Germany has issued a record number of family reunification visas so far this year, bringing the number of migrants who entered the country through the scheme in the last decade to nearly a million.

According to the German Federal Foreign Office, from the beginning of the year until November 2023, a total of 121,000 family reunification visas have been issued to nationals of non-European Union countries,

Such a high number of family reunification visas granted until the end of November overtakes the previous record of 2017 and at the same time surpasses last year’s figures.

In 2017, Germany granted the highest number ever of visas for family reunification – a total of 117,992.

Since then, the number of granted family reunification visas has remained high, with 107,354 family reunification visas granted in 2018, 107,520 family reunification visas in 2019, 75,978 family reunification visas in 2020, and 104,640 family reunification visas in 2021.

Last year, Germany granted a high number of family reunification visas too. However, compared to this year’s they remain below. In 2022, Germany granted a total of 117,034 family reunification visas.

According to Nius, through the family reunification scheme, 930,000 migrants have entered Germany since 2015. Subsequently, the number of asylum applications has also increased over these years.

As the German authorities explain, spouses and registered partners as well as parents and minor, unmarried children can migrate to Germany to join their families.

Family members who enter Germany through the family reunification scheme are allowed to work in the country. They can start immediately provided that they have received a residence permit.

When applying for a Germany family reunification visa, family members need to hold a valid passport. Moreover, they should prove that they have not committed any crimes and should not pose a threat to Germany’s public safety.

Apart from family members abroad, those in Germany who wish to take their family to them must also meet certain requirements. Family members in Germany must prove that they hold a valid residence permit, have health insurance, are financially stable, and have sufficient space to accommodate their family members.

The German family reunion visa costs €75 for adults. On the other hand, children up to the age of 18 are required to pay €37,50.