Visa requirements for family reunion

Please note that applications must be handed in by the applicant in person. Any matters pertaining to an application will only be discussed with the applicant.

Visa applications may be submitted at this Embassy by appointment only. An online appointment system is available at www.prag.diplo.de/Terminvergabe.

A residence title for foreigners can be issued directly in the federal territory if the person is entitled to reside in the federal territory on the basis of a residence title issued by another Schengen state, provided that the requirements for an entitlement to be issued are met (usually in the case of family reunification with Germans).

⬜ 1. 1 Application form

• Comletely filled out, signed by hand
• Link to the VIDEX-form: https://videx-national.diplo.de

⬜ 2. Passport + 1 copy of all relevant sides

• The Applicant’s passport has to have at least two blank pages.

• Please copy the laminated data page and all pages containing visas and stamps.

• Please note, that the validity of the passport must exceed the duration of the visa by at least 3 months.

⬜ 3. Residence permit + 1 copy

• Proof of residence permit for the Czech Republic. Please copy both sides of the residence permit card.

• Please note that the Embassy can only accept visa applications from persons habitually residing in the Czech Republic (for at least 6 months).

  In case of doubt, the submission of further documents, evidence is required (eg. Rent contract, work contract).

⬜ 4. 2 biometric passport photos

• Two recently taken biometric passport photographs (in colour, not older than 6 months, created against white background, with a size of 45 x 35 milimetres).

⬜ 5. Proof of family relation with the family member living in Germany + 1 copy

• e.g certificate of marriage or certificate of birth, civil partnership contracts, acknowledgement of paternity, confirmation of adoption etc. Foreign certificates must be authenticated (e.g. apostille or legalization). Foreign judgments may have to be previously recognized in Germany.

• If you intend to enter Germany for marriage and subsequent family reunification, a letter from the register office must be provided, stating, in addition to the date of the wedding, that all legal requirements for the marriage have been met.
  

⬜ 6. If the family member living in Germany has got German nationality

Please provide the following documents with 1 copy:

• Copy of the German passport or ID card
• Proof of accomodation in Germany (e.g. rental agreement)
• If possible: Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g. employment contract, wage statements, proof of reserves and assets)
• Exception: In the case of children joining to a German national family member, proof of sufficient financial resources may be waived.

⬜ 6.1. If the family member living in Germany is neither German nor EU national

Please provide the following documents with 1copy:

• Copy of the foreign passport and German residence permit
• Proof of accomodation in Germany (e.g. rental agreement)
• Proof of sufficient financial resources (e.g. employment contract, wage statements, proof of reserves and assets)

⬜ 6.2. If the subsequent immigration of a spouse is intended

Please provide the following documents with 1copy:

• Proof of sufficient knowledge of German (level „A 1“ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) must also be provided (+ 1 copy), unless sufficient knowledge is evident at the counter.
• When applying for the visa, the language skills need to be proved with a language certificate at least on the A1 level of an ALTE certified examiner (not older than one year), who has got a branch office with a delegate (for example, the local Goethe-Institut). In addition, language certificates from the following providers acquired in Germany can be recognized:
  • „Start Deutsch 1“ of Goethe-Institut e.V.
  • „Start Deutsch 1“ of Telc GmbH
  • „Grundstufe Deutsch 1“ of the Österreichischen Sprachdiploms (ÖSD)
  • „TestDaF“ of TestDaF-Institut e.V.
  • ECL Examination Centre

Language certificates of other providers cannot be recognized during the visa procedure.

• Furthermore, the language certificate does not have to be submitted in the following cases:
  • proven physical or mental disability
  • spouses of holders of a „Blue Card EU“, ICT card, or a residence permit according to §§ 18a (skilled worker with vocational training), 18b section 1 (skilled workers holding university degree), § 18c section 3 (highly skilled worker) , §§ 18d (researcher), 18f, 19c section 1 for an employment as executive staff, managers and specialists, as scientist, as guest scientist, as engineer or technician in a research team of a guest scientist or as a teaching personnel, § 19c section 2 or 4 sentence 1 or § 21 (self-employed),
  • company founders
  • asylum seekers and recognized refugees of the Geneva Convention
  • persons with recognizable low integration needs
  • spouses of nationals of other EU countries
  • spouses of foreign nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the United States.

⬜ 6.3. For minor applicants

Please provide the following documents with 1copy:

• Proof of custody and the consent of all persons being in custody.
• For family reunification (not spouse reunification!) of family members who have already completed the age of 16, a detailed explanation must be presented, why subsequent immigration is required.

⬜ 7. Proof of health insurance + 1copy

• Proof of health insurance valid from the date of arrival and for the duration of the intended stay in Germany (German Statutory – „gesetzliche Krankenversicherung“ - or private health insurance). During the visa process a letter of the insurance company, confirming that sufficient coverage will be guaranteed in case the visa will be granted, is accepted.

• Please note that a travel health insurance cannot be accepted.

⬜ 8. Visa fee

• The visa fee is 75 €, payable in cash in CZK at current exchange rate or with credit card (Mastercard or Visa). The visa fee is a handling fee. There will be no refund in case the application will be denied or withdrawn.

⬜ 9. Information provided to applicants pursuant to Section 54 (2) no. 8 in conjunction with Section 53 of the Residence Act

⬜ 10. Additional contact and legal representation details

Each visa application is an individual case. The documents to be submitted may therefore differ from case to case. It is possible at any time during the visa procedure that additional documents may be required.