This page brings together shared experiences from people who have recently gone through the Family Reunification Visa (FRV) process. Every journey is different—some quick, some painfully slow—but each one offers a glimpse into what you might expect along the way.
If you’ve been through the process yourself, you’re invited to add your voice. You can share your experience using our simple form on this page
Family Reunification Visa -Share your experience Share your journey and help others make sense of the Spousal Visa or Family Reunification Visa (FRV) process. Your experience—whether smooth or challenging—can guide someone else through the unknown and make the road a little easier to walk. We’ll publish your experience right here
Take your time browsing through these experiences. Somewhere between the lines, you’ll find reassurance, perspective—and perhaps a little patience for the road ahead.
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2026-02-09 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 75 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Engaged |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | No – married in Germany |
| Apostille Required | No – married in Germany |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
We waited two months before following up with the Ausländerbehörde, only to find the application wasn’t on their system. The consulate confirmed it had been received, but we were sent back and forth between offices. Just as we planned to go in person, the visa was approved.
Timing was tight as we were getting married in Germany. You can only enter two weeks before the wedding, so plan carefully. It can be frustrating—but persistence pays off. Don’t give up. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2025-01-27 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 116 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | I am a parent to a German child (see next question) |
| Parent to a German Child | I am a parent to a German child and applied for the “parent to a minor German child” visa, as it is less restrictive and easier to obtain |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | Language requirement was waived |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
Expect a long wait—up to 90 days or more. This case took 116 days from application to approval. Prepare for the full timeline from the start and don’t assume something is wrong just because you haven’t heard back.
Keep digital and paper copies of all documents: passport, marriage certificate, rental agreement, children’s birth certificates, and anything submitted. Even documents not listed (like a rental agreement) may be requested later. Communication with the Ausländerbehörde can be extremely difficult. Calls and official emails may go unanswered. In this case, a response only came after finding an alternative departmental email. Communication was in German, which may have helped. Join support groups. Communities like South Africans in Germany can help you stay grounded, compare timelines, and feel less alone. Book flights conservatively. This visa was approved about one month before departure—tight, but manageable. Stay emotionally prepared. The process can be draining, especially when family is involved. Find small ways to stay grounded. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2024-12-20 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 45 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | Dual SA and DE |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of an A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2024-09-25 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 12 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | — |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | No – married in Germany |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
Start preparing for the A1 exam as early as possible.
Even though the marriage took place in Europe, the certificate was still apostilled. Gather all documents carefully and prepare two full sets (copies). The FRV checklist is straightforward, and if your partner is German, you are exempt from the visa fee. There was no option to keep the passport during the process. A Verpflichtungserklärung was included, and the spouse in Germany was only asked to provide two additional documents. All documents were submitted in English—no translation was required. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-08-23 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 82 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Engaged |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | No – married in Germany |
| Apostille Required | No – married in Germany |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
The full journey took around two and a half years before the visa was finally approved.
Documents required to get married in Germany included: • Passport copies (notarised) • Unabridged birth certificate (apostilled and translated) • Letter of Non-Impediment — this alone took a year to obtain from Home Affairs, so start as early as possible (apostilled and translated) • “Versicherung zum Familienstand” (obtained via the German Embassy as an “Eidesstattliche Versicherung,” which ultimately helped when challenges arose in Germany) Permission to marry was granted on 28 July 2023, with a deadline of 05 January 2024. The marriage took place on 04 January to stay within that window and allow time to apply for the visa. When applying for the FRV, a Verpflichtungserklärung from the fiancé in Germany was also included. It’s a long road—start early, prepare thoroughly, and keep going. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2024-02-06 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 14 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | In a relationship |
| Children | I am a parent to a German child (see next question) |
| Parent to a German Child | I am a parent to a German child and applied for the “parent to a minor German child” visa, as it is less restrictive and easier to obtain |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | No |
| Apostille Required | No |
| Language Requirement | Language requirement was waived |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
Initially, a Schengen visa was applied for both parent and baby. The embassy advised that the baby could not be issued a visa and instead needed to apply for a German passport.
They further recommended applying for a national visa instead. It was possible to apply for the national visa at the same time as the baby’s passport. The visa was processed relatively quickly, while the baby’s passport took longer. Tip: email the embassy and clearly explain your situation—they can be understanding and helpful. Reaching out through the correct channels can make a real difference. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2024-01-24 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 19 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
Tom also sent us detailed info that we added to this page
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-10-31 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 23 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
The decision to emigrate was made the previous November, and the months leading up to the application were spent preparing thoroughly.
This included gathering documents, resigning from jobs, and making practical arrangements for the move overseas. Starting early and using that time wisely can make the process far smoother when application day finally arrives. |
| Name | Daichan |
|---|---|
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-08-02 |
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 78 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Engaged |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | — |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | No – married in Germany |
| Apostille Required | No – married in Germany |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
Start with the language as early as possible.
Begin working with Home Affairs early to gather all required documents—especially important if you plan to get married in Germany. The sooner you start, the fewer surprises you’ll face later. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-10-04 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 10 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | South African passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | — |
| Spouse Visa Type | Work visa (not Blue Card) |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | Language requirement was waived |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
The application was initiated in Germany. Shortly after, the spouse in Germany received an email from the Welcome Center requesting confirmation of details such as accommodation, income, medical cover, and a data protection form.
