All information provided in this leaflet is based on the state of knowledge of the German Embassy at the time of composition. No responsibility is taken for the completeness or correctness of this information.

If you intend to move to your spouse or parent living permanently in Germany, you have to apply for a visa before entering Germany. If your spouse or parent will move to Germany at the same time, e.g. because of work, the same procedure is applicable. A family reunion is only possible if the marriage or parentage is effective according to German law.

In principle, a decision about your visa application will me be made in cooperation with the aliens’ authority at your intended place of residence in Germany. Therefore, processing time can take several months (usually about three). If you submit your application together with your spouse or parent and your spouse or parent intends to work in Germany, processing time usually takes about one or two weeks. Processing time will take much longer if foreign marriage or birth certificates have to be checked in a third country. The embassy highly recommends submitting your visa application as early as possible to avoid a delay of your entry into Germany. A visa application can be submitted up to three months prior to the intended date of entry.

In the following cases you are allowed to enter Germany visa free and apply for your residence permit at the aliens’ authority at your place of residence:

- If you are a holder of a Lithuanian long-term residence permit („Ilgalaikis gyventojas ES“), Art. 38a Par. 1 German Law on Aliens;

- If you are a holder of a Lithuanian temporary residence permit and intend to move to your spouse in Germany, Art. 39 Par. 1 no. 6 German Regulation on Aliens

However, the embassy highly recommends to contact the aliens‘ authority in advance for further information.

An appointment can only be booked online. For each applicant a separate appointment is necessary. The visa fee is 75€ and can be paid in cash or by credit card.

Below you can find a list of necessary documents that have to be submitted together with your application. Please read the information carefully and act only according to the information applicable in your case. For further information in cases not mentioned below, please contact the embassy and include information on your personal situation.

The following documents are mandatory:

· 1 filled in and signed application form including information according to Art. 55 German Law on Aliens (online form can be found here ; pdf form can be found here)

· 1 biometric passport picture, not older than six months, white background, size: 45x35mm

The following documents have to be submitted in original with one simple copy each:

· valid passport with copy of the data page (signed, with at least three empty pages)

· Lithuanian residence permit (front and back page)

· health insurance (see information below)

A. family reunion with a German spouse

- informal invitation letter, passport copy and proof of registration of your spouse living in Germany

- marriage certificate, if the marriage took place in a third country accompanied by an apostille/ legalisation note according to the information of the German embassy in the country of marriage

- language certificate, minimum level A1 (see further information below)

B. family reunion with a spouse holding EU-citizenship

- informal invitation letter, passport copy and proof of registration of your spouse living in Germany

- marriage certificate, if the marriage took place in a third country accompanied by an apostille/ legalisation note according to the information of the German embassy in the country of marriage

C. family reunion with a spouse not holding an EU-citizenship

- informal invitation letter, passport copy and proof of registration of your spouse living in Germany

- marriage certificate, if the marriage took place in a third country accompanied by an apostille/ legalisation note according to the information of the German embassy in the country of marriage

- language certificate, minimum level A1 (see further information below) unless your spouse has a residence permit for work reasons

D. family reunion of a minor child with a parent living in Germany

- informal invitation letter and proof of registration of parent living in Germany

- birth certificate, if the birth took place in a third country accompanied by an apostille/ legalisation note according to the information of the German embassy in the country of marriage

- marriage certificate of the parents or acknowledgement of paternity, if the marriage or acknowledgement of paternity took place in a third country accompanied by an apostille/ legalisation note according to the information of the German embassy in this country

- passport copies of both parents

- if applicable: proof of sole custody

General information:

· Health insurance: The mandatory health insurance in Germany covers you only once you have actually started to work in Germany. This also applies for family insurances. Therefore, together with your visa application you have to provide an additional travel health insurance for the validity of your visa. It is not sufficient to submit your Lithuanian health insurance card as this insurance will end upon leaving Lithuania.

· If you have to prove knowledge of German, you have to submit a language certificate issued by the Goethe Institut, ÖSD, telc language schools or TestDaF.

· All foreign language documents (except passport) have to be accompanied by a translation into German.

· Foreign marriage and birth certificate have to be accompanied by an apostille or legalisation note. Information which procedure is applicable for your certificates can be found on the website of the German embassy in the country of origin of the certificate.

· Make sure to submit all requested documents. Incomplete applications may be refused upon submitting or after processing your application. The embassy may request additional documents upon submitting or while processing your application.