another 3 months before her/his family visa is processed. Consequently, you all should plan months ahead and apply as early as possible if you want your family members to be in Germany at the desired time.

The procedure for applying for a family visa in Germany may vary slightly from country to country. Despite this, you have to know about NINE key steps to get the German family reunion visa:

Make sure that all of the prerequisites that qualify your family members for the family visa are met .

Start collecting the documents required for the German family reunion visa application. You can find all of the required documents in the "Family Reunion" (or  Familiennachzug ) section of the website of the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your family visa application. Important: Certify and translate the documents as required by the local German Embassy/Consulate.

Book the appointment at the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your application. You can find the German mission near you here . Note: you need to have all of the necessary documents ready by the time of your appointment. In other words, you can start collecting your documents both before and after you book the appointment. The key is that by the time you visit the Embassy/Consulate, you have all of the necessary documents in your hands.

Visit the Embassy/Consulate. Make sure you are there at least 15 minutes before the appointment.

Submit the documents. All of the documents should be ordered according to the checklist provided by your local German Embassy/Consulate. Do not staple the documents!

Pay the fee for processing your German family visa application. The fee for a German family reunion visa application is 75 Euros . Applicants have to pay the money in the local currency based on the exchange rate at the time of application. As for the payment methods, these vary from country to country. In some cases, the applicant will need to pay in cash only, in other cases with a credit card, yet in other cases, only a demand draft might be acceptable. Keep in mind that the fee is not reimbursable. In other words, even if your application for the German family visa is rejected, you will not get your money back.

Complete the interview. It will take around 10-15 minutes. The interview questions will mainly be regarding your personal background and the purpose of your travel.

Wait for the response. You will probably need to wait around 3 months (the timing depends on the German Embassy/Consulate in your country).

Collect your passport and visa.

Do not forget to check procedural information that applies to your specific case on the website of your local German Embassy/Consulate.

How to apply for a Residence Permit for a German Family Reunion Visa?

Let us stress this once again: if your family members are from the EU member-state, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, they do not need a residence permit. If they are not from the mentioned countries, they will need a residence permit for a family reunion.

For instance, if your spouse needs a German spouse visa to join you in Germany, the visa is usually valid for 3 months . After arriving in Germany, your wife or husband will need to get a residence permit for the German spouse visa within 3 months. Ideally, your spouse should apply for the German family reunion residence permit 6 weeks before the family visa expires . 

Usually, it takes around 4-6 weeks for the Foreigners' Authority Office responsible for your residence permit application to process your enquiry. In other words, the processing time for your German family reunion residence permit is around 1-1.5 months. Do not forget that the application is not free: the fee for the German family reunion residence permit is around 100 Euros .

As far as the documents required for the family reunion residence permit in Germany are concerned, they are not very much different from the documents needed for the visa application. Below you will find the checklist of the basic documents  you will need for the spouse residence permit in Germany.

Checklist of the documents for the German family reunion/German spouse residence permit:

Filled-out application form. You can find the application forms on the website of the Foreigners' Authority responsible for your application. 

Valid Passport. Make sure that your passport's expiry date is not very close and that it has enough free pages left.

Current biometric photo.

Valid entry visa (if applicable) .

Language certificate (if applicable). A German A1 certificate might be required.

Certificate of registration at your German address ( Meldebescheinigung ).

Proof of accommodation. For example, your rental contract.

Health insurance. In this case, it should be, for example, statutory German health insurance rather than travel insurance.

Proof of sufficient financial resources.

Additional documents might be requested in individual cases.

Do not forget to certify and translate the documents as required by the local Foreigners' Authority Office. In general, make sure always to double-check the information regarding the procedure and requirements for the German family reunion residence permit at the Foreigners' Authority Office responsible for your application!

Check out the table below for location-specific examples.

Table 2: Examples of family reunion residence permit requirements across German cities

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Table of Contents

Family Reunion Visa Germany – Complete Guide

Imagine packing your bags with a mix of excitement and nervousness as you get ready to join your loved one on a journey to Germany. The thought of reuniting with your family and starting a new chapter in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries is thrilling. But the road to reunion starts with a crucial step: obtaining a FAMILY REUNION VISA .

It might feel like an overwhelming and complex process, but it’s a manageable journey with the right guidance. This guide is here to light your path, providing you with the essential steps, tips, and insights you need to navigate the visa application process without a hitch.

Eligibility 

To join a family member in Germany, you’ll typically need to seek a Family Reunion Visa. This visa is meant for non-EU nationals who wish to live with family members who are already settled in Germany.

Eligible family members include

• Registered Partners
• Minor Children
• Under certain conditions, parents of minor children and other relatives.

Eligibility Criteria for Family Reunion Visa 

The primary eligibility conditions require

• Financial support from the German resident for the family member who is moving to the country
• Enough Living Space
• Basic German Language Skills For Spouses and Adult Children.

The requirement to show that spouses and adult children have basic German language skills may be waived in cases .

• Where doing so would create extreme hard for family members in Germany or might be inappropriate.
• According to the specific circumstances, such as in cases where the family member in Germany is severely ill or otherwise unable to take the test.

Types of Family Reunion Visas in Germany

Spouse/Registered Partner Visa:

• This visa is for the husband, wife, or registered partner of a German resident or citizen.
• To get this visa, the couple must usually prove that they are married or in a registered partnership.
• Sometimes they need to show they can communicate in German at a basic level.

Children Visa

• This visa is for children under 18 years of age who want to join their parents living in Germany.
• The parents must have a valid residence permit, and there should be enough living space and financial stability to support the child.

Parent Visa For Underage Children

• For parents looking to join their underage child in Germany, the primary considerations include proving the child’s need for parental care in Germany.
• Demonstrating enough financial resources and living space, and sometimes, the custody arrangements if only one parent is moving.

