German family reunion visa A1 exception

@psarvankar314

Hmmm. Contrary to what people might believe, German officials are not heartless and only follow rules. Special considerations are usually made for real disabilities. But dyslexia is not usually some kind of huge barrier to learning a language that one cannot overcome. And A1 is a beginner’s level. They don’t require it to make things difficult, on the contrary; they know foreigners will be a bit lost if they have no knowledge of the local language. But they are also used to hearing all kinds of excuses and attempts to get around reasonable requirements. If they make an exception, then it will be to allow one to come, providing they meet all of the other requirements, and then usually get 6 months to pass the A1 exam in Germany. That they will just ignore this issue is not going to happen. Dyslexia is a hardship but rarely such a major handicap that one will simply be exempted.

To apply for an exemption from the A1 language requirement on medical grounds, get a letter from a recognised medical authority in your counry (ask the German embassy which ones they recognise!), certifying that you are not mentally able to learn the language in usual time.

My understanding is that if you are married to a German, then you don't need A1 language requirements. You should be able to apply for a 3 year temporary residency card. Although, there may be exceptions to that rule, depending which country you are from? I don't know. I am from the USA and I automatically got a 3 year residency card (temporary) without language requirements. To get a permanent residency card, I would need to know the language at a B1 level, I think, in 3 years, although I think I can just get an extension, if I don't speak German at that language level.

@kubikhan Sorry to contradict you, but a foreigner married to a German DOES need A1 language skills to get a FRV. Perhaps you are married to a foreigner, then this requirement does not apply? Or are you EU citizen? Or were you granted an exemption? Or maybe it was just an error by the processing officer?

I can only back up Beppi's statement. Married to a German or to a non-EU spouse then you definitely need the A1 exam. Spouses of non-German EU citizens are exempt. But A1 is beginners' level. One can manage this in a couple of month with a bit of effort. Don't expect exemptions - being an American isn't grounds. And if one doesn't have the B1 level for long term residency after 3 years, then they are usually given an extention of termporary status if still married and working and not having commited serious crimes. Every status affords some qualifications!

@beppi

Thanks for that correction. I had to think about that, for a minute. I am married to a German/American. My husband has German citizenship. I have 3 other friends in my situation and didn't need the A1 language skills to get a 3 year temporary residency card.

I assumed that all of my American friends, who were married to Germans, got the 3 year temporary residency card because we are all married to Germans, but I also noticed that we all have children, as well. All of our children have dual citizenship and have dual American and German passports/citizenship. So, maybe that is why all three of us automatically got the 3 year temporary residency card without A1 language skills? I don't know.

Also, one of us had a teaching job upon arrival. A few others had jobs (work from home) via American companies. The other didn't have a job, but her husband had a good job via a German company. But, I didn't think that that affected our language requirements. (Except that most of us had very little time to study German due to our full time jobs.) But, most of us have been trying to study German when we are able. It is alot more tedious than Germans think, to get to an A1 level (with or without dyslexia). I can't imagine the difficulties with dyslexia! (Yes- I was a Special education teacher, working with dyslexic kids, so I should know!)  In regard to dyslexia, I read that you can get a letter from a specialist in Germany to get extensions on language requirements. (Let us know what happened.) But, unlike the situation in America, I have found that the German culture may be a bit hesitant to accept dyslexia as a "disability". The attitudes can be different here. But, it is worth a shot, for sure.

But, be aware that (in one example) to get an extension, my friend had to prove that she was studying German and working towards a certificate. Fortunately, she was able to prove this because she had purchased an online class and could show receipts. All of us are working towards getting language certificates, but even after 2-3 years of studies, we are still struggling with the language even at a basic level.  It isn't easy!

Having minor kids with a German passport being the reason to exempt one from needing the A1 certification? Maybe, I don’t know.  You mention a teacher but one needs a C1 level of German to teach in Germany. And not that anyone claims A1 is no effort or easy but not really in light of the NEED for people to understand basic German.

It is not meant to punish people; but rather insure that they don’t end up living in Germany and being unhappy and isolated with few work or social opportunities, always dependent on other’s assistance to navigate life. The effort is clearly outweighed by the risks. And it is becoming more of an issue for others that foreigners arrive and don’t bother with the language, customs or culture. The attitude is off-putting to many and reinforces skepticism of people’s intention. Yes, an effort is simply required and exceptions only for clearly extreme cases of disability or hardship. “Don’t have time” doesn’t do it.

