Applying for a residence permit for a foreign child to join a German parent

• If required for entry into Germany, an application for a national visa for the child must be made at a German diplomatic mission abroad prior to entry.
• After entering the country, an application for a residence permit for the child must be made to the Immigration Authority before the period of visa-free stay or the validity of the visa expires.
• Find out whether the relevant immigration authority allows applications to be submitted online or provides a specific application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, you must arrange an appointment with the Immigration Office. If you submit your application online, the Immigration Office will contact you once your application has been received to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and that of the child, as well as the documents you have provided, will be checked (please bring all documents with you to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• If your application is approved, the child’s fingerprints will be taken to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT card for short). No fingerprints are taken from children under the age of six.
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office commissions the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. Once it has been produced, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. As a general rule, the eAT card must be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

The immigration authority responsible for the applicant’s place of residence.

• A parent with parental responsibility holds German nationality.
• The child has a valid identity document.
• The child has the necessary visa, if one was required for entry.
• At the time of application, the child is a minor and is neither married, divorced nor widowed.
• The German parent has their habitual residence in Germany.
• Paternity or maternity in relation to the child has been established.
• The German parent is, in fact and in law, willing and able to establish a family life with the child who is joining them. This is presumed where the parent has custody of the child. However, custody is not a prerequisite for the granting of a residence permit.
• There are no grounds for the child’s deportation.

• A recognised and valid identity document (for example, a passport or passport substitute) for the child and the German parent
• The child’s visa, if this was required for entry
• A recent biometric photograph of the child in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Birth certificate of the child
• Proof of acknowledgement of paternity, if the parents are not married and the child is to join their German father.
• If a parent with custody remains abroad:
  • Proof of custody
  • Declaration of consent from the parent living abroad.

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the foreigners authority may require less or further evidence.

• Section 45(2) of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• Section 50(1) of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)

• Section 28(3) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

• Appeal against the decision of the Immigration Authority
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

• The residence permit is granted for a fixed period; this means that, once it has expired, you must apply for an extension of your child’s residence permit yourself.
• Please ensure that you provide accurate and complete information to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the Immigration Authority can process your application without significant delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be to your disadvantage. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the cancellation of residence rights that have already been granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.