Family reunification
Family reunification ( family reunification ) is an immigration of family members of a national or a foreigner with a residence permit for the purpose of establishing or maintaining the family unit at the same time or subsequently, even after the birth of a foreign child at home. A distinction is made between Spouses and children reunion.
Family reunification is granted differently in the various countries and the legal provisions differ significantly.
European Union
The family reunification by third -country nationals who reside legally on the territory of the Member States is governed by Directive 2003/86/EC ( Family Reunification Directive ) of 22 September 2003.
Consent to family reunification of third -country nationals will continue under national law, there arises in Germany the situation of reverse discrimination.
Germany
In the Federal Republic of Germany, family reunification is regulated by the Residence Act. The approval for family reunification is granted by foreigners authority in consultation with the German diplomatic representations. In August 2007, the amendment to the Act came into force. The approval takes place in a visa procedures and is linked to nationality, language skills, securing the livelihood and in some cases, apartment size since 2007.
In the year 2010 31.649 Visa for Spouses to Germany have been issued according to the Federal government worldwide. This meant a decline of 4.65 percent. 2005 or about 80,000 people came to Germany due granted family reunification.
The decline in Familiennachzüge to Germany was predictable - because of the saturation effect and the time announced by the then Minister of the Interior Wolfgang Schäuble tightening the subsequent immigration of spouses of an increased minimum age. This tightening of the spouse the age limit was established in 2007 to Parliament in and an increase at 21 years was planned by law. Was Enforced following further consultation a Ehegattennachzug age of 18 years. Likewise, it was finally decided that basic German language skills must be demonstrated in accordance with the A1 level of the European language certificate.
Family reunification is bound under certain conditions, to the income. In the explanatory memorandum states that this was the case when a family reunion abroad is reasonable, what is more likely to be the case for naturalized citizens or dual citizens than for German without different cultural background.
Since September 6, 2013 27 principle of family reunification, No. ( 5), any holder of a residence permit is entitled to family reunification for employment by the Residence §. ( Previously, this permission after the former § 29 paragraph 5 had been linked to the extent to permit the employment of the person who held to the family reunion. )
Switzerland
In Switzerland, the family reunion from 1 January 2008 is granted by the Swiss Aliens Act.