As the parent of a minor foreign national, you may be eligible for a residence permit if you are from a country outside the EU or the EEA and your child holds the nationality of a country outside the EU and the EEA.
In addition, you must intend to establish or continue living together with the child in Germany as a family (living together as a family generally means that you live with the child in the same residence).
Furthermore, the child living in Germany must
- hold a residence permit as a resettled refugee, a recognized asylum seeker, or a refugee, or
- hold a settlement permit for humanitarian, political, or international law reasons
and your presence in Germany must be necessary because no other parent with parental authority is residing in Germany.
The residence permit for parents to join a minor child is a temporary residence permit. It is granted for the duration 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 Foreigners’ Registration Office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.
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.
- Fees apply for the issuance of the residence permit. The timing and method of payment vary depending on the agency.
Section 36(1) 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.
