A step-by-step guide to applying for Germany's family reunification visa

If your spouse, registered partner or dependent child is living in Germany, you may be eligible to join them through the country's family reunification visa. The long-term Type D national visa allows eligible family members to enter Germany and later obtain a residence permit.

Here's a step-by-step guide to the application process.

Check if you need a visa

Before applying, confirm whether you need an entry visa.


Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States generally do not require an entry visa for family reunification. They can travel to Germany first and apply for a residence permit at the local Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) after arrival.

Applicants from most other countries, including India, must obtain a family reunification visa before travelling to Germany.

Gather the required documents

Prepare all documents before submitting your application. The standard requirements include:

• Completed and signed visa application form
• Valid passport
• Two biometric passport photographs
• Marriage certificate (for spouses) or birth certificate (for children), where applicable
• German language certificate at A1 level, if required
• Copy of the sponsor's passport or residence permit
• Sponsor's employment contract
• Latest salary slips
• Rental agreement
• Registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
• Travel health insurance
• Proof of payment of the visa fee

Depending on your case, the German mission may ask for additional documents.

Submit your application

Applications are submitted through the German embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence. In locations where it is available, applicants can first complete and upload their application through Germany's Consular Services Portal, where documents are checked before the in-person appointment.

Attend the visa appointment

Most applicants must appear in person at the German mission. During the appointment, officials verify original documents, collect biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, and collect the visa fee.

Wait for processing

After submission, the application is forwarded to the Ausländerbehörde responsible for the sponsor's place of residence in Germany for approval. According to the Federal Foreign Office, processing generally takes one to three months, although timelines can vary depending on individual cases.

Travel to Germany and apply for a residence permit

Once the visa is approved, applicants can travel to Germany. The family reunification visa is issued as a temporary national visa, so holders must register their address after arrival and apply for a residence permit before the visa expires.

Who can apply?

The family reunification visa is generally available to:

• Spouses of German citizens or legal residents
• Registered civil partners
• Dependent children joining eligible family members in Germany

Applicants must also meet the relevant eligibility conditions, including language requirements where applicable. For example, spouses of German nationals are generally required to provide proof of A1-level German language proficiency, unless an exemption applies.