What's in it
The purpose of this blog is to record the processes involved in obtaining " Family Reunion Visa (Dependent Visa)" and give detailed description.Adding some context
I'm an Indian, working in Germany, will be married in February 2018. Whilst gathering all the necessary information to apply dependent visa for my fiancee, I felt the need for some kind of blog that shares the experience of other applicants. Hopefully some day this blog will be useful to somebody!When it comes to Germany - everything runs by paper! You gotta love the paperwork and repeat it everywhere you move! Take an A4 sheet, write "I owe you €20000" and sign it, that's sufficient to get me rich. So read the document twice before signing!
Official Websites
Checklist
The checklist for Family Reunion Visa - Spouse can be accessed in the official website here, further information is provided below.
Meldebescheinigung
Certificate of residence - not older than 6 months. Visit nearby Bürgeramt, get it on the same day!
Arbeitgeberbescheinigung
Proof of employment, get it from your employer.
Personal covering letter
Marriage and Certificate
I applied for marriage certificate on the same day of marriage in Coimbatore registration office, India. After one week I'm called for proof reading the certificate, received 5 original certificates in couple of days. Totally it sums up to 9 days to get it in hand.
Visa Interview
The German Consulate - Chennai has updated family reunion visa fee to 6100 INR, just the day before my wife's appointment. But officials were kind enough to give buffer time for getting new demand draft. Generic question like "What your husband is doing in Germany?", "How long he is staying there?", "Where did he study?" were asked. Rather the interview was casual.
We were told that the document verification is not mandatory. In case it is required, we will be notified and then extra charge shall be paid in DD.
Luckily on my sporadic visit to Auslandsamt, the receptionist asked for my documents and assured that it will be processed as soon as possible. In next 2 weeks my wife got the following e-mail
====================================================
Dear Applicant,
We were told that the document verification is not mandatory. In case it is required, we will be notified and then extra charge shall be paid in DD.
Waiting Time
In the checklist, a word mentioned that it takes about 3 months for visa processing. Some of my friends who applied in parallel with me have got visa in 6 - 10 weeks. For some others, it takes longer time. I fall in the later category. It's been 14 weeks, still waiting for a decision. Once in every three week I visit Auslandsamt in my city for status update, they have the default reply "We are processing, it will take some more time".
One more important thing NOT to do is bringing spouse to Germany in tourist visa during this interim period. Spouse's passport have the stamping denoting that she is waiting for family reunion visa, bringing her to Germany on another type of visa would abstain her from Germany for 6 more months!
Luckily on my sporadic visit to Auslandsamt, the receptionist asked for my documents and assured that it will be processed as soon as possible. In next 2 weeks my wife got the following e-mail
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Dear Applicant,
With reference to your above mentioned visa application we would like to
inform you that a residence permit for your intended stay in the Federal
Republic of Germany can be issued.
Please submit the following documents in the order mentioned below, in a sealed envelope to the Consulate security on working Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9.00 A.M to 10.00 A.M.
1) Your passport.
2)Copy of the fee receipt.
3) Copy of this approval letter.
4)Proof of your intended travel date (e.g. copy of flight
reservation, flight ticket is not required).
5)Travel health insurance for 3 months from your date of travel. (COPY)
FOR STUDENTS ONLY
1) Confirmation from Deutsche Bank/Kotak Mahindra that Euro 8,640 has been credited to
your blocked account.
2) Copy of the Provisional Degree Cerificate
Please also note, that we require a proper signed extension letter
from the University confirming your enrolment and the extension date, in case you are
unable to get your Student visa on time for the start of your classes.
Passport collection time: following Tuesdays or Thursdays between 13.30 and 14. 00 P.M
To submit through VFS , please check the link below..
Yours faithfully
Visa Section - German Consulate General, Chennai
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My wife went in person to submit passport, for collecting stamped passport, we authorized someone else with a letter and an id proof.
Finally after 5 months of application, we reunited! As a software engineer, designed my marriage invitation reflecting my day to day work.
Last updated: 16-Sep-2018, 17:10 CET
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