Luxembourg Spouse Visa for Immigrants – Visa Sponsorship in Luxembourg

What is a Luxembourg Spouse Visa?

A spouse visa is a type of visa that allows the husband or wife of a person living in Luxembourg to come and live with them. It falls under family reunification, which means helping families live together in one place.

If your spouse (husband or wife) is living in Luxembourg legally – maybe they work there or study there – they can sponsor you to come live with them. This is a great way for married couples or partners to stay together and build their lives in Luxembourg.

This visa is not just for people from the EU. Even if you’re from a country outside the European Union (like Nigeria, India, Philippines, etc.), you can still apply.

What Is Visa Sponsorship?

Visa sponsorship means that your spouse takes legal responsibility for you while you’re in Luxembourg. They must show that:

They can support you financially
They have a place for you to live
They are legally allowed to stay in Luxembourg

This is important because the Luxembourg government wants to be sure that the person coming into the country won’t struggle or become a burden.

Who Can Apply for a Spouse Visa?

To apply for a spouse visa, you must meet some basic conditions.

You can apply for this visa if:

Who Can Sponsor a Spouse to Luxembourg?

The person in Luxembourg who is bringing their spouse is called the sponsor. A sponsor can be:

A non-EU citizen with a valid residence permit
A European Union (EU) citizen living in Luxembourg
A Luxembourg citizen

The sponsor must also:

Have a place to live that is big enough for both of you
Have enough money or income to support both of you
Be staying in Luxembourg legally and permanently

Documents You Need to Apply

To apply for a Luxembourg spouse visa, you will need to gather a number of important documents. These documents include:

Marriage certificate (translated into French, German, or English if not already)
Passport copy of the spouse who is applying
Proof of accommodation (a rental agreement or housing certificate)
Proof of income or job from the sponsor (like salary slips or work contract)
Residence permit or ID card of the sponsor
Proof of health insurance
A completed visa application form
Passport photos (recent and passport-size)
Criminal record certificate (from the country you currently live in)

Make sure all documents are clear and valid. If your documents are in another language, you must get them translated by a certified translator.

Steps to Apply for a Spouse Visa in Luxembourg

If you want to apply for spouse visa, you should first ensure that you meet the criteria

Before applying, check that:

Your marriage is legal and genuine
Your spouse has legal status in Luxembourg
You meet the age and document requirements

Now let’s look at the steps to follow in applying for a spouse visa:

Step 1: Get Pre-Approval from the Immigration Department

Before traveling to Luxembourg, you must get a temporary authorization to stay from the Luxembourg Immigration Directorate. Your spouse (the one living in Luxembourg) will usually help apply for this on your behalf. Your spouse must submit a request to the Immigration Directorate in Luxembourg. This is called a “family reunification authorisation”.

They will submit:

A request letter for family reunification
Your marriage certificate
A copy of their residence permit or national ID card
Proof of income (such as recent payslips or employment contract)
Proof of suitable housing (for example, a tenancy agreement or housing certificate)
A copy of your passport
Health insurance details that will cover you when you arrive

Once these documents are submitted, the Immigration Directorate in Luxembourg will review the application. If approved, you will receive a “temporary authorization to stay” (autorisation de séjour temporaire). This is not your visa yet, but it’s the green light you need to move to the next step.

Step 2: Apply for a Visa at the Embassy

With the temporary authorization in hand, the next step is to apply for a Type D visa at the Luxembourg Embassy or Consulate in your country.

These are what you will need to take to the embassy:

The temporary authorization to stay
Your passport (must be valid for at least 6 months)
Filled-out Type D visa application form
Passport-sized photos (follow EU photo rules)
Proof of accommodation and health insurance
Any additional documents requested by the embassy

They may also ask you questions about your relationship or marriage just to make sure everything is genuine. Be honest and calm—it’s part of the process.

If everything goes well, you’ll receive your visa and can travel to Luxembourg.

