You may join your German, minor, unmarried child if you are from a country outside the EU or the EEA, have custody of the German child, and intend to exercise that custody.
Custody encompasses both the right and the duty to care for, raise, supervise, and determine the child’s place of residence. A child is considered a minor if they have not yet reached the age of 18. A person is considered unmarried if they are not married and have never been married; a person living in a registered domestic partnership is also not considered unmarried.
If these requirements are met, you must be granted a residence permit.
You may also join your child even if you do not have custody. The prerequisite is that you already live with your child in a family household in Germany. A family unit is presumed to exist if the family members maintain regular contact with one another that goes beyond mere visits. If the requirements are met, the authorities will exercise their discretion in deciding whether to grant the residence permit.
Under certain circumstances, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.
The residence permit is a temporary residence permit and is issued for at least one year.
- You must have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and, if required for entry, an appropriate visa.
- Your child is a minor, unmarried, and a German citizen.
- You have custody of your child and wish to exercise it, or, as a parent without custody, you are already living with the child in Germany as part of a family unit.
- There are no grounds for deportation against you.
Your presence does not endanger or harm the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The process is as follows:
- Depending on the immigration office and the nature of your request, it may be possible to apply online. Check whether your immigration office offers the option to apply for a residence permit electronically.
- If you can only apply in person, schedule an appointment with the immigration office. During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be reviewed (be sure to bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken to issue an electronic residence permit (eAT).
- If you submit your application online, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to schedule an appointment at the office, if necessary. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be reviewed (please bring them with you to the appointment), and your fingerprints will be taken to issue the eAT.
- If your application is approved, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will arrange for the eAT to be issued.
- After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT at the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
The eAT must generally be picked up in person.
Section 28(1), sentence 1, number 3, and sentence 4 of the Residence Act
An appeal against a decision by the immigration authorities may 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 recording.
If the Foreigners' Registration Office does not grant the appeal, legal action may be taken before the court specified in the appeal decision.
about six to eight weeks.
The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence.
