Applying for a residence permit for parents to join a minor foreigner
Service description
As the parent of a minor foreign national, you can obtain a residence permit if you come from a country outside the EU or the EEA and your child is a national of a country outside the EU or the EEA.
You should also want to establish or continue a family relationship with the child in Germany (a family relationship generally exists if you live with the child in the same home).
Furthermore, the child living in Germany should
- a residence permit as a resettlement refugee, recognised asylum seeker or refugee or
- a settlement permit for humanitarian, political or international law reasons
and your presence in Germany is required because there is no other parent with parental authority in Germany.
The residence permit for parents to join a minor child is a temporary residence permit. It is issued for the period of validity of the minor child's residence permit in Germany. If the residence permit of your minor child living in Germany is valid for less than one year, your residence permit will also be issued for this shorter period.
Under certain circumstances, the Immigration Office may oblige you to attend an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.
Procedure
The procedure is as follows:
- Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic applications for residence permits.
- If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT).
- In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office if necessary. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the eAT.
- If your application is granted, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT to be issued.
- After about six to eight weeks you can collect the eAT from the Foreigners' Registration Office.
- The eAT must always be collected in person.
- Fees are charged for the issue of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.
Who should I contact?
Please contact the responsible immigration office.
Prerequisites
- You have a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute and, if required for entry, an appropriate visa.
- Your child has not yet reached the age of 18.
- Your child is staying in Germany unaccompanied by a custodial parent.
- Your child has a residence permit as a resettlement refugee, recognised asylum seeker or recognised refugee or a settlement permit for humanitarian, political or international law reasons.
- There is no interest in deporting you.
- Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Which documents are required?
- Valid passport or passport substitute
- Current biometric photo
- Visa, if this was required for entry
- Proof of custody of the child to whom the reunification is to take place
- Birth certificate of the minor child to whom the reunification is to take place
- Residence permit of the minor child in Germany to whom the reunification is to take place
- Current registration certificate
In individual cases, the foreigners authority may request further documents.
What fees are incurred?
Issue of residence permit: EUR 100.00
Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be possible.
Notes:
- Additional fees may be incurred for issuing the residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit, which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.
- The time and form in which fees are charged and paid vary depending on the authority.
What deadlines do I have to observe?
- The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid visa or current residence permit expires or - if you are in Germany legally without a visa - within 90 days of entering the country.
- Objection period: 1 month
Processing time
about six to eight weeks.
Legal basis
§ Section 36 (1) Residence Act
Legal remedy
An appeal against a decision by the immigration authority can be lodged with the authority named in the decision within one month of notification of the decision. The appeal may be lodged in writing, in electronic form or for the record.
If the foreigners authority does not grant the objection, an action can be brought before the court named in the objection notice.
Applications / Forms
- Online procedure occasionally possible
- Written form required
- Personal appearance required
Further information
Portal of the BAMF:
German:
English:
Short text
- Residence permit for family reasons Issued for parents to join a minor foreigner
- Third-country national parents who wish to join their foreign minor children in Germany can obtain a residence permit for family reunification in order to establish or maintain family cohabitation if
- there is no parent with parental authority in Germany and
- the child has a residence permit as a resettlement refugee, recognised asylum seeker or refugee or
- has a settlement permit for humanitarian, political or international law reasons.
- The residence permit for parents to join a minor child is a temporary residence permit. It is issued for the period of validity of the residence permit of the foreign minor child.
- Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, you can apply online or in person.
- A fee is payable for the issue of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.
- Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence
Author
Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal- Residence permit for family reasons Issued for parents to join a minor foreigner in Saxony-Anhalt
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- Residence permit for family reasons Issued for parents to join a minor foreigner in Saxony-Anhalt
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