Route: family

Spouses, children and parents: A1 German, exemptions, visa from Nairobi.

Family reunification (AufenthG sections 27 ff.) depends on who is already in Germany and which title they hold. You apply for a visa in Nairobi first: Visa and Embassy. Documents: Documents.

Spouses

• Spouse of a foreigner in Germany (§ 30): both aged 18+, the sponsor holds a qualifying title, living costs and housing are secured, and the spouse shows simple German (A1). Exceptions in § 30 (1) S. 3:
  • Nr. 4: this follows the partner who already lives in Germany: a spouse joining a national of one of the states in § 41 AufenthV needs no A1. A Kenyan citizen in Germany is not covered, so a Kenyan spouse joining him or her needs A1 unless another exception applies.
  • Nr. 5: sponsor holds a Blue Card, an ICT card, a Mobile-ICT card, or a title under §§ 18a, 18b, 18c (3), 18d, 18f, § 19c (1) (certain activities), § 19c (2), § 19c (4) S. 1 or § 21. No A1 needed.
• Spouse of a German (§ 28 (1) S. 1 Nr. 1): § 28 (1) S. 5 applies § 30 (1) S. 1 Nr. 1-2, S. 3 and § 30 (2) S. 1 correspondingly, so A1 is required except in the exempted cases (illness or disability, low integration need, and unreasonableness). Source: § 28, § 30.
• Language courses: Goethe-Institut Nairobi and approved test centres: check the Embassy and Goethe sites for A1 certificate providers; we did not verify which certificates are accepted.

Children

Minor unmarried children of a foreigner with a qualifying title: § 32. Age limits, custody proof and exemptions not checked in detail. Children of a German: § 28 (1) Nr. 2. Birth certificates: Documents.

Parents

• Hardship (§ 36 (2)): other family members only to avoid an exceptional hardship.
• Parents of skilled workers (§ 36 (3)): if a Blue Card, ICT card or a title under §§ 18a, 18b, 18c (3), 18d, 18f, 19c (1) (certain jobs), 19c (2)/(4) or § 21 was granted for the first time on or after 1 March 2024, the parents may receive a permit if living costs are secured. Parents-in-law are covered too if the spouse lives permanently in Germany. Source: § 36. Health insurance for parents is a practical obstacle: Health.

Fiancé(e)s and partners

The Embassy has a page for fiancé(e) visas listing, among others, proof of A1, a certificate from the German registry office confirming the wedding notice and a certificate of no impediment (Embassy page). Unregistered partnerships were not checked.