Parent Visa For Adult Children

Joining an adult child in Germany is generally more complex. The German immigration laws are more restrictive when it comes to family reunification with adult children or parents of adult children. Here are some key points:

• Dependency: A crucial factor is proving that the parent is dependent on the adult child for support due to health or other significant reasons.
• Financial Stability: The adult child in Germany must have sufficient financial resources and living space to support their parent(s) without recourse to social assistance from the state.
• Rare Cases: Grants of visas for parents to join adult children in Germany are relatively rare and usually require special circumstances to be demonstrated, such as the parent’s need for care that can only be provided by the child in Germany.

To apply for any of these visas, the person living in Germany must usually have enough living space and financial stability to support their family members.

Each type of visa has specific requirements, so it’s important to check the current guidelines provided by the German embassy or consulate in your country. You can also check Federal Foreign Office of Germany’s website for the most accurate and detailed information.

Other Family Members Visa

In special cases, other family members, such as siblings, grandparents, or adult children, might be allowed to join their family in Germany.

This is usually considered when there is a need for special protection of the family member (for example, if they require care that cannot be provided in their home country).

Which Type of Family Reunion Visa You Need

• Carefully determine which visa type you need before you start the application process.
• Applying for the wrong visa category may affect the outcome of your application.
• The type of visa you need will depend on what family member you intend to join and your current situation.

Basic Required Documents for All Applicants

1. Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least three more months beyond your planned stay in Germany.

2. Visa Application Form: Fully completed and signed.

3. Recent Biometric Photos: Usually two, following the specific requirements provided by the embassy or consulate.

4. Proof of Relationship:

• For Spouse:  Marriage certificate.
• Children: Birth certificate.
• Other family members: Documents proving the family relationship.

5. Proof of German Language Skills (for spouses/partners, if applicable): Certificates from recognized language institutes like Goethe-Institut .

6. Proof of Financial Stability: Bank statements or a letter of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from the family member in Germany.

7. Proof of Adequate Living Space in Germany: Rental contract and a statement from the landlord about the size of the dwelling.

Additional Documents for Specific Situations

8. Health Insurance : Evidence of travel or health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay until you are covered by statutory health insurance in Germany.

9. Custody Documents: If applicable, especially for children traveling alone or with one parent.

10. Parental Consent: For underage children traveling without both parents, a consent letter from the non-traveling parent(s) is necessary.

11. Proof of Integration Measures: For spouses, evidence of integration into German society could be beneficial, like participation in language courses or integration classes.

For the Sponsor/Relative in Germany

1. Copy of their Passport/ID Card: To prove their residence in Germany.

2. Proof of Residence Permit : If they are not a German citizen but reside in Germany with a valid permit.

3. Income Statements: To demonstrate financial ability to support the family member.

4. Proof of Health Insurance: To show that the family member will be covered upon arrival.

Preparing for Submission

• Translations: All documents not in German or English should be translated into German by a certified translator.
• Copies and Originals: Usually, you must submit both originals and copies of all documents.
• Check with the embassy or consulate if originals are required or if copies are sufficient.
• It’s essential to start gathering these documents well in advance of your visa appointment.
• Each document plays a critical role in the application process, and missing or incomplete documentation can lead to delays or denial of the visa.

Get Health Insurance and Accommodation

• You also need to provide evidence of health insurance and accommodation in Germany when you lodge your application.
• Your family member in Germany should help you out with this part of the application process.

Learn German

• Basic knowledge of the German language atleast level A1 of applicant is an important requirement for some visa categories, as it will help you find your feet in German society.
• However, this requirement is not set in stone, so investigate or ask about your particular situation.

Application Process

• Application usually begins by filling out a visa application form online or at your local German mission.
• Once you’ve completed your form, book an interview at your local mission.
• During your interview, you will need to submit your documents as well as answer questions about your time in Germany.

Fees of Family Reunion Visa

• Adults: The standard fee for an adult applying for a Family Reunion Visa is approximately €75 (Euros).
• Children under 18: The fee is reduced for children, typically around €37.50 (Euros).
• Please note, these fees are subject to change and may vary by country due to fluctuating exchange rates or specific embassy/consulate policies.
• Additionally, certain categories of applicants may be exempt from the visa fee, or different rates may apply based on bilateral agreements between Germany and other countries.
• It’s also important to keep in mind that the visa fee is usually non-refundable, even if the visa application is not successful.
• Therefore, make sure you have all the required documents and meet all the eligibility criteria before submitting your application and paying the fee.

Processing Time

• The processing time is typically 3-4 months.
• Keep this in mind and apply well in advance of your intended travel date.
• The processing time can vary greatly depending on the embassy/consulate, as well as the specifics of your case.

Tips for a Successful Family Reunion Visa Application

Start early.

• Begin your application process as early as possible to avoid any unforeseen delays.

Ensure Complete and Accurate Documentation

• All your documents should be complete, accurate, and current.
• Any missing or incorrect information can cause delays or even denials of your application.

Prepare for Your Interview

• Be ready to talk about your relationship with the family member in Germany.
• Your future plans in the country, and how you plan to support yourself financially.

Living in Germany: Next Steps After Arrival

Once you arrive in Germany, follow these steps to settle in:

• Residence Registration: Register at the local Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) within your first week.
• Health Insurance: If you haven’t already, sign up for a health insurance plan that meets German standards.
• Integration Course: Consider taking an integration course to better your German language skills and understand German laws, culture, and society better.

Family Reunion Visa Validity and Extension

• The Family Reunion Visa initially lasts for 12 months.
• If you plan to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit extension in Germany.
• After living in Germany legally for five years, you may be eligible for permanent residency, provided you meet criteria, such as passing language tests .

In conclusion, a family reunion visa is a special permit that allows people from different countries to live together with their families in another country. This visa is important because it helps families to stay together and supports the idea that family bonds are crucial.

To apply for this visa, you need to follow specific steps and meet certain requirements, which can include proving your relationship with your family members and showing that you can support them financially.

Remember, each country has its own rules, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for the country you’re applying to. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask for advice from experts or people who have gone through the process. In the end, the effort to bring your family together is worth it, as being with loved ones is invaluable.

