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Child Aged 16 or 17 of a Third-Country Resident — General Route

GermanyFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Germany Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

Minor unmarried children aged 16 or 17 qualify to join their parents (or the parent with custody); no further conditions apply if they arrive with the parents (as a rule within six months), while later arrivals need German at C1 or a positive integration prognosis.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

Both parents, or the parent with sole custody, must hold a qualifying title: a temporary residence permit (listed grounds), an EU Blue Card, ICT Card, Mobile ICT Card, permanent settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • AufenthG English translation only reflects amendments up to 8 May 2024 (Art. 3 Act of 8 May 2024); later amendments not checked.
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_aufenthg/englisch_aufenthg.html
    (1) The minor unmarried child of a foreigner is to be granted a temporary residence permit if the parents or the parent having the sole right of care and custody hold one of the following residence titles: 1.  a temporary residence permit in accordance with section 7 (1) sentence 3 or Divisions 3 or 4, 2.  a temporary residence permit in accordance with section 25 (1) or (2) sentence 1 first alternative, 3.  a temporary residence permit in accordance with sections 28, 30, 31, 36 or 36a, 4.  a temporary residence permit in accordance with the other provisions, with the exception of a temporary residence permit in accordance with section 25 (2) sentence 1 second alternative, 5.  an EU Blue Card, an ICT Card, a Mobile ICT Card, a permanent settlement permit or 6.  an EU long-term residence permit.

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Where parents share custody, joining just one parent requires the other parent's consent or a binding decision of a competent authority. The official source does not list documents proving parentage.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • AufenthG English translation only reflects amendments up to 8 May 2024 (Art. 3 Act of 8 May 2024); later amendments not checked.
  • No list of documents proving parentage found.
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_aufenthg/englisch_aufenthg.html
    (3) As a general rule, where parents share the right of care and custody, a temporary residence permit pursuant to subsections (1) or (2) is also to be granted for the purpose of joining just one parent, if the other parent has consented to the child’s residence in Germany or if a competent authority has reached a legally binding decision to this effect.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

The child's permit is extended while a custodial parent holds a residence title and the child lives with them; when the child comes of age it becomes an independent right of residence. The official source does not state the application steps.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • AufenthG English translation only reflects amendments up to 8 May 2024 (Art. 3 Act of 8 May 2024); later amendments not checked.
  • Application steps not stated.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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