whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
DE country scene

Minor Child under 16 of a Third-Country Resident

GermanyFamily

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

Official link

Explore pathways in Germany Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A minor, unmarried child under 16 may join its parents, or the parent entitled to custody, without further conditions.

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 one of: a residence permit under section 7(1) third sentence or Chapter 2 Parts 3 or 4 (education/employment); section 25(1) or 25(2) first sentence; sections 28, 30, 31, 36 or 36a; any other residence permit except section 25(2) second sentence; an EU Blue Card, ICT Card or Mobile ICT Card; a settlement permit; or an EU long-term residence permit.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/BJNR195010004.html
    wenn beide Eltern oder der allein personensorgeberechtigte Elternteil einen der folgenden Aufenthaltstitel besitzt: 1. Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 7 Absatz 1 Satz 3 oder nach Abschnitt 3 oder 4, 2. Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 25 Absatz 1 oder Absatz 2 Satz 1, 3. Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 28, § 30, § 31, § 36 oder § 36a, 4. Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach den übrigen Vorschriften mit Ausnahme einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 25 Absatz 2 Satz 2, 5. Blaue Karte EU, ICT-Karte, Mobiler-ICT-Karte, 6. Niederlassungserlaubnis oder 7. Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt – EU.

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

Family reunification is refused where it is established that the family relationship was created solely to enable entry and residence in Germany. With joint custody, joining only one parent should be allowed if the other parent consents or a binding decision of a competent body exists. The official source does not list the documents used to prove the relationship.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Captured sources do not list the documents (e.g. birth certificates, custody papers) required to prove the relationship.
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/BJNR195010004.html
    Ein Familiennachzug wird nicht zugelassen, wenn 1. feststeht, dass die Ehe oder das Verwandtschaftsverhältnis ausschließlich zu dem Zweck geschlossen oder begründet wurde, dem Nachziehenden die Einreise in das und den Aufenthalt im Bundesgebiet zu ermöglichen
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/BJNR195010004.html
    Bei gemeinsamem Sorgerecht soll eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach den Absätzen 1 und 2 auch zum Nachzug zu nur einem sorgeberechtigten Elternteil erteilt werden, wenn der andere Elternteil sein Einverständnis mit dem Aufenthalt des Kindes im Bundesgebiet erklärt hat oder eine entsprechende rechtsverbindliche Entscheidung einer zuständigen Stelle vorliegt.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

Adequate accommodation and a secure livelihood are necessary; sufficient living space must be available and the parent in Germany must hold a valid residence title.

See recorded sources

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 permit may be issued at most for the validity of the parent's permit and initially for at least one year. It must be extended, even without secured livelihood, while a custodial parent holds a residence or settlement permit and the child lives with that parent. At majority it becomes an independent right of residence; the same applies when a settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit is granted. The official source does not state the application steps or the rights received.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Captured sources do not describe the visa application steps.

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

Explore more pathways in Germany · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in Germany →