Read More at How to Abroad

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Germany Family Reunion Visa for Parents

Non-EU citizens living in Germany often want to be reunited with their family and bring their non-German parents with a Family Reunion visa, but the rules for a German visa are complex and both the parents and person residing in Germany must meet the eligibility criteria.

Failure to meet the requirements can result in a rejected or delayed visa application. Instructing an immigration lawyer can ensure you have correctly completed your application and provided all the correct documentation to support a positive decision. Call Total Law on (+44)333 305 9375 today for bespoke advice on your Family Reunion visa application.

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• Overview of Family Reunion Visa

Under the EU Freedom of Movement, an European Union citizen has the right to live and work in Germany, and are able to bring their parents, children and spouse to Germany without a visa. On the other hand, nationals from outside the EU do not have this freedom and instead must seek family reunification with the German Reunion visa. To apply for this visa, both the parents and adult child in Germany must meet certain requirements, and the parents must make a formal visa application to the German immigration authorities in their country before they are able to join their family member in Germany.

The Family Reunion visa is only available to parents whose children hold certain German permits, and the family member who is sponsoring their parents must be able to financially support and provide accommodation for their parents.

Page Contents

Can i bring my parents to germany permanently, how long does a family reunion visa allow my parents to stay, who can get the germany family reunion visa, how to apply for a german parent visa, documents required, how much does the germany family reunion visa for parents cost, how long does the visa application take to process, can my parents extend their family reunion visa, how can total law help, frequently asked questions.

Yes, although this depends on both of your circumstances. If you or your parents are EU citizens, you all have the right to freedom of movement within Europe and family reunification is simple.

However, if you are a non-EU citizen living in Germany, this is when the process gets more complicated and we recommend speaking to immigration experts, such as Total Law, to see what your family are eligible for and how to apply for the visa compliantly. In this case, your family members will only be able to enter Germany to join you if you hold a long-term German residence permit, a permanent residence permit , or a residence permit for highly qualified individuals. On the other hand, your parents will not be able to join you if you hold a short-term visa, for example, a Business visa or Schengen visa .

Both you and your parents must fulfil the eligibility criteria for a reunion visa and if their application is successful, they will be granted a limited period of stay in Germany. Once they have been granted permission to travel to Germany to join you, they can apply for a residence permit .

The amount of time your parents will be granted permission to stay in Germany will depend on the purpose of their visit and how long you are staying in Germany.

A Family Reunion visa can be short term, for a maximum of 90 days, or for a longer period of time, which can be issued for up to one year. This can later be extended for two more years, depending on the reasons your parent is staying in Germany.

When applying for the long term visa , this is when your family members will have to provide additional documents, such as proof of accommodation and financial resources, alongside their visa application forms as listed below.

Once your parents have arrived in Germany, they can apply for a residence permit, which will allow them to stay in Germany for a longer period of time. The residence permit they can apply for will depend on the eligibility criteria they meet, their personal circumstances and their purpose of staying in Germany.

Previously, for any people who were an adult child and no longer a minor, it was only possible to bring their parents to Germany if they were a case of ‘exceptional hardship’. Now, Germany has changed the law so that parents of skilled workers are also able to apply for family reunification and eventually a residence permit for staying with their children in Germany.

If you would like personalised advice on whether you and your parents are eligible for the Family Reunion visa and how they can live permanently with you, speak to Total Law today on (+44)333 305 9375 for specialist advice.

Your Requirements

Your financial stability is pivotal in the immigration process. You must be able to pay for your family, as they cannot rely on social benefits for support, and you will also need sufficient accommodation for them. Although this isn’t necessary if the person in Germany is a German citizen.

The amount of money you need will depend on if one or both of your parents are applying for family reunification. There is no set amount for minimum income, but it is assumed that in addition to general expenses, you will need to have a minimum of €500 per family member.

You will have to provide:

• Proof of stable finances, through employment income, savings, or property ownership; this amount is calculated after accounting for rent or loans. Typically, this will take the form of bank statements, payslips, or other official documentation.
• A signed declaration saying you will cover the costs of your parents living in Germany, including healthcare costs and potential return flights.
• Evidence of space for them, this is 12 metres squared per person over six years old.

You must also hold a long-term residence permit, residence permit, or EU Blue Card, be over 18 years old, and know German.

Your Parents’ Requirements

The parents must also fulfil specific requirements to be eligible for a Family Reunion visa; they must be able to guarantee their livelihood, have sufficient health insurance, and be able to provide a number of documents.

Depending on what country your parents are travelling from, they may be required to take a tuberculosis test before they travel. It may be helpful for them to speak to their German embassy to find out if this is a requirement for them.

They must also show evidence that they mean to integrate into German society, by:

• Proving A1 level proficiency in German language, at a minimum.
• Arranging to take a German integration course (though this is not mandatory).

There is no maximum age requirement for people applying for family reunification.

Our immigration experts can help you obtain a Germany family reunion visa . Get in touch with us today! Contact Us

Your parents can apply for a Family Reunion visa once you have your German residence permit. They will need to gather all the required documents and make an appointment to apply for their visa at the German embassy in their country; they may not be able to apply from within Germany if they are already with you.

On the day of the interview, they will pay the visa fee and meet an immigration officer to have a short interview with them. They will ask them about their background and reasons for travelling to Germany.

Many documents must be presented during your parents’ appointment with the immigration authorities. If they don’t have them for the appointment, they will not be able to process their visa application and they will have to book another appointment. Your parents must prepare two identical application sets of all the following documents, take the original certificates, and not staple anything together. They will need:

• A valid passport, which is less than 10 years old, has at least one year remaining and two empty pages. Passports with observations about name, birth date, birthplace, and sex are not accepted; these are handwritten notes or stamps highlighting certain information.
• A4 copies of the first and last pages of their passport, and all pages containing entry stamps or visas.
• A completed and signed visa application form, declaration form, and contact information form.
• A personal cover letter detailing why they are visiting Germany and how long they are staying.
• An invitation letter inviting them to stay with you and confirming there is sufficient room for them to stay.
• Your birth certificate and an A4 copy of your passport.
• Your German certificate of residence from within the last six months.
• Proof of parentage, either acknowledgement of paternity if your parents were unmarried at the time of your birth, declaration of joint custody if your parents are unmarried, or proof of marriage.
• Your parents’ birth certificate from under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1969.
• Evidence of private health insurance for the duration of their stay, which covers the whole area of Germany and will cover any medical costs that they may incur.
• Proof of German language skills to at least A1 level.
• A school certificate, such as a matriculation certificate, Middle School Board Certificate, or school leaving certificate including birth date.
• Two passport photographs from within the last six months.

