To obtain a short stay visa those traveling are required to prove they have the adequate funds to provide for themselves and their family for the entire duration of the trip. Should they not have the full amount, a host resident in Germany would have to prove that they can cover the costs, including medical bills.
For those applying for a visa, medical insurance covering every member of the family is also required and must cover up to a minimum of 30,000 euros.
Before short stay visas are granted the authorities will make sure those applying for the visa are in no way a threat to the country and that they have every intention of returning to where they arrived from.
There are two types of residence visas available, limited and unlimited. Before applying for each of these visas a person must go to the local registration office within the first 10 to 14 days of arriving. To get a registration certificate a person must bring their family with their passports and proof of a permanent address in Germany, such as a rental contract.
Residence visas must be applied for at the district office. Requirements for applying include valid passports for each member of the family, two passport photos per person, proof of permanent address, proof that the finances can support the family, health insurance, the registration certificate, marriage certificate, and birth certificates for the children. These all must be the originals and not photocopies.
Germany does not recognize couples who are unmarried but living together as legal couples. This should not be a problem providing both parties are working, but if they are not then the non-working partner will not receive a visa unless he can prove they have skills that are in demand in Germany and that they will find work quickly and easily.
Should a mother be the one who is denied a visa, the children have to follow her out of the country under German law.
Getting married before arriving in Germany can sort this out much more easily.
