Can I bring my spouse on a German nursing visa immediately, or do I have to wait?

Under the new German immigration laws (Skilled Immigration Act), if you receive an expedited work visa as a fully recognized registered nurse (Pflegefachkraft), you can bring your spouse and children immediately under family reunification rules, provided you meet the financial and housing requirements.

However, if you are traveling on an 17a/16d visa (to complete your adaptation course or language training), bringing your spouse immediately is much more difficult. Usually, you must first complete your Anerkennung (recognition process), get your full German nursing license (Urkunde), and start your permanent contract before your spouse's visa is approved.