Additional documents may be requested, or your provided documents may need to be investigated, which may incur additional costs. It is advisable that they check with the German embassy in their country which documents are required, so they can prepare additional documents in advance of their interview.

Alternatively, a checklist of the required documents may be listed on the German embassy’s website, or they may be able to request one by email.

If any of their documents are not in German or English, copies of certified English translations must be included. If your family members are unsure what is considered a certified translation or have any other queries about what documents are required, Total Law is here to answer your questions. Call us today on (+44)333 305 9375, or contact us online.

The visa fee for a Family Reunion Long-term visa is €75.00. This is non-refundable if the application is rejected or they decide to withdraw their application after they have paid.

Once your family members have arrived in Germany, if they apply for a residence permit, this will incur a separate fee of €85.00.

Once they have submitted their application, their Family Reunion visa will take at least three months to process and they will not receive any status updates during this time.

It can also take a while to book an appointment at the German embassy if they are receiving a lot of applications at that time, in which case, they will schedule their appointment later. Although, if the embassy is not busy, they will get an appointment within a few days.

For the best chances of success with your immigration case, speak with our team today. Contact Us

If your parents decide they would like to stay with you for longer, before their current visa expires they must submit their application to extend their visa. A visa extension isn’t necessarily guaranteed and they may have to provide additional documents or attend an interview with the immigration authorities in Germany.

There are a number of requirements that must be met, both from the German resident and the parent wishing to be reunited with them, and it can be challenging to ensure that the application fulfils the German immigration authority’s criteria. Working alongside an experienced immigration lawyer can ensure the application is completed correctly, and all documents are supplied, ultimately speeding up the visa process and supporting a positive decision.

Total Law are full-service lawyers that can help you with any visa application, from providing personalised advice to completing your visa application on behalf of your family members. Call us today on (+44)333 305 9375, or contact us online, to speak to one of our advisors.

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Related pages for your continued reading.

Residency permit germany, family visa germany, student visa germany, work visa germany, business visa germany, germany visa, can parents apply for a family reunion visa if their child is a student in germany.

Yes, you can bring your parents to live with you during the period you study in Germany , but only if you are a minor and are in need of their care during your studies.

Can parents work in Germany with a family reunion visa?

Yes, parents can work if they have moved to Germany for family reunification; however, there are some restrictions. They are allowed to work for up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year without requiring a work permit. If they want to work more days than this, they will need to apply for a separate work permit.

These German work permits have their own requirements, such as meeting the qualifications for the job and having sufficient German language skills.

They will not be allowed to work until they have received their German residence permit and the processing time can vary.

Can parents apply for a family reunion visa if their child is a minor in Germany?

Yes, however, the parents must meet eligibility criteria in order to enter Germany. The parent must have custody of the minor child, there is no parent responsible for care in Germany, and the child has a German residence permit.

Disclaimer: Total Law operates under different capacities in the various countries we cover, including as immigration consultants or lawyers; We connect clients with our network of immigration lawyers if we are not registered as a law firm in a particular country

All about Family reunion visa for Germany

Indians can get lucrative jobs in Germany. However, family ties are important, and many Indians wish to have their close family members in Germany.

For this reason, Germany issues Family Reunion visas for spouses, children, or parents. Let us have a look at the different types and how to apply for each of them.

Germany Family Reunion Visa for Spouse

If you are an Indian national whose spouse works in Germany, you can go live with them using this visa.

One of the main requirements is that your spouse should be eligible to act as a sponsor for you. For this, they should hold one of the following:

• Possession of a settlement permit,
• An EU long-term residence permit,
• A residence permit or
• An EU Blue Card.

Along with this, they should have the financial capability to support you as well as sufficient living space and security.

Documents Required for Germany Family Reunion Visa for Spouse

Here is a checklist for the Family Reunion visa if you wish to join your spouse in Germany.

1. Valid Passport

You need to have a valid Indian passport that has been issued within the last 10 years. It also needs to be valid for at least another year from the visa application date.

However, it is better to make sure your passport is valid for more than a year from the visa application date. In addition, your passport must have at least two empty pages.

2. Application, Declarations, and Contact Information Forms

You will have to fill in three forms in addition to sending your documents for the Family Reunion Visa.

The first one is the Application Form for the National Visa (Family Reunion comes under this). In this, you are required to fill out your basic details.

It is recommended to fill it out online for faster processing. Otherwise, you can print it out, fill it, sign it, and then send it along with the rest of your documents. Here is the PDF version of the Application Form.

The second form you need to fill out and sign is the Declarations Form, which certifies that you have given complete and true information about yourself. Here is the PDF version of the Declarations Form.

The third form is the straightforward Contact Information Form, where you fill in your contact details. Here is the PDF link.

3. Personal Covering Letter for Family Reunion Visa

A cover letter should explain the exact purpose and duration of your stay in Germany. It should contain travel details that lend weight to the information filled out in your application form.

It acts as an overview of your application and is the first thing a visa consulate officer looks at before going over your documents. For this reason, cover letters are extremely important.

4. Copy of All Pages of Your Passport and your Spouse’s Passport

You are required to submit a copy of all pages of your passport. Your spouse will need to submit this too. Importantly, you will have to make sure these copies are printed on A4 size paper.

5. Certificate of Residence of Spouse in Germany (“Meldebescheinigung”)

A residence permit is a document or card that allows a foreign national to reside in a country for a fixed or indefinite length of time.

