Family Reunion

Best case scenario would be for her to line up a job of course. But with Covid measures at the moment is couldn’t be a worse time. Or if she can qualify for a program and study visa that is also a pathway. But either of these mean finding childcare for 2 small kids, not an easy thing for any family.

But if you have a study visa, your wife and kids already have a right to join you with a family reunion visa! The difficulty will be that you will need more than double the amount in a blocked bank account to pay for living expenses and a large enough accommodation. And normally it would be expected the family lives together. Separate accommodation will raise red flags whether it is a legitimate marriage or one of convenience. She would be allowed then to work either part or full-time. This can be unskilled jobs if necessary that would not be arrange-able if one were trying to come on basis of a work visa.

Separate accommodation will do more than raise flags: A FRV is ONLY available for a family moving together!

Thanks alot for this feedback. Interestingly my friend is preparing to get bigger accommodation. I just hope a 12 meter square x 2 (or 24meter sqaure) can be considered okay by Bonn Auslander because they are couples with a baby and a toddler. Or please you tell me more; what is the norm?
If anyone is on this platform and has gone through this before, please share your experiences which ever way.

Secondly can the family reunion visa be more than 6months, that is to say if the husband has 1.5years to stay for studies, his wife and little children can stay up until hes done with Masters program.

Thirdly what are the chances of extending the wife's stay if she embassy gave her 6months visa.

I really appreciate your feedback.

Danke

The minimum accommodation size is 12sqm per person, kids 10sqm.
Therefore, the couple with two kids would need 44sqm (which is considered very small in Germany and most landlords would not rent it out to a family of four).
Once the FRV is issued, it will be renewed as long as they live together in Germany.

beppi wrote:

The minimum accommodation size is 12sqm per person, kids 10sqm.
Therefore, the couple with two kids would need 44sqm (which is considered very small in Germany and most landlords would not rent it out to a family of four).
Once the FRV is issued, it will be renewed as long as they live together in Germany.

Can I just say, I lived in an apartment of the size of 40m² only 2 of us, it was SMALL. 1 bedroom, 1 living/dining/study room in one, kitchen, & bathroom. Sorry, but it's not suitable for a family of 4.

Just my point of view.

Could you please shed more light on your last statement "Once the FRV is issued, it will be renewed as long as they live together in Germany".

@SimCityAT

Everyones opinion is absolutely welcome.

But for further clarification may I ask this ;
Is the small sized bathroom and kitchen all added to 1Bedroom + 1Living room to make up the total of your 40m² for two of you???  Like this below ;
1Bedroom size + 1Living room + Kitchen + Bathroom = 40m².

Mr Kpakpo wrote:

Could you please shed more light on your last statement "Once the FRV is issued, it will be renewed as long as they live together in Germany".

You asked about if a family reunion visa can be for more than 6 months. The answer if of course yes. If they meet the conditions for the visa, they can stay as long as the student is there.

And if one graduates from a German university they are given up to 18 months to look for a job in their field of study - without having to return home and getting a separate work visa. If successful then this could be a permanent move. The family can stay together the whole time. What is not possible is that the student leaves, having graduated or not, but the rest of the family stays in Germany.

This looks interesting.
Thanks alot

In your first reply you mentioned that one will need more than double the amount in a blocked bank account to pay for living expenses and a large enough accommodation. Lets say he has rented the required space for 2 adults + 2 kids.

1. Apart from block account, are there alternatives for proof of finance.
What if the husband holds a “Verpflichtungserklärungen”,  can that cover the family. Does the auslander accept that??  Is it allowed???

2. What if with his “Verpflichtungserklärungen” he's able to takes care of his personal living condition with no evidence of debit or credit in his bank account.
However in addition he works on the side to earn monthly income of  about 1500Euros and he can show a consistent income flow through his bank statement. Can he tender in to the auslander his employment contract, 6month current bank statement that can show a steady income as proof of funds. So “Verpflichtungserklärungen” to take care of himself and Income to care of the living expense of spouse and kids.


Thanks alot, waiting for your practical and insightful views.

There are of course rules about how to calculate the area (sqm) of an apartment - and in most cases, the official area is stated in the rental contract. If not, contact the landlord, he/she has it in the official floor plans!

Please ask the embassy, not us, which kind of proof of income or funds they accept for the visa issuance. The rules are complex, subject to change and there are differences between embassies.

Mr Kpakpo wrote:

In your first reply you mentioned that one will need more than double the amount in a blocked bank account to pay for living expenses and a large enough accommodation. Lets say he has rented the required space for 2 adults + 2 kids.

1. Apart from block account, are there alternatives for proof of finance.
What if the husband holds a “Verpflichtungserklärungen”,  can that cover the family. Does the auslander accept that??  Is it allowed???

2. What if with his “Verpflichtungserklärungen” he's able to takes care of his personal living condition with no evidence of debit or credit in his bank account.
However in addition he works on the side to earn monthly income of  about 1500Euros and he can show a consistent income flow through his bank statement. Can he tender in to the auslander his employment contract, 6month current bank statement that can show a steady income as proof of funds. So “Verpflichtungserklärungen” to take care of himself and Income to care of the living expense of spouse and kids.

Thanks alot, waiting for your practical and insightful views.

No, not how it works. A Verpflichtungserklärung is a legal statement of taking financial responsibility. This student is responsible for himself and his family. He cannot guarantee himself; he's the one needing the document!

It has to come from someone else who is residing in Germany and has a strong financial situation. And even if the family says they won't need much money, if they went out and charged things and ran up debts of hundreds of thousands of euros, then the person who signed the document has to pay. The liability is unlimited. Thus usually only a family member or very close trusted and wealthy friend should or would ever consider this. If one actually knows someone willing to help, then they could just borrow the money and have them deposited in the account and thus not lose more than that.

And even though a student can work part time and a spouse full time, the money they might make is always a speculation. They might not find work or lose it. Thus the money in the blocked account still has to be deposited. If they actually make money and don’t use all in the account then good for them but the requirements are the same. What is possible if one gets some kind of scholarship or stipend that guarantees money for living expenses. This could then be subtracted from the amount needed in the blocked account.