As the parent of a minor foreign national, you can obtain a residence permit if you come from a country outside the EU or the EEA and your child is a national of a country outside the EU and the EEA.
In addition, you should want to establish or continue a family life with the child in Germany (a family life usually exists if you live with the child in a shared apartment).
Furthermore, the child living in Germany should
- have a residence permit as a resettlement refugee, recognized asylum seeker, or refugee, or
- a settlement permit for humanitarian, political, or international law reasons
and your presence in Germany should be necessary because no other parent with parental custody is residing in Germany.
The residence permit for parents to join a minor child is a temporary residence permit. It is issued for the period of validity of the minor child's residence permit in Germany. If the residence permit of your minor child living in Germany is valid for less than one year, your residence permit will also be issued for this shorter period.
Under certain circumstances, the immigration office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.
The procedure is as follows:
- Depending on the immigration office and your request, it may be possible to apply online. Find out whether your immigration office offers electronic applications for residence permits.
- If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT).
- If you apply electronically, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the immigration office if necessary. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the eAT.
- If your application is approved, the Immigration Office will arrange for the eAT to be produced.
- After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
- The eAT must always be picked up in person.
- There are fees for issuing the residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.
Section 36(1) of the Residence Act
An appeal against a decision by the immigration authorities may be lodged with the authority named in the decision within one month of notification of the decision. The appeal may be lodged in writing, in electronic form, or for recording.
If the Foreigners' Registration Office does not grant the appeal, legal action may be taken before the court specified in the appeal decision.
about six to eight weeks.
The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence.