Your spouse will have to show this Certificate of Residence, or Meldebescheinigung, to serve as their address proof in Germany.

Do you have further questions?

Join our community of job seekers and expats from Germany. You can ask your doubts and get suggestions on topics related to getting a job in Germany and several other related topics.

6. Proof of Marriage

You need to show proof of marriage, using certificates and possibly photographs of the marriage function. The full requirements for proof of different types of marriage are given in detail in this checklist .

These include marriages that come under the Hindu Marriage Act, the Shariat Law, the Special Marriage Act, and the Christian Marriage Act.

If the marriage did not happen in Germany or India, you will have to show an appropriate legal certificate as proof.

Please make sure that the marriage certificate is in English or else you will have to get it translated and apostilled .

7. Birth Certificate

You will be required to provide your Birth Certificate issued according to the “Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969”.

Make sure this document is also in English or follow the same process of translation and apostille the document.

8. School Certificate

You need to submit a school certificate, which can be any one of the following:

• A matriculation certificate
• A middle school board certificate
• A school leaving certificate including the date of birth

If you have an academic degree, you will have to submit a copy of that as well.

9. Proof of Residence in India

To show proof of your residence in India, you can use any one of the following:

• Aadhar Card
• Ration Card covering the last 4 years
• Voter’s ID

10. Proof of German Knowledge (A1 Level)

For the family reunion visa for spouses, you would have to show basic knowledge of the German language, which is an A1 certificate no older than 12 months.

The German Missions only accept German language certificates issued by language institutes fulfilling ALTE-Standard, i.e., Goethe Institute (Max Mueller Bhavan) or Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD).

Here is more information on the German language requirement for spouses.

In general, if your spouse is eligible for a blue card or is a Blue card holder, you are not required to have German language knowledge as a dependent.

11. Passport Pictures

You need to have passport size pictures of yourself as per the biometric specifications , which are not older than six months.

4 passport pictures are required for the visa application, but it is a good idea to keep a few more with you in case you need them for other applications.

12. Fee for Verification of Documents for Family Reunion Visa

You will have to pay a fee for the verification of your documents. The visa fee comes to EUR 75 (INR 6,600) for adults and EUR 37,50 (INR 3,300) for minors aged 0-17.

The verification procedure will be initiated and carried out by the Embassy or the locally competent Consulate. As mentioned earlier, the process takes around 8 to 12 weeks.

Additional Documents for Family Reunion Visa

In certain cases, you might need to submit additional documents for the Family reuninon visa application. Some of these documents are:

• Copy of Spouse’s Residence Permit (“Aufenthaltstitel”)
• Divorce Judgement and Decree of all Former Marriages (If applicable)
• Certificate of Death of Former Spouse (If applicable)

Documents needed for Family Reunion Visa if Spouse is an EU Citizen (except German Citizen)

1. Employment Contract and Salary Slips

You will need a copy of the valid employment contract and salary slips of the last 3 months of your spouse living in Germany. You will require this only if your spouse is an EU citizen (except a German citizen).

2. Lease Agreement

You will require a copy of the lease agreement for accommodation in Germany of your spouse. You need this document only if your spouse is an EU citizen (except a German citizen).

Germany Family Reunion Visa for Children

The checklist for a Family Reunion visa for a child to join their parent(s) living in Germany, is nearly the same as the Family Reunion visa for a spouse.

For visa appointments, minors have to be accompanied by their legal guardian or third person duly authorized by the legal guardian.

Are you looking for free resources?

You can access a bunch of free resources on this website ranging from a free Resume`, CV, and a cover letter template to Free apps to learn German.

The few different documents needed are mainly concerned with proving the child’s identity and parentage. Additional documents needed in different cases are mentioned below.

1. Proof of German Knowledge (C1 Level)

If a minor is aged 16 and above, they will require to have German proficiency of at least C1 level. This is different than the German knowledge requirement for spouses, which is A1.

This requirement is only for minors who apply for a family reunion visa with a non-German/non-EU national.

2. Employment Contract and Salary Slips

A copy of the valid employment contract and salary slips of the last three months of the parent living in Germany is required. These are mandatory if the parent is an EU citizen (except a German citizen)

In case of a family reunion with a non-German parent in Germany

Sometimes the child’s parent is living in Germany while the other parent continues to reside permanently in India. In this case, the parent in Germany needs to prove sole custody in case the child’s parents are divorced.

On the other hand, if the parents are still married, a declaration of consent needs to be signed by the parent remaining in India in person at the German Mission.

Germany Family Reunion Visa Processing Time

According to the German Missions in India, your visa will take at least three months to process. This is regardless of the type of Family Reunion Visa that you apply for.

The verification procedure is initiated and carried out by the German Embassy or the locally competent Consulate. This process of verification easily takes between 8 to 12 weeks.

You will have to be patient while waiting for this visa. As said on the official website, “regular status inquiries during the first three months after submission of your application will not be answered”.

Document Submission for Family Reunion Visa

One important thing is health insurance , and you need to get appropriate cover before applying for any German visa.

You will have to book an appointment at an appropriate German Mission. It is important to make sure all your papers and documents are in order before taking them to the appointment.

Prepare two identical application sets consisting of copies of the above-mentioned documents and take all your original certificates along. Do not staple any documents, take them in a folder instead.

In case a document is not set up in German or English, you will have to submit it together with a notary attested English translation.

German Missions may ask for additional documents or, in rare cases, further investigations of certificates. Additional fees would be charged in these cases.

Further information regarding documents is given at the end of the Family Reunion checklist for spouses and children . Here are instructions to book an interview appointment once you have all your documents ready.

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Cover letter for German Family Reunification Visa

Third-country nationals who are legally residing in Germany can bring over their spouse or registered partner in Germany if they both fulfill some conditions. To be able to obtain the spouse visa, the applicant must provide a cover letter stating the exact purpose of the visa application. Below you will find a sample cover letter that was used for German Family Reunification Visa in Bangalore Consulate, India.

