Visa for subsequent immigration of a child

Subsequent immigration of children at a glance

A foreign minor has the option of immigrating to join a parent with custodial rights living in Germany on condition that the relevant requirements are met. The application for the minor must be submitted by a person who holds custody.

If the parent which the child wishes to join (reference person) is not a German national, the parent’s German residence permit must be submitted. If the reference person has not yet been issued a residence permit in Germany, they must at least have a German visa for long-term residence or have already submitted a visa application.

In principle, you will need a visa to enter Germany to join your family. Information regarding possible exemptions from the visa requirement can be found on the Website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Applications for subsequent immigration that are governed by the European law on the free movement of persons can currently not be submitted online via the Consular Services Portal. Please contact your relevant German Mission in these cases.

Please note:

Some German missions abroad work together with service providers to check applications. These service providers help to ensure that applications are processed quickly and smoothly and may charge a service fee for this. You will find out during the application process whether the German mission or consulate responsible for you works with a service provider and what service fee is charged.

Online application for the visa for subsequent immigration of a child

Register on the Consular Services Portal and apply online for your visa.

Visa for subsequent immigration of a child

For a child to immigrate to join a custodial parent, the following basic requirements must be fulfilled, among others:
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The child submitting the application has not yet reached the age of 18 at the time of application and the parent living in Germany has sole or joint custody of the child.

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If over 16 years of age: The child submitting the application can typically provide proof of German language skills at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Further information regarding applying for and obtaining a visa

The relationship of descent between the child submitting the application and the reference person must be proven by the corresponding details on the birth certificate. If the relationship of descent is not apparent from the birth certificate, proof must be provided by other official documents, such as an extract from the civil status register or an acknowledgement of paternity with the mother’s declaration of consent.

Proof must also be provided that the parent who the child is to join (reference person) has custody of the child. The provisions on custody generally depend on the child’s habitual place of residence.

If there have been no changes in the child’s custodial circumstances since the child was born, you can usually prove custody rights by means of the child’s birth certificate, a marriage certificate, an extract from the civil status register, a civil status certificate or a joint declaration of custody by both parents. Otherwise, further evidence may be required, such as a divorce decree or a court decision on custody.

If a person with custody remains abroad, this person must also provide a declaration of consent for the child’s relocation.

Proof of the required German language skills can be provided with a recognised language certificate. If no language certificate is available because the language test for the current language learning endeavours has not yet been sat, this can be submitted later during the visa application process and prior to reaching 18 years of age.

In some exceptional cases, proof of German language skills may be waived. Such an exception may exist in the case of a joint relocation or if the child immigrates no later than six months after the parents’ immigration. An exception can also be made in cases where there is little need for integration – for example, if the subsequently immigrating child attends a German school, has already lived in Germany for a longer period of time or has grown up in a German-speaking household.

If the parent living in Germany or their spouse living with them in a family partnership is a gainfully employed skilled worker, the child joining them does not need to have any language skills in this case either. Proof of the relevant residence permit and proof of marriage or registered civil partnership must be provided for this purpose.

You will receive details when you complete the questionnaire in conjunction with the application.

Still have questions?

Frequently asked questions and answers with more information on how to use the Consular Services Portal and the online application process can be found in our FAQ section. Take a look and see if you can find the answer to your question.

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Make it in Germany

The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on all consular services as well as on German foreign policy.

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Federal Foreign Office

The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on all consular services as well as on German foreign policy.

Find out more