German Visa and Laws - Spouse Visa

Important notice before we start with the details of this visa type:

Persons applying for a visa in Pakistan have to provide a valid proof of vaccination against POLIO. This is in agreement with the new WHO guidelines and Government of Pakistan. The vaccination cannot be older than one year and should be done at least four weeks prior to applying for a visa. That means you can get it done a month or two before you plan to apply for the visa. A Proof has to be submitted in the valid International Certificate for Vaccination.
You can download the declaration form here: Polio Vaccination Declaration

Note: If you fail to provide this vaccination proof, you won’t be issued visa.

You can apply at one of the two following places depending upon the area you live:

1. Applicants of Sindh and Balouchistan that are the ones who have their permanent residence in the above mentioned provinces need to apply for the visa at Consulate General Karachi.
2. Applicants of all other provinces and areas in Pakistan should apply at German Embassy Islamabad.
   

Below are the two ways to book your appointment for visa depending on the area where you’re applying:

1. For applications at the German embassy in ISLAMABAD: You can book your visa appointment only online. You cannot book it by phone or e-mail. So don’t bother calling the embassy, they won’t entertain you.
   
• For applications at the consulate You can book your appointment here: Polio Vaccination Declaration
  
2. General KARACHI: You can apply for the visa here without an appointment. You can directly go to the Consulate General and collect the token and wait for your turn. The tokens are given on first come first basis at every morning 7:15 am. There are limited numbers of tokens given so be early if it’s really urgent for you to apply.
   

Application form
Important things to know:

• Fill the form either on a computer or with the help of a typewriter.
• Each person applying for a visa should have his own form. 
• Form need to be signed by the applicant applying. For minors (under 16) their parents/guardian need to sign it. 
• If you’re applying as a spouse, your age should be minimum 18 years.
• You can download the form from the link given below: Polio Vaccination Declaration
  

Passport size photos
Take three passport-sized pictures with you when you go for the submission of your form.

Important things to know:

• Each applicant should take his/her three photos.
• Take three photos of the spouse/family member already living in Germany.
• Photos should not be older than three months.
• Get your pictures clicked with white background.
• Do not take a computer printout of your picture. It should be properly printed on photo paper from a professional photo printing machine.
  

You can get more information about the photos from the link given below: Sample Photos

A valid Pakistani passport
To apply for the visa you should be having a valid Pakistani passport with you.
Important things to know:

• Your passport should be valid at least for three months after your requested visa periods expire.
• Make copies of pages 0-3 of your passport and copies of all pages with previous stamps and visa.
• Copies of former passports (if any) and copies of pages with stamps and visa (if any)
  

Passport copies of your spouse / family member living in Germany
Get a copy of the passport of the spouse/family member who is living in Germany containing following:

• His / her personal information
• The issuance data of the passport
• All residence permits / visas
• All entry and exit stamps
  

Applicant’s declaration
Applicants need to sign a declaration stating that all the information you provide is true and good to your knowledge and that you will not provide any false information knowingly or else if found you may not be given the visa or may be liable to a legal action.
You can download the declaration form from the link given below: Applicant´s Declaration

Original Pakistani birth certificate
Take your original birth certificate accompanying the English or German translation of it. It should be attested by Magistrate first class / Nazim.

Registration “Form B”
You have to take this form stating the head of the household under whom the applicant(s) is / are registered. Take an along English or German translation of it.

Proof of previous marriage(s) (if any)
If you were married before then you need to take a proof of that marriage and that now you’re divorced. A proof of divorce is required as well. If the previous spouse if died take the original death certificate.
Important things to know:
* If your previous spouse is died take the original death certificate along with the copies of it.
* Original divorce certificate is required along with the copies of it.
* Original Urdu certificates are required along with the translation in English or German.
* All certificates must be attested by Magistrate First Class/ Nazim.

Certificate of residency in Germany ("Meldebescheinigung")
You have to take the certificate of residency in Germany of the spouse/ family member staying in there. Make sure it is not older than or issued not longer than 6 months back.

Proof of German language (one of the important documents)
To join your spouse/ family member in Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany wants you to know some basic German language so that you don’t have to struggle in making yourselves involved in German society and culture. There are five levels of the German language from A1-A2-B1-B2-C1 but giving a proof of the first level i.e.; A1 is sufficient. However, there are some following exceptions to it where knowing the language is not necessary:

• If the spouse/ family member whom you’re going to join in Germany holds a Blue card.
• If the spouse/ family member is a citizen of an EU member state (other than Germany).
• For applicants who apply for a family reunion with their German child.
• If the spouse/ family member whom you’re going to join in Germany is an acknowledged asylum seeker or refugees according to the Geneva Convention for Refugees (if the marriage already existed at the time when he or she established their main ordinary residence outside Pakistan).
  

Now, how can you learn and get this proof of the language in Pakistan?
You need to provide a proof of your language abilities according to the standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). In Pakistan you can take such exams only at Goethe-Institut.
Either you can learn the language by yourself doing some online courses and take the exam at Goethe-Institut (GI) or you can take the classes at Goethe-Institut and then take the exam. Goethe-Institut is recognized by the German Embassy. However, below you can find the alternatives where you can learn the language but they are not recommended by the embassy. You can take the exam only at one of the three centres specified by the embassy, which are conducted by Goethe-Institut.

• The officials may ask for additional information at the time of the visa interview.
• All copies of documents should be in A4 size. For applications at the embassy Islamabad take 3 copies of each above mentioned documents and for the applications at Consulate General Karachi take 2 copies of each above mentioned documents. Do not forget to take the originals with you. 
• Do not staple any documents.