Personal Cover Letter from the Applicant for the German Family Reunification Visa

From <Name & Address> To German Consulate General, 2nd & 3rd floor, Cash Pharmacy Building, Corner St. Mark’s Road & Residency Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025. Subject : Cover letter requesting issue of Family Reunion Visa for Spouse Dear Sir/Madam, I, XYZ holding Indian Passport (Passport No. XYZ) wish to apply for the German National visa for Family Reunion (Spouse) to join my husband currently working in Germany. My husband, XYZ (Blue card holder with Indian Passport No. XYZ, is working for XYZ as Software Professional in Berlin, Germany. We got married on XYZ and he is currently residing at <German Address>. The mentioned address will also be my future residential address in Germany. And he will be my sole sponsor during my stay and will be covering all the expenses involved. The required documents are attached along with this application and all the details mentioned are true to best of my understanding.. I shall be pleased to furnish any further information and submit the relevant documents, as and when required, in this regard.

Keeping in view of the above, I request you to kindly issue the visa to join my husband in Germany. Sincerely, (Applicant’s Name)

In case, you’re newly wed with a valid marriage certificate issued recently, it helps producing a No Objection Letter filled by parents. This letter is mandatory if the girl (applicant) is minor, otherwise it’s recommended. Below you will find a sample no objection reference letter to be signed by parents of the applicant.

No Objection Letter for the German Family Reunification Visa

From     <Parents Name> <Address>

German Consulate General, 2nd & 3rd floor, Cash Pharmacy Building, Corner St. Mark’s Road & Residency Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025 Subject :  No Objection Certificate for issuance of Visa (Letter of Consent) Dear Sir/Madam, We hereby, declare that our daughter, XYZ, holding Indian nationality with Passport No. XYZ,  has got married to XYZ, Indian national with Passport No. XYZ. She will be travelling to Germany to join her husband on <date> with our consent. The undersigned do further solemnly affirm and verify that the contents of my above statement are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed therein. Sincerely, Father (XYZ) & Mother (XYZ)

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For family reunion visa for child, there is also a cover letter required. Now my question is, the cover letter should be on child’s behalf. I mean same way as spouse or parent(mother) can write and sign on child’s behalf? If one of the parent is in Germany , then can one parent can sign or both parents need to sign?

How did you proceed with this?

How can I write a cover letter for my Minor Child to issue National Family Reunion Visa on my Child’s behalf? Is there a sample letter available, I need very urgently to apply.

Does any one have a response to above questions?

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Inviting Family and Friends To Germany [2024 Guide]

by Live in Germany Team | Bureaucracy in Germany

Last Update: Feb 24, 2024 @ 2:27 am

🚀 Meet LiGa, our cutting-edge chat bot for all things about living in Germany! 🇩🇪 Personalized and interactive, LiGa outshines traditional searches. It’s in beta phase, and your feedback will shape LiGa into the ultimate companion for your inquiries! 🤖✨ #LiveinGermany

Do you want to invite your friends, family members, or business partners to Germany? Or do you want to visit Germany for personal or business reasons? Germany is a fantastic place to visit for many people, either for education, tourism, or business. If you are from one of the EU countries, then you can simply pack your stuff and visit it whenever you want. If you are not from an EU country, you must get a German visa to visit Germany. An invitation letter is necessary to get a visitor visa in most countries; with this letter, you can invite anyone to Germany.

What Does an Invitation Letter Mean in Germany? 

An invitation letter is the document you can present while applying for a German visa. This invitation letter convinces your application powerfully and makes the process easy and quick. If one is applying for a German visa and has an invitation letter in hand, the German embassy can trust the person that he or she is not moving to Germany for any illegal activity. The invitation letter also proves that you will not stay in Germany for more than 90 days and will return to your homeland within your visa limit.

Obligation Letter

Some people call it an invitation letter while others call it a sponsorship letter. In Germany it is called verpflichtungserklärung which means obligation letter. If your friends or family members or anyone else wishes to visit Germany, they can use an obligation letter to ease their visa process and can travel to Germany without any challenge.

For more information about declaration of commitment, refer to our article (Declaration of Commitment) on our blog.

🔶   Related Topic : How to Get Verpflichtungserklärung in Germany 

Writer of The Invitation Letter

The person planning to ask someone and host the visit would write an invitation letter to get the visitor visa. Once the invitation letter is written, you should send it to your friend, family member, acquaintance, or business partner you want to invite to Germany, as they need to present the invitation letter at the German embassy while applying for the German visa. If you are going to Germany to visit your family or spouse, any of your family members or spouse should write it. If you have a lot of members to write your invitation letter to, you should ask the one who has the strongest financial background and has more years while staying in Germany. For students, universities or educational institutions will provide the invitation letter.

Visa Options

There are two basic kinds of visas;

• Tourist visa
• Visitor visa

It is highly recommended to use a visa for your close friends or relatives, otherwise, you might face some legal and financial issues in Germany. The short stay visa is only valid for 90 days within the period of 180 days. This visa is used for private visits, tourist visits, and business trips. It is also called a short stay visa or Schengen visa.

Requirements to Get A Visa

There are a few requirements to get a visa. Let us share those requirements below;

• Get an invitation letter from the immigration office of the town you are registered in.
• Get the below information of the person you are going to invite;
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Passport number
• Scan a copy of the first or last page of the passport number
• Your relationship with the person you wish to invite to Germany
• Filled form based on your city of residence
• Your passport
• Residence permit
• German house rent agreement (to check the flat area if it is enough to welcome and serve the guests in a good way in Germany)
• Salary slips of last 6 months (to check if you can sponsor)
• Bank statement of last 6 months
• Certificate by a tax advisor if you are self-employed
• German work contract (in some specific cases)

Kinds of An Invitation Letter

Well, the reason to have an invitation may be different for everyone. You can write it for multiple purposes. Here are the different kinds of invitation letters based on multiple reasons.

• Invitation letter for private visit
• Invitation letter for business visit
• Invitation letter for tourism
• Invitation letter for a family visit or spouse visit
• Invitation letter for medical visit
• Invitation letter for education
• Invitation letter for guest scientists or scholars
• Invitation letter for official delegations
• Invitation letter for training and internships
• Invitation letter for trade and fair exhibitions

Let us discuss each in detail.