There were minor delays in obtaining certain documents—particularly a recent (less than one month old) employment confirmation from the employer, which took about five days. Once all documents were submitted, approval came within four days. Instructions were then given to book flights, arrange travel insurance, and send proof to the embassy in South Africa, after which the visa was issued. Overall, the process was smooth. No language requirement applied, as the spouse in Germany held a research-related visa. The arriving spouse is permitted to work in any type of job. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-05-03 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 110 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | Turkish passport with EU Blue Card residency in Germany |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | Blue Card (highly skilled) |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | No – married in Germany |
| Apostille Required | No – married in Germany |
| Language Requirement | Language requirement was waived |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
An agency assisted with the application and handled follow-ups with the visa authorities in Germany.
The application appeared to be on hold while additional documents were requested. About two weeks before approval, they were asked to submit updated payslips for the spouse and a current rental agreement from the landlord. Two weeks after submitting these documents, the visa was issued. Tip: even if things seem quiet, your application may simply be waiting on additional documentation—stay responsive and keep everything up to date. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2022-09-29 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 184 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | Dual SA and DE |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | — |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
Prepare thoroughly for the A1 exam—it’s costly, and failing can delay your process while waiting for the next available test date.
Apostille all unabridged documents and consider translating them into German. This can be helpful later for administrative processes, such as converting a driver’s licence. Delays can happen due to workload at the Ausländerbehörde, especially in smaller towns. In this case, the office was extremely busy, and confusion arose because a long-standing marriage was not registered in Germany and was mistakenly assumed to have taken place there. Having a German-speaking contact can help. A family member assisted by communicating directly with the office, which eventually moved things forward. Expect delays beyond the stated timelines—being prepared for a longer wait can save a lot of frustration. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-03-08 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 35 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | South African passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | Work visa (not Blue Card) |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | No |
| Tips |
Start your German A1 preparation as early as possible. Booking a test date can take time, and this was the biggest delay in the process.
The Goethe Institute in Johannesburg provided results within a week, but the wait for an available test date was around two months. Begin the apostille process for your unabridged marriage certificate at least six months in advance if possible. Using an expediting service can be worth it for the time saved. Once you have your appointment, make sure all your documents are complete—missing paperwork can delay the entire process. Preparation early on makes all the difference. Good luck! |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-01-11 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 62 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | Language requirement was waived |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
The waiting period can be emotionally and mentally draining—being apart from your spouse is not easy.
Remember that the embassy forwards your application to the relevant Ausländerbehörde in the area you are moving to. If you follow up, make sure you are contacting the correct office. It’s best to wait a few weeks before following up. Even if responses are limited or non-existent, it can still be worth trying. The embassy cannot provide detailed updates on your application, but their response time to emails can still be helpful. Patience—and a bit of faith—go a long way in this process. Good luck. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-02-21 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 28 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | German passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Engaged |
| Children | No children involved |
| Parent to a German Child | NA |
| Spouse Visa Type | German passport holder |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | No |
| Apostille Required | No |
| Language Requirement | A minimum of A1 level was required |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
It took about 10 days to receive an email from the Ausländerbehörde, followed by a couple more weeks to hear back from the Consulate in Cape Town.
While Home Affairs and DIRCO often get a bad reputation for apostilles, this experience was smooth and straightforward. On the German side, the process may have moved faster because the marriage was registered at a smaller, quieter Rathaus in the countryside. Sometimes, the location—and a bit of luck—can quietly speed things along. |
| When did you apply for your FRV | 2023-01-04 |
|---|---|
| How many days did you wait before it was approved | 42 |
| Applicant Nationality | South African passport |
| Spouse Nationality | South African passport |
| Marital Status at Application | Married |
| Children | Children hold South African passports |
| Parent to a German Child | — |
| Spouse Visa Type | Work visa (not Blue Card) |
| Unabridged Marriage Certificate Required | Yes |
| Apostille Required | Yes |
| Language Requirement | Language requirement was waived |
| Work Permission in Germany | Yes |
| Tips |
The waiting period can be difficult, and getting a response from the Ausländerbehörde may require multiple follow-ups.
In many cases, if there is no update on your application, they may simply not respond at all. Persistence matters—keep following up, even if it feels like you’re knocking on a quiet door. |
Family Reunification Visa Family reunification in Germany allows close family members to join their relatives living in Germany—whether those relatives are German citizens or third-country nationals with valid residence (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or settlement permits (Niederlassungserlaubnis). Eligible family members include: Spouses or registered partners Minor children to foreign parent (unmarried) Parents of a
Long term visas Long-term visas apply to stays in Germany of more than 90 days and are typically issued for purposes such as work or study. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa allowing you to enter Germany. After arrival, you must apply for your residence permit
Getting Married Navigating the process of getting married in Germany can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not a German citizen. On our Facebook page, we often receive questions about marriage in Germany, and two scenarios come up most frequently: A South African marrying a German citizen. Two unmarried South Africans
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