Apply for or extend a residence permit for family reasons at the Hamburg Service

Prerequisites

• You would like to live with a close family member in Germany.
• The close family circle includes
  • underage children
  • Spouses
  • Partner of a registered and recognized civil partnership.
• You have the relevant civil status documents (birth certificate or marriage certificate) to prove your relationship to the above-mentioned family circle.
• For foreign documents, you will also need a translation by a sworn interpreter and, if necessary, an apostille or legalization.
• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and – if required for your entry – an appropriate visa.
• The foreign person with whom you want to live in Germany,
  • has a valid residence permit.
  • has health insurance.
  • has sufficient financial resources to provide for both of you.
  • has an apartment in Germany that offers enough space for both of you.

Depending on your individual circumstances, different requirements may apply. The responsible authority can inform you accordingly.

Documents required

• valid passport or passport replacement of your country of origin
• biometric passport photo in electronic form
  • You can have your passport photo taken on-site. A photo booth is available.
  • You can have a passport photo taken by a certified photographer or participating drugstores. This photo will be made available electronically to the responsible authority via a cloud service.
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof of sufficient living space
• Documentary proof of the relationship (e.g., birth certificate or marriage certificate). For foreign documents, you will also need a translation by a sworn interpreter and, if necessary, an apostille or legalization.
• For the first application, additionally: Visa, if this was required for your entry

Depending on the circumstances of your individual case, other documents may be required. The responsible authority can inform you accordingly.

Please note

Family reunification is generally excluded if:

• the asylum procedure of the person with whom you wish to live in Germany has not yet been completed.
• the person with whom you would like to live in Germany is tolerated in Germany or is required to leave the country.

Deadlines

Submit your application immediately after entry or at the latest 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires.

Procedure

• You use the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" to apply for a residence permit and upload the required documents.
• The responsible office will then send you an appointment for an interview.
• Please bring all required documents, preferably in original, to the appointment.
• The responsible authority will check your identity and documents.
• The competent authority shall involve other authorities where necessary.
• You pay the necessary fees.
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints, signature and a biometric photo will be taken to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• The responsible authority commissions an external agency, the Federal Printing Office, to produce your eAT.
• Once the eAT is ready, you can pick it up in person from the responsible office. The responsible office will schedule an appointment for you.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice stating the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

Processing will take place directly at the appointment if all documents are complete.


The delivery time for the electronic residence permit from the Federal Printing Office is usually 2 to 4 weeks.

Fees

Granting of residence permit: 100 euros


Extension for a further stay of up to 3 months: 96 euros


Extension for a further stay of more than 3 months: 93 euros

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Sections 28 ff. Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__28.html