A1 German test for a family reunion visa in India

Key Takeaways

• A joining spouse needs the A1 German test for a family reunion visa, unless an exemption applies.
• Goethe, telc, and ÖSD certificates are examples of recognized A1 German test certificates for a family reunion visa in India.
• Goethe-Institut India lists Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 as its A1 German test for the spousal reunification visa.
• You pass the A1 German test for a family reunion visa with at least 60 of 100 points and all four sections completed.
• You can book the A1 German test for a family reunion visa via Goethe-Institut India’s exam page.
• You should bring a passport during your A1 German test. It is the only ID accepted since 1 September 2025.

Table of contents

Who needs the A1 German test for a family reunion visa from India?

The A1 German test for a family reunion visa from India proves that a joining spouse can use basic German before entering Germany. A joining spouse usually needs it in these two situations:

• If your sponsor is a foreign resident, you need the A1 German test unless an exemption applies (Section 30 of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG)).
• If your sponsor is a German citizen, you need the A1 German test in almost every case.

A1 is the first level on the European language scale, and it covers simple everyday German.

If you claim obvious knowledge of German, the German Missions in India will ask you to upload supporting documents. No special proof is needed if your German is clear beyond any doubt at your personal appointment (BAMF (2023)).

Child cases and other family categories can have different language rules, so confirm your visa category before you book an exam.

Who is exempted from taking the A1 German test for a family reunion visa?

There are several situations in which you can skip the A1 German test for a family reunion visa (§ 30(1) sentences 2 and 3 of the AufenthG).

Many exceptions cover spouses whose sponsor is a foreign resident. Your sponsor’s permit or citizenship can exempt you from taking the A1 German test in these cases:

• Your sponsor holds an EU Blue Card, an ICT Card, or a Mobile ICT Card.
• Your sponsor holds one of the skilled worker and related permits. See the full list of permits in our family reunification requirements guide.
• Your sponsor is a citizen of a country with visa-free entry for a longer stay (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance (Aufenthaltsverordnung, AufenthV)). These countries are:
  • Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States.
  • The United Kingdom (UK nationals)
  • Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino, but only if your sponsor does not plan to work, with some activities excepted under § 17(2) AufenthV. Ask the German mission that covers your state whether the A1 exemption applies to your sponsor.

Three more exemptions depend on the timing of your marriage or on your sponsor’s earlier permit:

• Protection or settlement permit. Your marriage already existed before your sponsor moved their center of life to Germany. Your sponsor also holds one of these permits:
  • A resettlement, asylum, or refugee protection permit (§ 23(4), § 25(1) or (2) AufenthG).
  • A settlement permit under § 26(3) AufenthG.
  • A § 26(4) AufenthG settlement permit granted after a residence permit under § 25(2) sentence 2 AufenthG.
• EU long-term residence permit from another EU country. Your sponsor holds a German residence permit under § 38a AufenthG, and your marriage already existed in that other EU country.
• Earlier skilled worker permit. Your sponsor held one of these permits immediately before receiving a settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit:
  • An EU Blue Card.
  • A permit under § 18a, § 18b, § 18d, § 19c(2), § 19c(4) sentence 1, or § 21 AufenthG.
  • A permit under § 19c(1) AufenthG for one of the roles named in the statute.

Your own situation can also exempt you from taking the A1 German test:

• You cannot prove basic German because of a physical or mental illness or disability.
• Your need for integration is clearly minimal under the integration course rules.
• You would not be entitled to an integration course after arrival.
• Individual circumstances make it impossible or unreasonable to try to learn basic German before entry. The law lists no examples, so the authorities weigh each claim on its facts.

If you’re not sure whether an exemption applies to you or not, we can help assess your case before you book an exam.

Which A1 German test do you take for a family reunion visa in India?

For a family reunion visa in India, you can use a recognized A1 German certificate from Goethe-Institut, telc, or the Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD). The German Missions in India (16 February 2026) lists the following certificates:

• Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan: “Start Deutsch 1”
• Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD): “Grundstufe Deutsch 1”
• telc GmbH: “Start Deutsch 1”

If you take the Goethe exam, you can take the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1. Goethe-Institut India lists this exam as a language certificate for the spouse reunification visa.

Important: The German Missions in India determine which certificates are accepted for visa purposes. Make sure to check your mission to know which certificates you should pursue.

What is the coverage of the A1 German test for a family reunion visa?

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 tests four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The written exam accounts for 75 points, while the speaking exam accounts for 25 points, for a total of 100 points.