Thanks, Tom, but I literally didn't have time to study German. I was working as a teacher at a private school and literally worked 10-15 hours a day, including weekends. It was terrible. We actually can work at a German private school without A1 or any German language skills. Public school is different than private. The school gave me free German classes, but my brain was so fried by the end of the day, that I literally couldn't focus on any language skills. Most of the time, I had to work overtime to get the expected work done, which was an endless impossible feat. It was quite an abusive work situation. I had to work over the weekends to just keep up on the work. And, I had a teenage child at home that was also having a terrible time. Some days, I didn't get home until midnight. She had to feed herself, often. I am not kidding. Additionally, we were supposed to take education classes, despite having a Masters in Education! (On top of teaching!) So, I may have had an extreme situation, but many of the teachers at that school had a similar situation. I found more than one, completely exhausted and some I found crying on the floor. I am not being dramatic! Every single international teacher wanted to learn German, but there was literally "no time"! Literally! Also, the salary that I made didn't cover the cost of the outrageous rent, expensive food, and the cost of language classes, outside of the school. Not to mention, if one doesn't have a car, then time is even slimmer to be able to get to classes, work, and take care of family. The classes that were available to us (from the government) were 5 days a week and 4 hours a day. There was no way that I could get to classes, as I was working. I would love to know how normal, working, functioning people are supposed to take these language classes, work, and feed their family at the same time. I am not against taking classes, and I 100% agree that they should be taken, but I do think that the expectations in regard to how much time it really takes to get to any level of German must be revisited. Also, I think that the government should offer more flexibility, such as more time to get the language classes done, more available classes, free classes, more online classes, etcetera. This also brings up the subject, of course, of the abuse of international workers. Obviously the school that I was working at, took advantage of international people that had to have that job and couldn't get another, due to lack of language skills. So, believe me when I say that we desperately wanted to learn German so that we could move on from that job and get a better one! But, it is a vicious cycle!   

In regard to dyslexia.....it can be an extreme handicap. Any learning disability can be. I know. I have one. And, I have worked with kids in special education that had dyslexia. It is an incredible struggle, for some. As we say in special education.....the public has a responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all students. So, in this case, I think that asking for extra time to learn A1 is fair for a person with dyslexia. Of course she/he would need extra time. This is only fair. Obviously this is why extensions are given, as you mentioned. It is not an unreasonable request. This is why, if you can get a psychiatrist or doctor to write a diagnosis, then I believe an extension is possible.

Obviously, not every person's situation is a horror show, but I think that many are finding it very difficult to fit German classes into their busy schedules while trying to make a living or deal with life issues or deal with the culture shock. It is unreasonable for the government to expect normal people to learn at such a fast pace, for so many hours. I have not spoken to one person that said they could handle the A1 level well in 6 months or could go to classes for 4 hours a day, five days a week, for 9 months (for B level). I think it needs to be revamped.

@kubikhan If the situation was what you describe above, then it was illegal:

In Germany it is not allowed (by law) to work more than 10 hours a day or 48 hours a week. The employer is responsible for their worker's well-being and has to enforce breaks and other measures.

The fact that you also got low pay (normally, teachers earn well) shows me that it is an abusive situation and not the norm.

Then, instead of asking the government to change rules, you should blame the employer for denying you chances that others have and you are also eligible for!

To reach A1 requires 80 lessons (45min each) of classes. A requirement to complete this in 6 months means just 3 lessons per week. People (with normal learning abilities) who don't manage this show too little effort to integrate into our society - that's the rule and reasonable (in my opinion).

That one was working 10 -15 hours and/or 7 days a week a day in Germany is not only illegal but nonsensical. I always try to give on the benefit of the doubt but such claims don't sound credible. Any reasonable person would walk away from such a job and report it to officials. Why would anyone condone such treatment? No employer can risk such conditions. What can be true is that work gets taken home and is off of the clock  but teachers are rarely on the clock for 40 hours a week. it is usual that part of their duties are done outside of class time. But one is still flexible in their free time management.

@TominStuttgart

    @TominStuttgart
-@SimCityAT

I don't underestimate what dyslexia can mean. The question is if German officials will deem one's disability to be so severe that they are exempted from learning  a beginner's level of Greman in years' time. And this person claims to have worked as a teacher in this time. And they also claimed to be working 12 hour day, 7 day s a week which is pretty questionable as it is obviously illegal and who would accept such conditions. Call me a sceptic but none of this sounds credible.

        @TominStuttgart-@SimCityATI don't underestimate what dyslexia can mean. The question is if German officials will deem one's disability to be so severe that they are exempted from learning  a beginner's level of Greman in years' time. And this person claims to have worked as a teacher in this time. And they also claimed to be working 12 hour day, 7 day s a week which is pretty questionable as it is obviously illegal and who would accept such conditions. Call me a sceptic but none of this sounds credible.         -@TominStuttgart

The problem is your understanding it!! Unless you have a degree in education with learning difficulties, Shut up, and stick to juggling!! I am dyslexic and know the ins ands out of it.

Could you please stop exchanging speculations and accusations!

Tom is probably right that having a learning weakness (unless it is recognised as a mental disability of a certain minimum percentage) and being exploited by an unreasonable employer does not make any difference in German buerocrats’ eyes.

The rest of what you wrote is off-topic and thus irrelevant for the OP.

@beppi

The thing is Beppi, I am dyslexic, I have gone through the exams. Tom hasn't and is talking rubbish. End of. He has also been reported for his racist remarks.

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