Immigration DNA Testing In Germany

Germany, also known as Das Land der Dichter und Denker (The Land of Poets and Thinkers), is home to many individuals with relatives seeking to petition for them to obtain a U.S. visa. In some cases, petitioners submit visa applications with insufficient primary evidence, which may lead USCIS or a U.S. embassy to suggest voluntary DNA testing.

Below, USI DNA provides an overview of what you can expect from the immigration DNA testing process when the petitioner resides in the United States and the beneficiary resides in Germany.

What is a German Immigration DNA Test?

A German immigration DNA test is a genetic test used to establish a biological relationship between a petitioner and a beneficiary when insufficient primary evidence is submitted with an immigrant visa application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Families seeking to complete an immigration DNA test in Munich, Germany should be aware that DNA testing should not be initiated unless it has been recommended by a USCIS official or a U.S. consular officer. DNA tests performed independently and not in accordance with U.S. Department of State procedures will not be accepted for immigration purposes.

Additionally, only beneficiaries specifically requested or approved by USCIS or the U.S. embassy may participate in DNA testing. Any individuals not listed or recommended will not have their samples collected by the embassy.

Please note all immigration DNA testing services provided are be conducted by a partner AABB accredited DNA laboratory. The accreditation ensures your results will be accepted by the requesting immigration agency.

How much does immigration DNA Testing cost?

The cost of an DNA test for immigration purposes starts at $795.00. Learn more about DNA testing costs here.

What types of Family Reunification DNA Tests can be performed? 

The commonly suggested tests performed for family reunification cases are:

Paternity Testing	This testing option determines a biological relationship between the alleged father and a child.
Maternity Testing	This testing option determines a biological relationship between the mother and her child.
Sibling DNA Testing	This testing option determines a biological relationship between two siblings.
Grandparent DNA Testing	This testing option determines a biological relationship between a grandparent and grandchild.

What method of DNA Sample collection will take place? 

Cheek swabs is the commonly used method of collection when performing a DNA test. It should be noted blood samples collection is another viable with same accuracy as cheek swabs but, blood is more invasive and painful which is why it is seldom used method

Beneficiary Immigrant Visa Applicant (DNA Sample Collection in Germany)

• Receive an official request for DNA testing
  The petitioner or beneficiary must first receive a document requesting additional evidence from USCIS, a U.S. embassy, or a U.S. consulate before the DNA testing process can begin.
• Contact our office to get started
  Call 800-219-4584 to speak with one of our DNA consultants. Please note that the petitioner’s DNA sample is collected in the United States first, before a request is sent to the U.S. embassy or consulate in Munich, Germany.
• Submit required documentation for review
  Provide a copy of your Request for Evidence (RFE) or embassy letter recommending DNA testing, along with contact details for both the petitioner and the beneficiary.
• Case initiation by the laboratory
  Once your documents are reviewed, the laboratory will initiate the case and begin coordinating DNA sample collection appointments.
• Petitioner DNA sample collection (U.S.)
  After case initiation, the petitioner will be scheduled for a DNA sample collection appointment at an approved facility near their home in the United States.
• Embassy request sent abroad
  The laboratory will then ship the DNA test kit and official sample collection request directly to the U.S. embassy or consulate in Germany.
• Beneficiary appointment scheduled by the embassy
  Once the embassy receives the DNA sample collection request, the embassy is responsible for scheduling the beneficiary’s DNA collection appointment in Germany.
• Beneficiary DNA sample collection (Germany)
  After the beneficiary’s samples are collected, they are securely shipped back to the AABB-accredited laboratory in the United States for testing.
• DNA testing and results submission
  Once all samples are received, the laboratory performs the DNA analysis. Upon completion, the results are sent directly to USCIS or the U.S. embassy or consular section, in accordance with immigration chain-of-custody requirements.

How does the beneficiary schedule their appointment in Germany?

Once the laboratory ships the DNA test kit to the U.S. embassy in Munich, the embassy is responsible for contacting the beneficiary and providing them with their appointment details not the laboratory.

In most cases, the embassy will contact the beneficiary by email with the date, time, location, and required identification for the appointment. It is important you check both your inbox and spam folder regularly to ensure you do not miss any important embassy correspondence.