Requirements for Visa for family reunion (Long-term Visa)

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1 As of April 2018 Requirements for Visa for family reunion (Long-term Visa) Visa forms are free of charge Information regarding visa procedures, requirements and individual applications should be obtained from the visa officers at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, not from Security Staff or any other third party. Do not employ agents, travel agencies or other middlemen. Booking of an appointment is only possible through the website of the Embassy Please note the conduct of the visa application procedure 1. Booking of an appointment Applicants applying for a visa for family reunion have to book an appointment through the online appointment booking system on the website of the Embassy. 2. Appearance in person All applicants have to apply in person at the Embassy. 3. Processing time Most long stay visa applications are forwarded to the responsible immigration or labour authority in Germany for approval. The entire procedure may, therefore take 6 to 10 weeks or longer. Applicants are encouraged to process their applications well in advance. 4. Processing fee The processing fee is FCFA for adults and FCFA for children applications of children or spouses of a German citizen or another EU-citizen are free of charge Should the visa be denied the Embassy will not refund any money. 5. No guarantee for issuing of visa Compliance with the visa conditions does not automatically guarantee that a visa will be issued. In addition to the standard requirements other supporting documents may be required, depending on the specific nature of your application. Furthermore, after having obtained a visa, the 1

2 border authorities may refuse entry into the Schengen Area upon arrival (Art. 30 Visa Code). 6. Embassy keeps certain documents The Embassy does not return forms, photos or any other documents in the case of refusal or if the application is withdrawn. Original documents will be returned after processing the application. 7. Handling of fake or forged documents Fake or forged documents will not be returned and may be sent to the relevant authorities. The submission of fake or forged documents is a 8. Please do not send documents directly to the Embassy reason of refusal. Supporting documents should not be send to the Embassy directly but only to the applicant. Documents without file reference number (five- digit) cannot be considered. 9. Submission of additional documents If you are asked to supply additional documents during your appointment please indicate always the file reference number (five- digit) mentioned on your receipt when handing them in. 10. Translation of documents All documents that are not in German, English or French must be presented with a certified translation. 11. Independent examination of visa If a visa is granted it is your duty to verify whether the information printed on the visa sticker is correct and complete and to report any errors to the Embassy immediately. 2

3 All documents listed below (except the application form) are to be presented in original as well as two legible copies. + Original 2 Copies Additional documents may be required. General requirements 2 signed application forms 2 completely filled-in application forms, duly signed by the applicant The application form of minors less than 16 years of age has to be signed by both parents Minors between 16 and 18 years of age have to submit written consent by both parents and copy of both parents passports 3 passport pictures 3 recent passport pictures with white background (please do not attach to form) Valid passport valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and 2 copies of the bio data page. ID-card ID-card and two copies Birth certificate Birth certificate of the applicant and 2 copies Proof of residence of the reference person 2 Copies of the reference persons passport Proof of residence of the reference person living in Germany (Meldebescheinigung) with two copies 2 copies of all pages of the passport of the reference person with stamps and entries in Germany Visa for joining the spouse Your spouse is living in Germany and you want to move to your spouse Marriage Certificate Marriage certificate and 2 copies Divorce certificates (if applicable) All divorce certificates of both spouses and 2 copies German divorce certificate with proof of legal effectiveness (Rechtskraftsvermerk) A1 German language certificate A1 certificate of a standardized language exam according to the Standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). This currently applies for the following German language certificates: Start Deutsch 1 of the Goethe Institute or the telc GmbH, Grundstufe Deutsch 1 of the Österreiches Sprachdiplom (ÖSD) and TestDaF of the TestDaF Institute e.v. 3

4 In, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde, only the Goethe Institute fulfils these requirements. Visa application for an intended marriage /establishment of a civil union in Germany You have a fiancé (e) in Germany and you are planning to get married after your arrival in Proof of application at the civil registry office Germany A certificate from the marriage registrar about the application for marriage with the intended date of marriage Divorce certificates (if applicable) All divorce certificates of both spouses and 2 copies German divorce certificate with proof of legal effectiveness (Rechtskraftsvermerk) A1 German language certificate A1 certificate of a standardized language exam according to the Standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). This currently applies for the following German language certificates: Start Deutsch 1 of the Goethe Institute or the telc GmbH, Grundstufe Deutsch 1 of the Österreiches Sprachdiplom (ÖSD) and TestDaF of the TestDaF Institute e.v. In, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde, only the Goethe Institute fulfils these requirements. Formal obligation letter Once all the requirements are fulfilled and the visa can be granted, a formal obligation according to of the German Residence Act confirmed by the local immigration office in Germany ( Verpflichtungserklärung ) will have to be presented for the time between entry into Germany and marriage / establishment of civil union. Health insurance It is also recommended to have sufficient health insurance cover for the time between entry into Germany and date of marriage / establishment of civil union. Family reunion for children You need to apply for this visa if a child is supposed to join one or both parents in Germany 2 visa application forms 2 visa-application forms which are filled out completely and signed. The application forms must be signed by the person(s) who has/have custody of the child (normally the parents!). The signature of the parent in Germany has to be certified by a notary public or by a competent local authority. 4

5 Proof of German language skills Children over the age of 15 years who want to join a non German parent have to present proof of German language skills in form of C1 certificate of a standardized language exam according to the Standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) In, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde, only the Goethe Institute fulfils these requirements Children who want to join a German parent do not Consent of other parent or custody order have to proof German language skills Affidavit of the other parent giving his/her consent to the application of the child to join the parent in Germany (with two copies) + travel clearance for Gambia If such consent cannot be presented, a custody order from a court + travel clearance for Gambia must be presented If the parents do not have joint custody and the child will not live with both parents in Germany a custody order + travel clearance for Gambia (with 2 copies) Visa for joining a(n) (unborn) German child You are the mother or the father of a German child and want to join this German child in Germany. It also applies if the parent wants to move to Germany together with the child. 2 Passport copies of your child 2 copies of the German passport of your child 2 copies of the birth certificate of your child Marriage certificate of the parents (if applicable) 2 copies of the birth certificate of your child Marriage certificate of the parents (if applicable) Divorce certificates (if applicable) All divorce certificates of both spouses and 2 copies German divorce certificate with proof of legal effectiveness (Rechtskraftvermerk) Acknowledgement of paternity (if applicable) Acknowledgement of paternity (if applicable) and 2 copies Custody declaration (if applicable) Custody declaration (if applicable) and 2 copies 5

6 Recognition of foreign documents ese documents ese documents must be pre-certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and legalized by the German Embassy (see infomration sheet on Legalization ) Documents from Cabo Verde Documents from Cabo Verde must have an apostil stamp. (see information sheet on Apostille). Documents from The Gambia or Guinea-Bissau Documents from The Gambia or Guinea-Bissau may not be legalized; document verification might become necessary in due course of the application process. (see Information sheet on document verification). 6