The exam takes approximately 80 minutes. Here is what each part involves:

Part	What you do	Time
Listening	Answer tasks on short everyday conversations, phone messages, and announcements	20 minutes
Reading	Understand short notes, classified ads, signs, and notices	25 minutes
Writing	Fill in a simple form and write a short personal text	20 minutes
Speaking	Introduce yourself, ask and answer everyday questions, and ask someone for something. This is an oral group exam.	15 minutes

As of Oct 2026, from Goethe-Institut India.

To pass the test for your family reunion visa, you should meet these conditions:

• You score at least 60 of 100 points.
• You complete all four sections.

How do you book the A1 German test for a family reunion visa in India?

You book the A1 German test for a family reunion visa in India online, in seven steps:

1. Check which certificates the German Missions in India accept. The official guide on joining a spouse has a list of accepted certificates.
2. Check the certificate’s age when you apply. Your A1 German exam must not have been taken more than one year before your visa application.
3. Choose your exam city and date. Goethe-Institut India offers exams in the following cities and additional locations.
   • Goethe-Institut centres: Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata.Goethe-Zentren (partner centres): Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Trivandrum and Kochi (one centre site).
   Check exam availability and registration dates on the relevant website. Goethe-Institut India publishes dates quarterly, while Goethe-Zentren list their own schedules.
4. Register on the official website. Book at a Goethe-Institut centre through the Goethe-Institut India website. For a Goethe-Zentrum, use its own website, linked from the Goethe-Institut India exam page.
5. Check the booking terms before you pay. Goethe-Zentren set their own booking and payment terms. For a Goethe-Institut centre, the Goethe-Institut India exam terms say:
   • Fee: The online fee includes GST (India’s goods and services tax) and must be paid when you register.
   • Name: Enter your name exactly as in your passport, because it appears on your certificate. Goethe can correct spelling errors and minor mistakes for INR 2,900, including GST, if you request the correction in writing and provide proof before the exam day.
   • Date: You cannot change your exam date after registering. Fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another person.
   • Illness: If you are ill, you can request a transfer to the next exam date at the same centre by submitting a medical certificate within two weeks of the exam date. The fee is reduced by 25%.
6. Wait for your admission email. Goethe sends your admission time and exam details no later than four days before the exam.
7. Bring your passport and booking confirmation to the exam. Since 1 September 2025, a valid original passport has been the only accepted form of ID for Goethe exams from A1 to C2.

NOTE: Do not buy exam seats from third parties. Any offer to sell you a seat is fraudulent.

How do you prepare for the A1 German test for a family reunion visa?

Prepare for the A1 German test for a family reunion visa using Goethe-Institut India’s free exam training, which includes these materials:

• Three printable practice tests with solutions.
• Listening audio for each practice test.
• A vocabulary list.
• A video example of the speaking part.
• Interactive online training that shows whether each answer is right or wrong.

Set a timer to the exam’s time limits when you practise, so you can judge how ready you are.

How can you structure your study for the A1 German test for a family reunion visa?

We suggest these six steps to study for the A1 German test for a family reunion visa:

1. Take one mock test first. The result shows which of the four parts needs the most work.
2. Learn the A1 vocabulary list. Use the words in short sentences about everyday life.
3. Practise each part regularly. Do short listening tasks, read notices, fill in forms, write a short text, and speak aloud.
4. Take full practice tests with a timer. Follow the exam’s time limits and use the listening audio to get used to real exam conditions.
5. Review your mistakes. Repeat the weak tasks, then take another timed mock test.
6. Practise the speaking part with a partner. Goethe recommends a conversation partner if you have one.

NOTE: This study plan is our suggestion, not an official Goethe schedule.

What do you do after you pass the A1 German test for a family reunion visa?

After you pass the A1 German test for a family reunion visa, follow these three steps:

1. Check your result on MeinGoethe.de. Goethe publishes your result there on the date given at registration.
2. Download, print, and save your certificate. Download your certificate from your Mein Goethe account and save a copy. The format depends on where you took the exam:
   • Goethe-Institut centres in India: Exams taken from 1 March 2024 onward have digital certificates only. Goethe-Institut India’s terms state that digital certificates cannot be replaced.
   • Goethe-Zentren: Paper certificates are still issued until further notice. Contact your centre if you took the exam there.
3. Add the certificate to your visa documents. Check our family reunion visa document checklist and the German Missions in India’s guidance on joining a spouse to see which documents you need.

NOTE: Passing the exam does not guarantee a visa. The German mission still checks every other visa requirement.

FAQ

References

• Federal Foreign Office India, Joining a spouse or partner of a civil partnership
• Goethe-Institut India, Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
• Goethe-Institut India, Additions to the General Terms and Conditions, Examinations
• Goethe-Institut, Pass criteria Goethe-Zertifikat A1
• § 30 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)