Invitation Letter for Private Trip

There is no specific format for an invitation letter, so you can write it as you want to. Your invitation letter must have all the necessary information mentioned in it. Here is the information needed to write an invitation letter for a personal or private trip.

• Your personal information, like your name and your complete address
• Your contact information, like phone number and email address
• Your identity card number
• Your resident permit number
• Information of the person you want to invite; full name, address, date of birth, and passport number.
• Proof of your relationship with the person you are inviting.
• Purpose of your trip; to attend any event like a birthday, wedding, general meetup, or tourist visit.
• Describe the kind of your friendship or kinship
• The duration of your relationship with the person you plan to invite.
• Time frame and scheduled course
• Date and location
• Your signatures

Evidence of Your Relationship with The Visitor

As we mentioned, you need to provide evidence of your relationship. It is necessary for your invitation letter. Proof of your relationship can be in the form of the below documents;

• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificate
• Proof of previous notes
• Any document of a previous meeting
• Proof in the form of an email

Invitation Letter for A Business Trip

As Germany is well developed, people find multiple business options here. To visit Germany, it is necessary for you that a person working in a German company for example; manager or director invites you. Reasons to visit Germany for business might be different such as visiting to sign an agreement, to start a business venture, to discuss the business plan, or so on. If you need to write an invitation letter for a business trip, it should have the following information;

• Your personal information like full name and address
• Your contact information like phone number and email address
• If you invite an employee, a letter from the employee's employer is necessary. The employer should mention the reason and duration of the visit in this letter.
• Purpose, reason, and objective behind the business visit.
• Period and planned course of the visit (business meetings, office visits, factory visits, business discussions, or receptions)
• Proof of business relationship such as; contract, agreement, or business emails
• Address of the hotel where the invited person will stay during his or her visit
• An official company letterhead
• Stamp of the company
• Signature of the managing director

Invitation Letter for Tourism

Germany is a place full of tourist attractions for the tour lovers so people visit it for tourism. Germany has many locations and events to attract visitors. If you are one who wants to visit Germany for tourism, your invitation letter can help you to get a visitor visa for your tour to Germany. If you have any relationships in Germany, your friend, family, or business person, who is willing to write an invitation letter for you, it is a great option to get one invitation letter from that person. The information needed to be mentioned in your invitation letter is almost the same as you have read earlier for the invitation letter for a personal or private visit to Germany. One additional piece of information that you should mention in your invitation letter, is the information related to the tourist places, attractions, or locations you want to visit and see together.

Invitation Letter for A Family Visit or Spouse Visit

This is the most basic reason why people usually have an invitation letter. Most of the people working or living in Germany try to call their spouses or family members to visit them. The German embassy may feel that you will stay in Germany permanently so they can avoid giving you a visa easily. If you have an invitation letter, it can make sure that you would not overstay in Germany. Basic information is the same as other kinds of letters. Additionally you should write the activities you are going to do together during your stay in Germany and also describe the dates of the stay in Germany. If the person inviting you does not share the last name, then he or she must provide other documents to prove that you are related to him or her.

Invitation Letter for Medical Visit

Germany is a popular country for good hospitals, doctors, and medical facilities. They are good to treat many health issues as compared to many other countries. If you or someone in your family needs medical attention from a German hospital or a German doctor, you must have an invitation letter to make your visit happen easily. For a medical visit, you must have an invitation letter from a doctor or hospital you are planning to visit in Germany. They must mention the following information in the invitation letter.

• Kind of medical issue the patient has.
• The required treatment.
• Duration of the treatment.
• Details of medical tests if required.
• Description of required check ups and frequency of hospital visits during stay in Germany.
• Dates of the visit

Keep in mind that the German embassy does not offer visas to those patients who have treatment for an indefinite period, so your treatment must have a specific duration.

Invitation Letter for Education

Being a student, you may want to visit Germany for your college or higher level studies. If so, you need to get an invitation letter from a German educational institution or a German university. A professor or head of your department in a selected German university will write an invitation for you. The professor or head of the department may write an invitation letter while mentioning the below details;

• Reason of visit
• Field of study
• Dates of study visit
• Duration of the degree
• Admission letter or a scholarship letter

Invitation Letter for Guest Scientists, or Scholars

As a scholar or scientist, you might plan to visit a German university or a German research center. They can also invite you to deliver a lecture in a seminar or a conference to the young students, scientists, researchers, or scholars. You may also be invited to give a presentation or to contribute to some latest research. Whatever the reason could be, your host institute, university, or a research center should write an invitation letter for you so you may apply for a German visa easily. Your invitation letter should contain information as given below;

• Dates of your visit to the research center
• Reasons that they choose you as a scholar or scientist
• Activities you will do during your visit together

Invitation Letter for Official Delegations

Being the representative of the government or an organization, you might plan an official visit to Germany. Delegates will get an invitation letter from the organization where they will visit in Germany. The letter must explain below points;

• Relationship with the organization in Germany
• Discuss policies if any
• Mention the workshop if any plan to attend
• Explain how the events will be funded
• Dates and duration of the visit

Invitation Letter for Training and Internships

Here is another reason to visit Germany. People might plan to visit Germany for training or to do some kind of internship. If so, you need your invitation letter from the training institute or company. Your trainer or supervisor must write an invitation letter for you while stating these things in your invitation letter.

• Duties and responsibilities during internship
• Dates of training or internship 
• Topic of the training
• Module covered in the training workshop
• Field of job during internship 
• Acceptance letter for training or internship
• Information of the person who will cover the expenses

Invitation Letter for Trade and Fair Exhibitions

Last but not least, you might visit Germany to attend a trade or fair exhibition and the organization organizing the trade and fair exhibition will send you an invitation letter. Writer should address the letter directly to the person whom the invitation is to send. The invitation letter must have;

• Dates of the exhibition
• Your full name
• Name of the company you are working in or organization details you belongs to

Process to Apply for A Visitor Visa

The process is simple if you read and follow carefully. A step-by-step guide is given here to explain the process of applying for a visitor visa. Let us read it carefully;

• First, the person visiting Germany should have a valid passport. If he or she does not have it, apply immediately.
• Visit your KVR office to get the invitation letter.
• Send this letter to the person you want to invite to Germany.
• Get health insurance.
• Book air tickets.
• Check the list of documents.
• Check the requirements for a photograph.
• Get a visa from the German embassy.

