Reunification of children from abroad
<p>For the purpose of family reunification, German or foreign nationals residing in Germany with a residence permit can have their foreign, underage and unmarried children join them.</p>
<p>Children do not have to be present in person for a provisional residence permit (fictitious certificate) to be issued, for example because not all documents have been submitted yet.</p>
<p>Parents can also collect the electronic residence permit (eAT) for their children under the age of 16 without authorisation.</p>
<p>These rules for family reunification do not apply to nationals (and their family members) from EU member states, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway.</p>
Abroad Children - fictitious certificate Electronic Family reunification Iceland Minors Norway Residence Residence permit Reunification causes fictitious married provisions underage unmarried

# Reunification of children from abroad

## Summary

Germans or foreigners who have a residence permit can have their foreign, underage and unmarried children join them.
## Description

For the purpose of family reunification, German or foreign nationals residing in Germany with a residence permit can have their foreign, underage and unmarried children join them.

Children do not have to be present in person for a provisional residence permit (fictitious certificate) to be issued, for example because not all documents have been submitted yet.

Parents can also collect the electronic residence permit (eAT) for their children under the age of 16 without authorisation.

These rules for family reunification do not apply to nationals (and their family members) from EU member states, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway.

## Responsible Department

KVR
## Required Documents

**Visa procedure:**

* Birth certificate and custody decision (if necessary) in the original or as a copy
* if no international/multilingual document is available: German, certified translation by a sworn translator in Germany

In individual cases, the German diplomatic mission abroad may require further documents.

**After entry, the Foreigners Office requires the following documents:**

* Fully completed [application form](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dms/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/antragaufenthaltstitel.pdf)
* Valid passport or passport replacement
* a current, biometric [passport photo](https://www.bundesdruckerei.de/system/files/dokumente/pdf/Fotomustertafel-72dpi.pdf)(of children of any age, although biometric suitability may be disregarded under certain circumstances)

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

## Prerequisites

**Visa procedure:**

Before foreign children can travel to Germany, they need a visa for family reunification, which they can apply for at the [German mission abroad](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aamt/auslandsvertretungen-node)(embassy or consulate) in their home country.

As soon as the visa application has been received from the responsible diplomatic mission abroad, the family member living here will be informed and may have to submit additional documents.

There are exceptions to the visa procedure for nationals from these countries: Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America as well as Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino.

Citizens from EU member states, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway do not require a visa

**After entering the country**

You must first register your residence at the [Citizens Office](https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/info/wohnsitz-anmelden-oder-ummelden/1063475/n0/). Children aged six and over must apply for a residence permit in person at the Foreigners Office.

**Application for a residence permit**

Before the child's visa/residence permit expires, the residence permit must be applied for. If visa-free entry is possible for the child, a residence permit must be applied for at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entry. Please submit the [application form](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dms/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/antragaufenthaltstitel.pdf) and the required documents [online](https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/kontaktabhfamiliennachzug/index) or by post. After your application has been checked, you will receive an appointment from us for a personal interview.

## Fee Range

50 Euro

## Processing Time

10 to 12 weeks

## Legal Basis

§§ Sections 28, 29 and 32 AufenthG

## Further Links

* [Online information Processing status](https://www17.muenchen.de/EATWebSearch/)
* [General Data Protection Regulation](https://stadt.muenchen.de/infos/dsgvo-datenschutzgrundverordnung.html)
* [Application for a residence permit](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dms/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/fachspezifisch/HA-II/Auslaenderbehoerde/Dokumente/antragaufenthaltstitel.pdf)
* [Federal Foreign Office](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/)
* [Submit an application](https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/kontaktabhfamiliennachzug/index)
* [Contact form](https://service.muenchen.de/intelliform/forms/01/02/02/abhkontakt/index)

## Keywords

* Abroad
* Children - fictitious certificate
* Electronic
* Family reunification
* Iceland
* Minors
* Norway
* Residence
* Residence permit
* Reunification
* causes
* fictitious
* married
* provisions
* underage
* unmarried
