Visa Type

Family Reunification Visa (Familiennachzug) — National Visa (Type D)

Applicable For

Spouse or registered partner and dependent children of Student Visa holders (Section 16b AufenthG) enrolled at a recognised German university or higher education institution

Who Can Apply (Dependants)

Legally married spouse, registered civil partner, unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age

Work Rights (Spouse)

Restricted — up to 180 full days or 360 half days per year; full unrestricted work rights are not automatically granted to student dependants

Study Rights

Full — spouse and children may study at any German educational institution

Language Requirement

A1 German generally required for spouses — no blanket exemption for student dependants

Visa Fee (Adult)

EUR 75 per adult (approx. INR 7,000)

Visa Fee (Child aged 6 to 17)

EUR 37.50 (approx. INR 3,500)

Visa Fee (Child under 6)

Free

Processing Time

1 to 3 months from German embassy / consulate; 6 to 12 weeks for residence permit in Germany after arrival

Validity

Tied to primary applicant's residence permit — typically 1 to 3 years, extendable

Health Insurance

Statutory or private health insurance required for all dependants

Accommodation Requirement

Sponsor must prove adequate housing — approx. 12 sqm minimum per person

Financial Requirement

Approx. EUR 1,200 per month for couple + EUR 300 per additional dependent child (indicative)

Pathway to PR

After 5 years of lawful residence (general pathway); student years count towards residence

Application Method

Online via German Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de) or at VFS Global centres in India

Visa / Permit Type

Must hold a valid German Student Visa (Studienvisum) or residence permit for study (Section 16b AufenthG) at a recognised German university or Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences)

Residence in Germany

Must be legally residing and registered in Germany as an enrolled student with a valid residence permit at the time of the dependant's application

Financial Capacity

Must demonstrate sufficient funds to support the family—proof via blocked account (Sperrkonto), scholarship, or equivalent showing at least EUR 934/month for student plus additional funds for each dependant

Accommodation

Must have adequate housing in Germany—approx. 12 sqm minimum living space per person—proven via rental contract or ownership documents

Health Insurance for Dependants

Must confirm health insurance is in place for all family members who will be joining in Germany

Registration in Germany

Must be registered at a German address—Meldebescheinigung (certificate of registration) required, not older than 6 months

Good Character

No criminal record that would prevent family reunification under German immigration law

Full-time employment (any sector)

Restricted — up to 180 full days or 360 half days per year total

Part-time employment

Yes—within the 180 full days / 360 half days annual limit

Self-employment / freelance work

Permitted within the annual workday limit—after completing relevant registration in Germany

Work for any employer (not tied to sponsor's employer)

Yes—not tied to any specific employer, subject to annual work days limit

Change employer freely

Yes—no restriction on employer, subject to annual workdays limit

Work in a different German city from the primary applicant

Yes—no geographic restriction, subject to annual work days limit

Remote work for an Indian employer (from within Germany)

Permitted in most cases — tax and social security obligations apply; confirm with a qualified tax adviser

Work rights for spouses of Skilled Worker Visa holders

Restricted — up to 180 full days or 360 half days per year; included in the family reunification residence permit

Separate work permit required?

No separate work permit required for up to 180 full days / 360 half days per year—this entitlement is included in the family reunification residence permit

Spouse / Partner

Can study full-time or part-time at any German university, college, vocational school, or language institute — no restriction

Children (school age)

Can attend German state (public) primary and secondary schools — education is compulsory (Schulpflicht) and free for all children residing in Germany

German integration courses (BAMF)

Dependants are encouraged to attend BAMF integration courses in Germany — includes German language (up to B1) and civic orientation. Often subsidised or free.

Vocational Training (Ausbildung)

Dependants can enrol in German apprenticeship programmes (dual system) — a highly regarded pathway to employment in Germany

University education

No restriction — dependants may apply to German public universities, most of which charge no tuition fees (only a small semester contribution)

Student financial assistance

Not generally eligible while on a temporary residence permit — BAfoG may become accessible after meeting long-term residence conditions

National Visa (Type D) — Adult applicant (18+)

EUR 75

INR 7,000 approx.

National Visa (Type D) — Child aged 6 to 17

EUR 37.50

INR 3,500 approx.

National Visa (Type D) — Child under 6 years

Free

Free

Residence Permit in Germany (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) — after arrival

EUR 100 to EUR 110 per person (approx.)

INR 9,300 to INR 10,200 approx.

Health Insurance (statutory / private) — per person per year

EUR 200 to EUR 900+

INR 18,600 to INR 83,700+ approx.

German Language Course A1 (if required) — in India

EUR 150 to EUR 500 approx.

INR 14,000 to INR 46,500 approx.

Document Apostille (MEA India, per document)

—

INR 500 to INR 3,000

Certified Translation (per document)

—

INR 800 to INR 2,500

VFS Global Service Fee (India)

—

INR 1,400 to INR 2,500 approx.

