Applying for a residence permit for a foreign child to join a German parent

• If required for entry into Germany, a national visa for the child must be applied for at a German diplomatic mission abroad before entering the country.
• After entering the country, the child must apply for a residence permit at the immigration office before the period of visa-free stay or the validity of the visa ends.
• Find out whether the relevant immigration office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, an appointment must be made at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and the identity of the child as well as the available documents will be checked (please bring all documents, if possible in the original, to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, the child's fingerprints will be taken to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT card for short). Children under the age of six are not fingerprinted
• The foreigners authority orders the production of the eAT card from Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• One custodial parent has German citizenship.
• The child has a valid identity document.
• The child has the required visa if this was necessary for entry.
• The child is a minor at the time of application and is neither married nor divorced or widowed.
• The German parent has their habitual residence in Germany.
• The paternity or maternity of the child is proven.
• The German parent is actually and legally willing and able to establish a family relationship with the child moving to Germany. This is assumed to be the case if the parent has custody of the child. However, custody is not a prerequisite for the granting of a residence permit.
• There is no reason to expel the child.

• Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute) of the child and the German parent
• Visa of the child, if this was required for entry
• Current biometric photo of the child in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Birth certificate of the child
• Proof of acknowledgement of paternity if the parents are not married and are to join the German father.
• If one custodial parent remains abroad:
  • Proof of custody
  • Declaration of consent from the parent living abroad.

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration authority may require less or further proof.

• § Section 45 number 2 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• § Section 50 (1) sentence 1 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• § Section 28(1)(1) Residence Act (AufenthG)

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance required: Yes

• The residence permit is issued for a limited period, i.e. you will have to take care of extending the residence permit for the child yourself once it expires.
• Please ensure that the information you provide is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the Foreigners' Registration Office can process your application without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be to your disadvantage. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the cancellation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.

• Residence permit for family reasons Issued for the family reunification of a foreign minor child with a German parent.
• Right of unmarried underage children to join their German parent.
• Conditions for granting
  • The paternity or maternity of the child joining the family must be established.
  • The reunification must serve to establish a family community.
  • The child must be unmarried and not yet have reached the age of 18.
  • The German parent must have their habitual residence in Germany.
• Residence permits are issued for at least one year and extended as long as the family cohabitation continues.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence