Family Reunification
Family reunification is the ability to include family members in an application or bring them to join the main applicant so they can obtain status together or later.
Family reunification is an important part of many investment migration programs. The main applicant can usually include close relatives — a spouse and children — in the application, and some programs also allow parents, grandparents, or other dependent family members.
Depending on the program, family members receive the same status as the main applicant — a residence permit or citizenship — or they are given the right to join the applicant later. Sometimes separate conditions or fees apply for including each additional family member.
The range of relatives who can be included and the requirements for them — such as the age of children or financial dependence — vary depending on the country and program. The exact rules for family reunification should be checked for each specific program.
| What it is | Including relatives in the main applicant's status |
| Who it usually covers | Spouses, children and dependent relatives |
| When it is arranged | Together with the main application or later |
| Not to be confused with | A relative's separate standalone application |
| Role in investment migration | One investment — status for the whole family |
How it works in practice
- At the start, the family composition is defined: who qualifies under the program's rules as a spouse, child or dependent.
- A separate document set is collected for each family member — proof of relationship, passports, certificates, evidence of dependency.
- Adult family members generally go through due diligence on a par with the main applicant.
- Relatives who are born or marry into the family after approval can in many programs be added later through a separate procedure.
- Relationship documents from different countries are apostilled or legalized and translated per program requirements.
Common pitfalls
- ! Age limits for children and dependency criteria differ between programs — a relative eligible in one program may not qualify in another.
- ! Adult family members also pass due diligence: an issue in one person's background can affect the whole application.
- ! Adding a relative after approval is often costlier and harder than including them in the original application — plan the family composition upfront.
- ! Incomplete proof of relationship or dependency — studies, financial support — is a typical cause of delays.
“The real question is not whether you can bring the family, but who this particular country counts as family. Parents and grown children are usually the hard part, and proof of the relationship is checked line by line.”
Susana Ablyamitova — LawyerFAQ
Who can usually be included in the application together with the main applicant?
Most often a spouse and minor children, while some programs also allow parents, older children, and other dependent relatives.
Do family members receive the same status as the main applicant?
In many programs yes, but the exact scope of rights and conditions for each family member varies by country.
Can a spouse or child be added after the application is approved?
In many programs yes — through a separate procedure for new family members, for example after a birth or marriage. The conditions and cost of adding differ from the original application.
Do family members go through due diligence?
Yes, adult family members are usually vetted on a par with the main applicant. A refusal for one included person can affect the decision on the whole application.
What documents are needed for family members?
Typically civil status and relationship documents, passports, police clearance for adults, and proof of dependency for older children or parents. The list depends on the program; documents are legalized and translated.
Does the family keep the status if something happens to the main applicant?
In many programs family members retain their status, but the procedure depends on the country and status type. Clarify this before filing — especially for residence tied to the main applicant.