Germany is known for its strong economy, world-class education system, and excellent quality of life. As a result, it has become an increasingly popular destination for immigration. If you are married to a German citizen or permanent resident, you may qualify for a German spouse visa to move to Germany and live with your partner.
The spouse visa allows the dependents of German residents to immigrate and gain residence rights. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about getting a Germany dependent visa in 2024 as a spouse, including:
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Germany spouse visa in 2024, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be legally married to a German citizen or permanent resident. Registered/civil partnerships also qualify.
- Your spouse must have suitable accommodation in Germany for you to live together.
- Your spouse must have a regular income high enough to support you financially.
- You must prove basic conversational German language skills (A1 level).
- You must pass the integration assessment test at the embassy.
- You must have valid health insurance coverage.
In addition, you will need to provide proof that your marriage is genuine and not one of convenience to immigrate. Factors like shared finances, photos, travel history, and knowledge of your spouse will matter.
Required Documents
When applying for the Germany spouse visa in 2024, you must submit certain documents as proof to the embassy.This includes:
- A valid passport
- Your marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Proof of German language skills
- Health insurance coverage
- Proof of financial support
- Accommodation details
- Flight itinerary
In addition, you may need additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as divorce decrees, custody papers if you have kids from a previous marriage, employment termination documents, etc.
Complete Application Process
Below are the steps to apply for a spouse visa to Germany in 2024:
1. Submit Online Application
- Go to the German Missions portal for visa appointments. Create an account and fill out the application form for a national spouse visa.
- Pay visa fees. Schedule your biometric appointment.
2. Attend Biometric Appointment
- Visit the embassy at your given date/time. Get your fingerprints and photo taken.
- Submit all supporting documents in original + photocopy.
- Complete integration assessment test.
3. Get Health Check-Up
- Schedule and complete your medical check-up with an approved doctor.
- Submit the medical test results to the embassy.
4. Interview at Embassy
- Attend your in-person interview on the given date.
- Answer questions about your relationship, plans in Germany, finances, etc.
5. Get Approval
- If approved, your passport with visa sticker will be returned by courier.
- Contact your spouse and start planning your move!
Visa Fees
The Germany spouse visa fees for 2024 are:
- Visa Fee: 75 EUR
- Medical Check: Up to 100 EUR
- Integration Course: 100 EUR
Additional fees may apply for translation services, flights, accommodation, etc. as needed.
Processing Time
Currently, the average processing time for Germany family reunion visas is 6-8 weeks. However, delays are common so you should account for up to 12 weeks of processing time after submission of all documents.You can check the status of your visa application online through the portal.
Tips for Getting Approved
Here are some top tips for having a smooth spouse visa application process:
- Prove genuine relationship – Provide lots of proof like photos, chat history, travel tickets, insurance documents, etc. showing you have met and are in continuous contact.
- Learn basic German – Reaching A1 language level shows commitment to integrate. Sign up for online classes.
- Get complete health check-up – Don’t ignore any medical tests required or it can lead to delays/rejections.
- Have sufficient funds – Show your spouse earns enough yearly income to support your living costs through bank statements and employment letters. Minimum needed is €10,236 per year.
- Book flight after approval – Don’t buy flight tickets in advance before your visa is approved.
Following these tips and the complete application process above will help ensure you get your dependent visa successfully!
Bottom Line
The Germany spouse visa allows spouses of German residents to immigrate and gain residence permits. By meeting the eligibility criteria, preparing strong supporting documents, and completing all required steps, you can successfully get approved.
For more details on moving to Germany as a nurse or healthcare professional from your country, check out the Jobs and Guidelines sections.Hope this guide helps explain everything you need to know about getting a Germany family reunion visa in 2024! Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions.