Format of An Invitation Letter

The letter of invitation is a bit complicated but can be easy if you know how to write it and what to mention in it. If you have read this article in detail, you know everything which is necessary to add in your invitation letter. Now, you need to learn how to write this information in your invitation letter. Take a deep breath and start writing it, you will find it super easy. Once you complete writing your invitation letter, it must be signed by the person in Germany who is planning to invite you to Germany. Your invitation letter should be in a formal language to address the situation in a concise way. Letter is to address the formal institution that is the German embassy. The format of the German invitation letter should include the below information in general;

• Name of embassy
• Address and phone number of embassy
• Name of the applicant
• Passport number of the applicant
• Country of residence where applicant lives
• Address and phone number of the applicant
• Name and contact details of the person inviting applicant to Germany
• Dates and duration of the Germany visit 
• Reason of the visit
• Evidence of the relationship between applicant and the person inviting the applicant
• Final remarks
• Signatures of the person inviting someone to Germany

Final Thoughts

So, this is all about an invitation letter to invite your loved ones to Germany. Whatever the purpose is, check the format and required documents carefully so you may get your invitation letter easily and your application process goes smoothly. All the best in your application process and have a good time with the visitors in Germany. Cheers!

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Family reunion for children.

Please make sure that you present all the documents applicable as per the checklist when taking your appointment at VFS Global/ the competent German Mission. Failure to do so may result in our inability to process your application and you having to book a new appointment.

Please prepare two identical application sets consisting of copies of the above-mentioned documents and bring all your original certificates along. Please DO NOT staple any documents.

In case a document is not set up in German or English, it has to be submitted together with a notary attested English translation.

Minors regardless of age have to be personally present when applying and have to be accompanied by their legal guardian or third person duly authorized by the legal guardian. This written authorization has to be attested by a German notary public together with a valid photo-ID or by submitting the declaration of consent .

These are the documents necessary to make a complete application:

• Valid passport , issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least another year as of date of visa application; passports with observations regarding name, date of birth, place of birth and sex cannot be accepted; passport must have at least two empty pages
• application form , completed online with VIDEX - printed out twice and both forms duly signed by the guardian(s)
• 2 identical passport photos according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
• Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information - duly completed & signed
• Copy of the first and last page and all pages containing entry stamps/visas of the child’s passport (A4 size copy)
• Copy of the first and last page/ data pages and all pages containing entry stamps/visas of the parents’ passports (A4 size copy)
• If applicable, copy of the parent’s or parents’ residence permit ('Aufenthaltstitel') Please note: This is not necessary if the child applies for a visa at the same time as the parent(s). If both parents already have residence permits, copies of both have to be included in the application.
• Certificate of residence (' Meldebescheinigung ') of the parent or the parents living in Germany, not older than 6 months Please note: This is not necessary if the child applies for a visa at the same time as the parent(s).
• Birth certificate issued under the “Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969”
• If the child was born in India less than a year before the visa application to parents that already reside outside India: proof of pregnancy , such as 'Mutterpass', doctor’s letter, ultra-sound pictures or similar
• If applicable, School Certificate mentioning parentage and date of birth
• Proof of marriage of the parents : a) if the marriage was performed according to the Hindu Marriage Act : - Marriage registration certificate - Temple or Gurudwara or Priest certificate - Conversion certificate, if applicable - Several photographs showing that the essential rites have been performed (i.a. Pheras, Saptapadi/ Anand Karaj) b) if the marriage was performed according to Sharia Law : - Marriage registration certificate - Nikahnama - Conversion certificate, if applicable - Several photographs (i.e. bridal couple signing the Nikahnama, Qazi, witnesses) c) if the marriage was performed according to Special Marriage Act (“Court Marriage”, “Civil Marriage”) - Certificate of Marriage according to Section 13 Special Marriage Act - Photographs of marriage or function d) if the marriage was performed according to the Christian Marriage Act : - Marriage registration certificate, if Compulsory Registration Marriage Act is in force - Marriage certificate issued by licensed Church - Conversion certificate, if applicable - Photographs of marriage or function e) if the marriage did not take place in India or in Germany : marriage certificate with apostille/ legalization, if applicable
• If applicable: Divorce judgement and decree of the parents
• If applicable: Death Certificate of parent
• If the reunion is intended with only one parent in Germany and the other stays in India or in another country: Proof of sole custody of the parent (such as custody order in a divorce decree, custody decree) OR a declaration of consent by the parent not moving to Germany, signed in person in front of the German mission
• If the child is 16 years of age or above AND it does intend to move to Germany together with both parents or a parent with sole custody OR to a parent with German or EU citizenship: Acknowledged proof of knowledge of German on the level C1 Acknowledged are certificates by Goethe Institute / Max Mueller Bhawan or telc GmbH

Please note that the German Missions reserve the right to ask for additional documents or to initiate a further investigation of certificates, for which additional fees would be charged. Click here to find out about the charges for the verification.

Processing times Processing times for applications of family reunion visa vary greatly. If the child applies for a visa at the same time as the non-German parent who intends to work as a highly skilled employee or within six months of that visa application, a visa could be issued within a few working days after a complete application was made. In all other cases, your application will also be forwarded to the competent immigration authorities in Germany, processing will take at least three months. If a verification of your documents is necessary, this will lengthen the processing time by approximately two to three months.

Please ensure that the child has family health insurance through a parent. Until family coverage has been established you might want to take a travel health insurance ( here you can find information on which travel health insurances are accepted).

Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.

Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a visa interview will delay your application and may result in the rejection of your application.

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