How to apply for German Spouse(Family Reunion)Visa from Pakistan
Disclamer:
I am sharing my personal experience so that it can help people , who are currently in the visa process or planning to apply for German Spouse Visa from Pakistan.
This article will give a step by step guide on how to apply for a German Spouse Visa in 2020 considering the current waiting time to get an appointment at the German Embassy Islamabad.
How to book an appointment for a German spouse Visa?
Currently, you can not book an appointment directly from the embassy website. The embassy has introduced an online registration form to apply for the appointment. Appointments are allocated chronologically (in order of the registrations, first come first serve basis). According to the embassy’s website, it can take more than a year to get an appointment for a German Spouse (family reunion) visa.
Applicants from Iran have to follow the same appointment registration procedure at the German Embassy of Tehran, Iran, with a waiting time of approximately 6 weeks.
Applicants from Afghanistan for long-term visa applications (such as family reunion etc.) and Schengen visa applicants, who reside in Afghanistan and fall under the regional consular jurisdiction of the German Embassy Kabul, can now file their visa applications at the German Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan.
Applicants from India should give this article a read for step by step guide. >> My spouse’s experience with Family Reunion Visa (for Germany from India) by Rishikesh Dhokare.
I have been waiting for an appointment for more than a year and a half. I registered myself for an appointment on May 15, 2019, and to this date, June 8, 2020, I have not got an appointment. And I personally know people who have applied even before me and are still waiting. I made the mistake of gathering the required documents first and then register for the appointment. Do not repeat my mistake, and register for an appointment first and then move on to the next step. This way you can smartly utilize the waiting time and prepare your visa application easily instead of waiting idle. I would highly suggest you register yourself before proceeding to the next step. (Even if you are not married yet and are planning to get married soon, and you register yourself now, you will still have plenty of time to get married, go to honeymoon, complete the documentation, and file your application 2 years later. Thanks to the German Embassy Islamabad. :D)
Please visit this page to register yourself for an appointment at German embassy Islamabad>>Registration to apply for a long-term visa for a family reunion.
What are the required documents for a German spouse visa?
There is a list of required documents on the embassy website (link is given below).
I am discussing an important document to be submitted. i.e Proof of sufficient basic knowledge of the German language (A1 language Certificate.
In Pakistan, this exam can only be taken at the Goethe-Institut (GI). And you need to properly plan and prepare for this exam.
Visit this page to read the other Documents to be submitted for a family reunion visa.
How to prepare for German Language A1?
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is a German exam for adults. It certifies that candidates have acquired very basic language skills. Passing this exam demonstrates that you can communicate in a simple manner if the person you are speaking to talks slowly and clearly, understand and use familiar, everyday and common expressions and simple sentences (e.g. information about yourself and your family or about shopping, work, and your immediate surroundings), and introduce yourself and others, as well as ask others about themselves, e.g. where they live, who they know and what they own.
I prepared for this exam last year and passed it with a really good score (96/100). You need a minimum of 60/100 to pass the test. I have gathered all the information and provided different resources to prepare for the exam based on my personal experience. Please read my article on how to prepare for German Language A1.
