Welcome
Family Reunion
The German Embassy in Lusaka is only responsible for residents of Zambia and Malawi.
In most cases, the German Embassy requires the consent of the immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany before issuing a visa. Therefore the German Embassy has no influence on the processing times of the immigration authority and cannot guarantee that a long term visa will be issued in a set amount of time or before a certain date. In many cases 6 to 10 weeks is realistic. However, in some cases it even may take longer.
Taking fingerprints is part of the application; therefore all applications have to be submitted in person.
The visa fee is € 75 payable in Zambian Kwacha cash only! Please note that the fee is subject to change depending on the current exchange rate. It is a non-refundable administrative fee. In case your application is rejected you are not entitled to any refund!
Every application needs to consist of two identical applications (one for the Embassy and one for the immigration authorities in Germany). Therefore you need to provide two sets of documents in identical order.
The following sections indicate required documents for the most common purposes of long term stays in Germany. In case your purpose of stay is not covered, please check our Visa Navigator https://visa.diplo.de/en/#/vib. Additional documents might be needed.
Due to frequent forgery, all documents have to be provided as originals if not stated otherwise! An original document is never an email and/or a scanned document. Original documents are normally signed and stamped by the issuing person or otherwise authorised person.
You may also fill in your application form online via this link https://videx-national.diplo.de.
Please note that this is not an online application! It is not possible for you to submit your application online. It can only be submitted to the competent mission abroad or to an external service provider commissioned by the mission abroad.
The following documents have to be provided for a Family Reunion Visa (Spouse):
| Two completely filled out and signed application forms |
| Two biometric passport sized photos |
| Valid passport +2 copies of data page |
| National Registration Card of applicant + 2 copies (Zambian nationals) |
| If you are not a Zambian living in Zambia or Malawian living in Malawi: Work/ entry Permit + 2 copies |
| Legalized marriage certificate of applicant +2 copies |
| Legalized birth certificate of applicant +2 copies |
Proof of Basic knowledge of the German language Sufficient to prove your language skills is submitting a language certificate which has been acquired on the Basis of the Standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE Standard). These ALTE Standards apply to certificates issued by any Goethe Institute (GI) for the A1 language examination “Start Deutsch 1” (or a higher certificate of the Goethe Institute) Certificates from other language Schools not meeting the ALTE Standard cannot be accepted. As there is currently no Goethe Institute or certified Institute in Zambia or Malawi to take specific language tests., we suggest to contact the Goethe Institute in the neighboring countries: Harare/ Zimbabwe Johannesburg/ South Africa Windhoek/ Namibia Additionally, you may consider online courses or self-learn language courses and apps, books etc. |
| Two copies of passport of spouse |
| If you and/or your spouse were married before: legalized divorce decree or other legalized proof of dissolution of marriage +2 copies |
| If you have children: Legalized birth certificates of all children + 2 copies |
| If your spouse is NOT a German citizen: Rental contract stating the size of the house/ Apartment you and your spouse will leave in in Germany |
The following documents have to be provided for a Family Reunion Visa (Child to Parent):
Two completely filled out and signed application forms:
|
| Two biometric passport photos |
| Valid passport of applicant + 2 copies of data page |
| National Registration Card + 2 copies (Zambian citizens only) |
| Legalized birth certificate of applicant +2 copies |
| Legalized birth certificate of both parents + 2 copies |
| Two passport copies of parent in Germany (data page plus all pages with entry/ Exit stamps to Zambia/ Malawi) |
| If applicable: Legalized marriage certificate of parents +2 copies |
| If applicable: Legalized proof of custody +2 copies |
| If the parent in Germany is not a German citizen: Rental contract stating the size of the Apartment/ house that the child will be leaving in with parent in Germany |
The following documents have to be provided for a Family Reunion Visa (Parent to German Minor):
| Two completey filled out and signed application forms |
| Two biometric passport photos |
| Valid passport of applicant + two copies of data page |
| National Registration Card of applicant (Zambian citizen only) |
| Legalized birth certificate of applicant +2 copies |
Legalized birth certificate of German child + 2 copies In some cases, official documents of acknowledgement of paternity and/or other parent's consent to it might be needed |
| Two copies of child's German passport (data page) |
| If applicable: Legalized marriage certificate of parents + 2 copies |
| If applicable: Legalized proof of custody of German child +2 copies |