Family Reunification Visa: Who Can Apply and How Does the Process Work?

Family reunification is a legal framework that allows a person legally residing in a country to bring their family members living abroad and live together. Both European countries and Turkey have established specific conditions and procedures for this. Since incorrect or incomplete applications can cause long waiting periods and loss of rights, proper planning of the process is critically important.

Who Can Apply?

To apply for a family reunification visa, the reference person (the one bringing a family member) generally needs to meet the following conditions:

• Hold a valid residence permit of at least 1 year in the country
• Meet the minimum income threshold (varies by country)
• Provide adequate housing
• Have health insurance

Those who can apply as family members generally include: spouse, children under 18, and in some countries, dependent parents.

Family Residence Permit in Turkey

In Turkey, family reunification is achieved through the Family Residence Permit mechanism. The foreign spouse or children under 18 of a Turkish citizen or a foreigner with a valid residence permit can obtain this permit.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Processing times vary significantly by country. In Turkey, family residence permit decisions are usually made within 30-90 days. In European countries, the decision period can extend to 6-12 months in some cases.

Get Professional Support

The family reunification process is emotionally challenging and bureaucratically complex. Demirel Consultancy provides comprehensive support for family reunification applications for both Turkey and European countries. Contact us to be reunited with your family as soon as possible.