For persons entitled to subsidiary protection

If you are a spouse or child under 18 and wish to apply for family reunification in order to join your spouse or parent with subsidiary protection status in Germany, this is possible if the following requirements are met:

1. You have been separated from your family member for a long time
2. A minor is affected
3. The health, life or freedom of your family is seriously endangered in your home country
4. You or one of your family members is seriously ill, disabled or in need of care

At least one of the requirements must be met for family reunification to take place.

Please note: If your spouse is in Germany, you must have married before your spouse sought asylum in Germany.

You must apply for a visa at the German embassy in order for you and, if applicable, your children to enter the country. The residence permit cannot be issued without a visa.

The embassy may issue a total of 1,000 visas per month for the purpose of family reunification to those entitled to subsidiary protection. The decision is not made by the foreign nationals office, but instead by the Federal Foreign Office. If you have any questions about the current visa procedure, please contact the responsible German diplomatic mission abroad.

Please bring the following with you…

After entering Germany with the required visa, you can apply for a residence permit in Münster. For this purpose, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):

• Your valid passport
• A current passport photo
• A completed application form
• Proof that you are able to cover your living expenses (e.g. salary statements, employment contract, certificate of social benefits)
• Proof of health insurance
• Fee: up to € 100.00

If you are also applying for a residence permit on behalf of your spouse, you and your spouse must make a joint personal appointment.

In addition, if your child is at least six years old, they must attend the appointment to obtain a residence permit in person.

Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.

Please note: An appointment is required for the granting and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.

Period of validity

The residence permit for family reunification with a person entitled to subsidiary protection can only be issued for a period matching the validity of the residence permit issued to the person entitled to subsidiary protection. This applies to the issue and extension of the residence permit. If the person entitled to subsidiary protection has a permanent certificate of residential status, the residence permit is generally issued and extended for two years.

Paid employment

Pursuing paid employment is permitted if you have been issued a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification. This means that you can take up employment or become self-employed.

Settling down

If you plan to stay in Germany for five years for the purpose of family reunification and also have a residence permit for this period, you can apply for a settlement permit (unlimited residence permit). You can find further information on the page about the settlement permit.

For more information on the granting of a settlement permit for children / young adults who entered Germany as minors, you can find further information on the page about the settlement permit for minors.