Residence permit for the purposes of family reunion with a German child
General information
This residence permit can be applied for by a parent who is the primary caregiver for a German underage child and if the child is living in Germany.
Legal basis
§ 28 Section 1, Number 3 Residence Act
Documents/ forms to be submitted
You can submit this application completely online. If you are not able to use the online application, please use the "Residence permit application/Application for renewal of a temporary residence permit" (PDF 227 KB) and submit the documents by mail.
First issue
- Declaration of support (see below)
- Visa for family reunion (copy)
- Valid passport (copy)
- Birth certificate of child (copy)
- additionally: custody declaration in the case of unmarried parents (copy)
- Copy of identity document of the other parent (ID card/passport) (copy)
- Rental contract (copy)
Extension
- Declaration of support (see below)
- Valid passport (copy)
- Rental contract (only necessary if the address has changed) (copy)
Process and procedure
Please submit your application and related documents via online application. You will be invited to collect your biometric data after a decision has been made on your application. After the decision about your application, you will be invited to have your biometric data recorded.
Costs and fees
- Issue: 100 euros
- Extension: 93 euros
If you receive benefits from the Jobcenter (unemployment benefit II) or the Social Office (social assistance according to the social security act XII), you may not need to pay the fees. You need to submit your current benefits letter (Leistungsbescheid) for this.
Payment possibilities:
- Paying by cash
- Paying by EC card
Paying by credit card is possible.