Residence permit for family members of Germans

Description

Who can apply for a residence permit?
Citizens of third countries. Third-country nationals are nationals from all countries with the exception of the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Visa procedure

As a rule, you will need a visa to enter Germany. This can be applied for at the German mission abroad(embassy or consulate) in your home country. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino do not require a visa to enter Germany.
EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa, residence permit or work permit.

After entering the country

You must first register your place of residence at the Citizens Office. There you will receive a confirmation of registration. This confirmation is often requested by other authorities or institutions as proof that you are registered in Munich.
You can then apply for your residence permit at the Foreigners Office.

Application

Before your visa/residence permit expires, you must apply for a residence permit. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entering the country. Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After your application has been checked, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.

Period of validity

The residence permit is usually issued for one year.

The residence permit will be extended upon application if the requirements are met. If the family cohabitation is terminated, it is generally not possible to extend the residence permit.

Employment opportunities

With the residence permit for family reunification, any gainful employment or self-employment is permitted. This information is stated on the electronic residence permit or the supplementary sheet.

Prerequisites

The main purpose of residence must be to live in a family partnership with a person of German nationality (German spouse or partner, German parent or German unmarried minor child) who has their habitual residence in Germany.

• Both spouses or same-sex partners must be of legal age. Both spouses or same-sex partners must have reached the age of 18.

• Basic German language skills. The foreign national must have basic German language skills (A1).

• The main residence of the partnership must be in Munich

Required documents

• Fully completed application form
• Valid passport or passport substitute
• Biometric passport photo(you will find photo machines at the Foreigners Office)
• Valid visa for entry for the purpose of family reunification (if required)
• Current notification from the Sozialbürgerhaus, if you receive benefits according to the Social Security Code II or XII

Further documents (depending on the purpose of residence):

In the case of a marriage/same-sex civil partnership with a person of German nationality

• Original marriage certificate (if necessary with certified translation, apostille or legalisation),
• Proof of basic German language skills level A1
• Personal appearance with partner at the appointment

For a minor, unmarried child of a German national

• Original birth certificate (if necessary with certified translation, apostille or legalisation),
• Proof of custody of the child,
• Personal appearance with the parent for the appointment

for a parent of an unmarried, underage German citizen

• Original birth certificate (if necessary with certified translation, apostille or legalisation),
• Child's passport of the German child,
• Proof of custody of the German child, proof of maintenance payments made in the last 12 months, if applicable

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Legal basis

§ Section 28 Residence Act