Are you marrying someone who lives in Germany? Or are you already married to them? Then the usual way to join your spouse is called family reunification. Some people call it spouse reunification. Many Indian couples go through it every year. But it has several steps in two countries. The paperwork can feel heavy when you are also planning a wedding and a move.
This guide shows how the steps usually work. It will help you and your family know what to expect. It is general information, not legal advice. German rules change from time to time. So always check the current rules with the German mission in India. Also check the official German government websites before you act.
Who can use the family reunification route
Family reunification lets a spouse come to live in Germany with their partner. The partner can be a German citizen. Or they can be a foreign national who lives in Germany legally with a suitable residence title. The partner in Germany is often called the sponsor or reference person. In general, both of you must be adults. The marriage must be legal, valid and recognised. You must also plan to live together in Germany as a married couple.
- Spouses of German citizens. This includes Germans of Indian origin who hold German citizenship.
- Spouses of non-EU nationals who hold a residence permit. Examples are skilled workers, EU Blue Card holders, researchers, permanent residents and, in some cases, students.
- Spouses of EU citizens who live in Germany usually take a different route. It comes under EU free movement rules and has its own rules.
Arranged marriages are common, and they are not a problem in themselves. What matters is that the marriage is real and legally valid. Forced marriages are not accepted. Marriages of convenience are not accepted either. Officials may ask questions to make sure the relationship is real.
The national D visa from India
An Indian spouse usually needs a national visa before travelling to Germany for a long stay. It is often called a D visa. You apply for it from India. You apply through the German Embassy in New Delhi or the German Consulate General for your state. The mission may use a service provider for appointments and documents. So read the instructions on the mission's own website with care.
The German mission usually sends your application to the foreigners' office in your spouse's city. That office checks your spouse's side of the case. This is one reason the process can take time. Do not book flights you cannot get a refund on. Do not resign from your job either. Wait until the visa has actually been issued.
Documents you are likely to need
- A valid passport and the filled-in application form. Add photos as the mission asks.
- Your marriage certificate. It must be authenticated under the mission's current rules for Indian documents. Add a translation if needed.
- Proof of your basic German language skills, unless an exception applies to you.
- A copy of your spouse's passport. Add their German residence permit or proof of German citizenship.
- Documents that show where your spouse is registered to live in Germany. In many cases you also need documents on their pay, job and home.
The mission publishes a checklist for spouse visas. Follow it exactly. Bring the originals and copies too. Missing documents cause many delays. So do documents where the details do not match.
The basic German language requirement and its exceptions
As a general rule, you must show simple, basic German before the visa is issued. You usually prove this with a certificate from a known language test provider. One example is the Goethe-Institut. Many applicants in India start learning German while the wedding is being planned. This can save months later.
There are some important exceptions. Depending on your case, you may not need to prove German skills in advance. For example:
- If your spouse holds certain residence titles, such as an EU Blue Card. Or if they fall into some other skilled-worker or research groups.
- If you cannot learn German because you are ill or have a disability.
- In some other cases set out in German law. Some of these depend on your background or on your spouse's nationality.
Exceptions are decided case by case. The rules have also changed in recent years. Ask the German mission which exceptions apply to you today. Do not rely on what worked for a friend or relative. Even if German is not needed for the visa, learn it anyway. It will make daily life, work and friendships much easier.
Living space and income requirements
Your spouse may not be a German citizen. Then officials usually expect them to show two things. First, that they can support the family without public funds. Second, that they have enough living space for the two of you. In practice, this often means job contracts, payslips and a rental agreement or proof of property. For spouses of German citizens, the income rules are usually more relaxed. But you should still check what applies to you.
There is no single figure that fits everyone. The amounts and housing standards can depend on the city. They can also depend on your family's case. Ask the foreigners' office or the German mission what they expect now. Do not rely on online estimates.
After you arrive: registration and the residence permit
The visa you get in India is usually valid for a limited time. It lets you enter Germany. Then you apply for a residence permit there. After you arrive, you usually need to:
- Register your address at the local residents' office. Do this within the time the law requires.
- Apply for your residence permit before your visa ends. You apply at the local foreigners' office, called the Ausländerbehörde.
- Go to any appointment for fingerprints and photos. Then collect your electronic residence permit card.
- Check if you can join, or must join, an integration course. It includes German language classes.
In big cities, appointments at the foreigners' office can be booked up weeks ahead. So your spouse may want to book one as soon as your travel date is fixed. Your residence permit will say whether you can work. In many cases spouses are allowed to work. But always check the words on your own permit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the German language certificate until the last moment, if you need one.
- Sending documents where names or dates are spelled differently. Check the passport, marriage certificate and other documents match.
- Thinking your spouse's pay or home will be accepted, without checking what is asked for now.
- Going to Germany on a short-stay Schengen visa and hoping to switch to living there. This is generally not possible for this purpose.
- Missing the last date to apply for the residence permit after you arrive.
Beware of fraudulent visa agents
No agent, website or person can promise a German visa. Only the German authorities make the decision. Be very careful of anyone who asks for large cash payments. Be careful of anyone who promises faster processing through contacts. Never accept offers to supply documents, certificates or bank statements. False documents can lead to refusal and long bans. If you need help, think about a qualified immigration lawyer or a registered adviser. And always check the official websites yourself.
Meravyaah is a web-based marriage introduction service. It is for Indian and NRI singles and their families. We have members in many countries. We do not offer visa, immigration or legal help. We cannot help with any form or application. If a profile looks wrong, you can report it. This includes anyone who offers visa help in return for money.
Where to get official, up-to-date information
Rules, fees, processing times and paper lists all change. This article is general information only. Before you apply, read the official pages. Start with the spouse visa pages of the German Embassy and Consulates in India. Then read the German Federal Foreign Office site and the official Make it in Germany portal. Your case may be complicated. For example, you may have an earlier visa refusal, a past marriage or unusual documents. If so, think about speaking to a qualified immigration lawyer or adviser.