Y-Axis Professional Consultancy Fee

As per service package

As per service package

German Language A1 Course and Exam (if required)

4 to 8 weeks (varies by institute and availability in your city in India)

Document Apostille — MEA India (e-Apostille)

3 to 7 business days

Document Apostille — MEA India (offline)

2 to 4 weeks

Certified Translation of Documents

3 to 7 business days

VFS Global / Consulate Appointment Booking (India)

2 to 6 weeks (varies by city; Delhi and Mumbai can be longer — book early)

Embassy / Consulate Processing Time (after submission)

6 to 12 weeks (approx. 1 to 3 months)

Residence Permit Application in Germany (after arrival)

6 to 12 weeks

Total Estimated Timeline — Blue Card Dependant (A1 language exempt)

2 to 4 months from preparation to visa grant

Total Estimated Timeline — Other dependants (A1 language required)

3 to 6 months from preparation to visa grant

Spouse / Registered Partner

Marriage certificate (apostilled + certified translation); Proof of sponsor's valid residence permit; Meldebescheinigung of sponsor; Proof of adequate accommodation; Proof of sufficient funds; Health insurance coverage; German A1 language proof (if applicable); Cover letter; Valid passport; Completed visa application form; Two biometric photographs

Dependent Children

Valid passport; Two biometric photographs; Birth certificate (apostilled + certified translation); Proof of sponsor's valid residence permit; Meldebescheinigung of sponsor; School records or enrolment certificate (if applicable); Custody documents (if applicable); Written consent of non-travelling parent (notarised and apostilled)

Financial and Supporting Documents

Student sponsor's blocked account (Sperrkonto) statements or scholarship letter; Last 3 months' German bank statements; Copy of sponsor's student residence permit (Section 16b AufenthG); University enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung)

Minimum funds for student sponsor + spouse

Minimum EUR 934 per month for the student (blocked account/scholarship) plus approximately EUR 300 to EUR 500 per additional family member — subject to confirmation with the relevant Auslaenderbehoerde

Additional income per dependent child

Approx. EUR 300 per month per child (indicative — may vary by federal state)

Documents required

Blocked account (Sperrkonto) statements, scholarship letter, or equivalent financial proof; last 3 months' bank statements where applicable

Public funds restriction

Application may be refused if the student sponsor cannot demonstrate adequate financial capacity for the family

Important note

The exact income threshold may vary by German federal state (Bundesland) and is periodically adjusted. Confirm with the local Auslaenderbehoerde or with Y-Axis immigration advisers for the latest figures.

Minimum living space

Approx. 12 square metres per person — minimum standard under German law (may vary by federal state and local authority)

Documents required

Rental contract (Mietvertrag) or property ownership documents confirming the address and size of the accommodation

Landlord confirmation

In some cases, written confirmation from the landlord that the accommodation is suitable for the number of family members may be requested

Temporary accommodation

If permanent accommodation is not yet secured, a confirmed hotel booking or temporary accommodation address may be accepted at the visa stage

Adequacy assessment

The accommodation must be adequate for the whole family — overcrowded or substandard accommodation is a common reason for family reunification applications to be refused or delayed

Spouse joining a Student Visa holder (Section 16b)

A1 German generally REQUIRED at the visa application stage—no blanket exemption for student dependants

Spouse joining a student visa holder—general rule

A1 German REQUIRED — confirm with the specific German consulate handling your application

Spouse joining other employment category workers

A1 German language skills required before applying for the visa

Level required (where applicable)

A1 level per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — basic everyday communication in German

Recognised testing centres in India

Goethe-Institut (Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad), Max Mueller Bhavan, and other authorised test centres

Language support after arrival in Germany

BAMF integration courses (free or subsidised) — covers German language up to B1 level and civic orientation; strongly recommended for all family members

Initial Visa Grant

Same duration as the primary applicant's residence permit — typically 1 to 3 years

Primary Applicant Renews Residence Permit

Dependant must also apply for renewal at the local Auslaenderbehoerde in Germany

Primary Applicant Changes University or Course

Dependant's residence permit may need updating — notify local Auslaenderbehoerde promptly

Primary Applicant Completes Studies and Transitions to Work Permit

Dependant’s permit must be updated as the primary applicant transitions — new permit type required; consult Y-Axis for the correct pathway

Relationship Breaks Down (Separation / Divorce)

Dependant's right of residence may be affected — seek immediate immigration legal advice; domestic violence provisions may apply under German law

Child Turns 18

Must apply for own independent residence permit; conditions depend on individual circumstances and years of residence in Germany

Sponsor Leaves Germany Permanently

Dependant's right of residence may be affected — seek urgent immigration legal advice

Student Visa holder (primary applicant)

After completing studies, if the student transitions to a work permit or job-seeker visa and continues residence in Germany, the family accumulates years towards the settlement permit. PR is generally available after 5 years of lawful residence in Germany including student years.

Transition to work permit after studies

If the student sponsor transitions to a work permit or EU Blue Card after graduating, the PR timeline may accelerate — confirm with Y-Axis for the latest pathways.

General pathway for all dependants

After 5 years of lawful residence in Germany, dependants may independently apply for the settlement permit — subject to meeting financial, language (B1 German), and integration requirements.

German language requirement for PR

B1 level of German (CEFR) required for the settlement permit. BAMF integration course completion strongly supports this.

German Citizenship Timeline

After 8 years of legal residence (recent reforms may reduce to 5 years — confirm with Y-Axis). Dual citizenship with India is now permitted (from June 2024).

Practical pathway for Indian student families

Family Reunification Visa (Year 0) -> Settlement Permit / PR (Year 2 to 3) -> German Citizenship (Year 5 to 8)