Limited Residence Permit for Family Reasons – Germany

To foreign employees who stay longer in Germany the subsequent immigration of the family members could be of interest. The subsequent immigration of husbands/wives and children outside the EU is also regulated in the Residence Law.

The precondition for the subsequent immigra- tion of family members to a foreign national is that the foreigner has a limited residence per- mit or a permanent settlement permit and that sufficient living space is available.

Furthermore the livelihood of the family member must be ensured without the recourse to public funds and there must be no grounds for expulsion.

These regulations only concern the subsequent immigration of under-aged unmarried children less than 16 years of age and spouses. Under-aged unmarried children less than 16 years of age will only receive a limited residence permit if they are able to speak the German language or if the integration into German society seems to be ensured because of the previous education and the circumstances. Relatives other than spouses or un- married minor children may immigrate subse- quently only if necessary in order to prevent unusual hardship.