Step 3: Travel to Luxembourg

Now that your visa has been approved, you can finally pack your bags and move to Luxembourg.

Make sure to carry:

Your passport
The visa
A copy of the temporary authorization to stay
Copies of all supporting documents

Once you arrive in Luxembourg, there are a few things to do quickly.

Step 4: Register at the Local Commune and Finalize Your Stay

Within 3 days of arriving in Luxembourg, you must:

Register your arrival at the local town hall (commune) where you’ll live.
Undergo a medical check-up (including a chest x-ray and maybe some blood tests) through the National Health Directorate.
Apply for your residence permit (titre de séjour) at the Immigration Department.

This residence permit allows you to live and stay in Luxembourg legally. It usually lasts for 1 year and is renewable as long as your marriage and residency remain valid.

Benefits of Having a Spouse Visa in Luxembourg

Once you get your spouse visa and residence permit, here are some of the rights and benefits you’ll enjoy:

You can work – either part-time or full-time.
You can study at any public or private school or university.
You can move freely within the Schengen Area (most EU countries).
You can apply for permanent residency later, if you live in Luxembourg for a certain number of years.
Your children can join you, if you have any.

Luxembourg has a strong legal system that protects the rights of immigrants and promotes family life, so you’ll be in good hands.

How Long Can You Stay?

Your first residence permit is normally valid for 1 year. After that, you can renew it each year as long as:

Your marriage is still valid
You are still living in Luxembourg
You meet all requirements (housing, income, etc.)

After 5 years of legal stay, you may even apply for permanent residency or Luxembourg citizenship, depending on your situation.

What If Things Change?

Sometimes life happens. You might wonder what happens if:

Your marriage ends:

If you get divorced, your right to stay in Luxembourg might be affected. It depends on how long you’ve lived there and your own personal situation. If you’ve already built a life there (like working or studying), you may be allowed to stay.

Your spouse loses their permit:

If your sponsoring spouse loses their job or residence permit, it could affect your visa as well. You’ll need to talk to the immigration office about your options.

Just in case you’ve forgotten, let’s quickly go over what we’ve learned:

You must be legally married to apply
Your spouse in Luxembourg is your sponsor
You need to get temporary approval, then apply for a Type D visa
After arriving, you must register and get your residence permit
Once approved, you can live, work, study, and enjoy family life in Luxembourg

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply if my spouse is a student in Luxembourg?

Yes. As long as your spouse is legally living in Luxembourg with a valid residence permit (including for study), they can sponsor you.

2. Can I work as soon as I arrive in Luxembourg?

You’ll need to wait until you get your residence card, but yes—once you have it, you can work legally.

3. Do I need to know French or Luxembourgish to apply?

No. Language is not a requirement for the spouse visa. But learning the local language can help you settle in better.

4. Is a religious wedding certificate enough?

No. Luxembourg requires a civil marriage certificate issued by the government. Religious certificates alone are not accepted.

5. What if my spouse is unemployed?

Your spouse must show enough income or resources to support both of you. If they’re unemployed and cannot prove this, the application may be denied.

6. Can I bring my parents along?

No. The family reunification visa in this case only covers spouses and children. Parents can apply under other family-based visas, but they are harder to get.

7. Do we need to live in the same house?

Yes. You and your spouse must plan to live together in Luxembourg. Separate housing arrangements are not accepted.

8. Can we apply while I’m already in Europe?

Maybe. It depends on your visa status in that European country. But it’s generally better (and safer) to apply from your home country.

Conclusion

Applying for a Luxembourg spouse visa may seem like a long process, but it’s very much worth it if you want to live with your loved one in one of Europe’s safest and most beautiful countries. It’s a system designed to make sure families can live together in peace and security. If you follow the steps carefully, provide all the right documents, and stay patient, there’s a great chance your visa will be approved.

You may be moving from Africa, Asia, or anywhere else in the world, Luxembourg is ready to offer you a new home where love, family, and opportunity go hand in hand.