Welcome
Visa for family reunion (Long-term Visa)
Booking an appointment is only possible through the website of the Embassy www.dakar.diplo.de
Requirements for Visa for family reunion
Visa-Navigator! All information regarding visa can be found here: http://visa.diplo.de
Booking an appointment |
Applicants applying for a visa for family reunion have to book an appointment through the online appointment booking system on the Embassy’s website www.dakar.diplo.de Visa forms are free of charge! Applications of family members of other EU citizens do not require an appointment but can be made on the designated family reunion appointment days |
Appearance in person |
All applicants have to apply at the Embassy in person. |
Please do not send documents directly to the Embassy |
Additional documents should not be sent to the Embassy prior to the application but only to the applicant. |
Submission of additional documents |
If you are asked to supply additional documents during your appointment, please always indicate the file reference number (five-digits) mentioned on your receipt (below the barcode). |
visa fee
The processing fee is 50.000 FCFA for adults and 25.000 FCFA for children.
Applications of children or spouses of a German citizen or another EU-citizen are free of charge.
Should the visa be denied the Embassy will not refund the fee.
Processing time
Most long stay visa applications are forwarded to the responsible immigration or labour authority in Germany for approval. The entire procedure may therefore take 6 to 10 weeks or longer.
Please make sure to start the visa application process well in Advance!
General requirements
All documents listed below (except of the application form) are to be presented in original as well as two legible copies.
Signed application forms Visa forms are free of charge! |
2 completely filled-in application forms, duly signed by the applicant The application form of minors less than 16 years of age has to be signed by both parents Minors between 16 and 18 years of age have to submit written consent by both parents and a copy of both parents’ passports. |
Passport photos |
2 recent passport photos with white background (please do not attach to the form) |
| Valid passport |
Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages + 2 copies of the bio data page |
| ID-card |
ID-card + 2 copies |
| Birth certificate |
Birth certificate of the applicant + 2 copies Citizens of Guinea-Bissau additionally: - copy of birth registration page - copy of front cover of birth registrion book |
| Proof of residence of the reference person |
Proof of residence of the reference person living in Germany (Meldebescheinigung) + 2 copies |
| Copies of the reference person’s passport |
2 copies of all pages of the reference person’s passport with stamps and entries |
Additionally you require the following documents.
Joining your spouse
Your spouse is living in Germany and you want to move to your spouse
| Marriage Certificate |
Marriage certificate + 2 copies |
| Divorce certificate (if applicable) |
All divorce certificates of both spouses + 2 copies German divorce certificate with proof of legal effectiveness (Rechtskraftsvermerk) |
| A1 German language certificate |
A1 certificate of a standardized language exam according to the “Standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe” (ALTE). This currently applies for the following German language certificates: “Start Deutsch 1”of the Goethe Institute or the telc GmbH, “Grundstufe Deutsch 1” of the “Österreichisches Sprachdiplom” (ÖSD) and “TestDaF” of the TestDaF Institute e.V. In Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde, only the Goethe Institute Dakar fulfils these requirements. |
Family reunion for children
You need to apply for this visa if a child is supposed to join one or both parents in Germany
| Visa application form |
2 signed and filled in visa application forms The application forms must be signed by the person(s) who has/have custody of the child (usually the parents!). The signature of the parent in Germany has to be certified by a notary public or by a competent local authority. |
| Proof of German language skills |
Children over the age of 16 years who want to join a non German parent have to present proof of German language skills in form of a C1 certificate of a standardized language exam according to the “Standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe” (ALTE). In Senegal, The Gambia and in Guinea-Bissau only the Goethe Institute Dakar fulfils these requirements. Children who want to join a German parent do not have to proof German language skills. |
| Consent of other parent or custody order |
Affidavit of the other parent giving his/her consent to the application of the child to join the parent in Germany - additionally travel clearance for Gambia - + 2 copies. If such consent cannot be presented, a custody order from a court - additionally travel clearance for Gambia - + 2 copies. If the parents do not have joint custody and the child will not live with both parents in Germany, a custody order from a court - additionally travel clearance for Gambia - + 2 copies. |
Intended marriage in Germany
You have a fiancé (e) in Germany and you are planning to get married after your arrival in Germany.
| Proof of application at the civil registry office |
A certificate from the German marriage registrar stating the registration and intended date of marriage |
| Divorce certificate (if applicable) |
All divorce certificates of both spouses + 2 copies German divorce certificate with proof of legal effectiveness (Rechtskraftsvermerk) |
| A1 German language certificate |
A1 certificate of a standardized language exam according to the “Standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe” (ALTE). This currently applies for the following German language certificates: “Start Deutsch 1”of the Goethe Institute or the telc GmbH, “Grundstufe Deutsch 1” of the “Österreichisches Sprachdiplom” (ÖSD) and “TestDaF” of the TestDaF Institute e.V. In Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde, only the Goethe Institute Dakar fulfils these requirements. |
| Formal obligation letter |
Once all the requirements are fulfilled and the visa can be granted, a formal obligation according to § 66 - 68 of the German Residence Act confirmed by the local immigration office in Germany (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) will have to be presented for the time between entry into Germany and marriage. |
| Health insurance |
It is also recommended to have sufficient health insurance cover for the time between entry into Germany and date of marriage. |
Joining a(n) (unborn) German child
You are the mother or the father of a(n) (unborn) German child and want to join this German child in Germany. It also applies if the parent wants to move to Germany together with the child.
| Joining an unborn German child |
Joining a German child |
| Maternity log or a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy + 2 copies |
German passport of your child + 2 copies Birth certificate of your child + 2 copies |
| Marriage certificate of the parents (if applicable) |
Marriage certificate of the parents (if applicable) + 2 copies |
Divorce certificate (if applicable) |
All divorce certificates of both spouses + 2 copies German divorce certificate with proof of legal effectiveness (Rechtskraftvermerk) |
| Acknowledgement of paternity (if applicable) |
Acknowledgement of paternity (if applicable) + 2 copies |
| Custody declaration (if applicable) |
Custody declaration (if applicable) + 2 copies |
Useful information
Information regarding visa procedures, requirements and individual applications should be obtained from the visa officers at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, not from Security Staff or any other third party. Do not employ agents, travel agencies or other middlemen.
Recognition of foreign documents
Senegalese documents must be pre-certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and legalized by the German Embassy (see information sheet on legalization).
Documents from The Gambia or Guinea-Bissau may not be legalized; document verification might become necessary in due course of the application process ().
Translation of documents
All documents that are not in German, English or French must be presented with a certified Translation.
Embassy keeps certain documents
The Embassy does not return forms, photos or certain other documents in the case of refusal or if the application is withdrawn.
Original documents will be returned after processing the application.
Independent examination of visa
Your visa has been granted. Please carefully verify that the information printed on the visa sticker is correct and complete and immediately report any errors to the Embassy.
No guarantee for issuing of visa
Compliance with the visa conditions does not automatically guarantee that a visa will be issued. In addition to the standard requirements other supporting documents may be required, depending on the specific nature of your application.
Handling of fake or forged documents
Fake or forged documents will not be returned and may be sent to the relevant authorities.
The submission of fake or forged documents is a reason of refusal.