You may join your German, minor, unmarried child if you are from a country outside the EU or the EEA, have custody of the German child, and intend to exercise that custody.

Custody encompasses both the right and the obligation to care for, raise, supervise, and determine the child’s place of residence. A child is considered a minor if they have not yet reached the age of 18. A person is considered unmarried if they are not married and have never been married; a person living in a registered civil partnership is also not considered unmarried.

If these requirements are met, you will be granted a residence permit.

You may also join your child even if you do not have parental custody. The prerequisite is that you already live with your child in a family unit in Germany. A family unit is presumed to exist if the family members maintain regular contact with one another that goes beyond mere visits. If the requirements are met, the authorities will exercise their discretion in deciding whether to grant the residence permit.

Under certain circumstances, the Immigration Office may require you to participate in an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.

The residence permit is a temporary residence permit and is issued for at least one year.