Information for Visa Applicants for Family Reunion for Spouses

Spouses who intend to join their spouse residing in Germany or jointly move with their spouse to Germany may receive an entry visa valid up to 90 days that can be transferred into a residence permit by German Immigration Authorities after taking residence with the family member. It is not possible to change the purpose of the visa request after submitting the application.

Fees

Visa fees are payable in Nepali Rupees. The fees are fixed in Euro (Currently 75 EUR); therefore the equivalent in Nepali currency may vary according to the exchange rate. The complete fee has to be paid upon application and will not be refunded in case the visa application is rejected.

Please note that visa applications of children younger than six years; spouses of German or European Union (EU) nationals and minor children and parents of minor German or EU nationals are processed free of Charge.

Processing Time

The minimum time to process the application for a visa for family reunion takes approx. 3 months, since your application has to be forwarded to the competent immigration authorities in Germany for final approval.

Please be aware that in most cases verification of documents is requested by the German Authorities.

Application

Please note that visa applicants for Family Reunion will have to take an appointment for their application online via pur Webpage.

Visa information by phone will be given from Monday to Friday between 2.00 and 3.00 pm

Application form and additional documentation

Please prepare two identical application sets consisting of originals and copies of the following documents.

All documents have to be provided in German or English language or together with an English translation.

The German Embassy reserves the right to ask for additional documents.

Please note that incomplete applications will be rejected. Applications containing false statements or forged documents will also be rejected and forwarded to Nepali authorities for further Investigation.

Non-Nepali nationals residing in Nepal:

A valid residence permit for Nepal is required.

Following Documents are needed:

• Valid passport or travel document with a validity of at least one more year, original and two copies.  The passport must not be older than 10 years and must contain at least two empty pages.
• 2 recent biometrical passport photographs  (not older than six months)
• 2 application forms (please use VIDEX)
  
• Citizenship certificate, original and two copies
• Birth certificate, original and two copies
• School leaving certificate including the date of birth, original and two copies
• Academic degree certificate, if applicable, original and two copies
• Proof of German language knowledge (A1 level) by an examination provider certified according to standard ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe); in Nepal at the moment only certificates by the Goethe Centre Kathmandu and VHS Bhaktapur Please note that - under certain circumstances - there are exemptions from this. Requirement, please see below. You can find an info sheet of “BAMF” about language requirements here.
• Proof of Health insurance valid for Germany and covering at least the first three months of the stay in Germany, original and two copies (spouses and children for EU-nationals are exempted) has to be submitted  before leaving to Germany
• Copy of your spouse’s passport (A4 size copy)
• Certificate of residence (“Meldebescheinigung”) of the spouse living in Germany, not older than 6 months
• Copy of spouse’s residence permit for Germany, if applicable
• Proof of marriage original and two copies. If the marriage did not take place in Nepal or Germany, a marriage certificate with Apostille is required
• IF APPLICABLE: Divorce judgement and decree of all former marriages of both spouses, if applicable
  German divorce judgement with “Rechtskraftvermerk”, original and two copies
• IF APPLICABLE: Certificate of death of former spouse, original and two copies
• Copy of the valid employment contract of the spouse living in Germany, mandatory if spouse is an EU citizen
• Visa Fee, equivalent to 75,- Euro
• Verification of documents

Legislation provides for exemptions to the need to furnish proof of basic knowledge of German:

(a) Exemptions based on the applicant:

-    when knowledge of German is obvious (=clearly identifiable knowledge of German when submitting application in person)

-    when the planned stay in Germany is only temporary

-    when re-entering Germany, i.e. if the applicant has previously lived in Germany with a permanent residence permit pursuant to the Residence Act

-    if in the long term it is impossible for the applicant to learn a foreign language due to physical, intellectual or mental disability or illness

(b) Exemptions based on the reference person of the principal person entitled:

-    if the spouse living in Germany is a national of one of the states listed in section 41 of the Ordinance Governing Residence, or enjoys freedom of movement in Germany, that is, nationals of a member state of the EU (other than Germany) or the EEA states Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein or Switzerland

-  if the spouse living in Germany is in possesion of an EU Blue Card, an ICT Card or a Mobile ICT Card or a residence title in accordance with §§ 18a, 18b Paragraph 1, § 18c Paragraph 3, AufenthG §§ 18d, 18f, 19c Paragraph 1 AufenthG for employment as a senior executive, as a manager, as a company specialist, as a scientist, as a visiting scientist, as an engineer or technician in the research team of a visiting scientist or as a teacher, § 19c Paragraph 2 or 4 Sentence 1 or § 21 AufenthG   

-    if the spouse living in Germany was a holder of an EU Blue Card or a residence permit pursuant to Sections 18a, 18b (1), 18d, 19c (1) of the Residence Act for employment as a manager, executive, company specialist, scientist, visiting scientist, engineer or technician in the research team of a visiting scientist or as a teacher, Section 19c (2) or (4) Sentence 1 or Section 21 immediately prior to the issuance of a settlement permit or a permit for permanent residence - EU

-   in the case of subsequent immigration to join beneficiaries of protection, provided that the marriage predates the beneficiary moving their main place of residence to Germany

An additional exemption applies if, due to special circumstances, it is not possible or it is deemed unreasonable to expect the spouse to endeavour to acquire basic knowledge of the German language prior to entering the country.

This applies in particular if language courses are permanently not available in the relevant country or if attending such classes entails a major security risk and if other promising alternatives (for example, using books or online courses) to learn the language and proof thereof are not available.

If you believe that you satisfy the requirements for such an exemption, you must provide relevant proof of the existence of the reason for the exemption when submitting your application.

If you are not sure whether or not one of the exemptions applies to you or what proof is required, you can inquire by describing your situation in an email to visa@kath.diplo.de

Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa is granted.

Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a visa interview may result in the rejection of your application.

For further information please refer to www.kathmandu.diplo.de

Please note that these are the minimum requirements. Additional documents may have to be presented on request. The regulations have been issued by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and are subject to change without prior notice.

Family Reunion  Spouse Checklist