Family Reunification in France: Complete Guide to Procedures

Family reunification is a procedure allowing a foreigner legally residing in France to bring their spouse and minor children. This procedure is governed by strict conditions of resources, housing, and duration of stay.

This guide explains how to succeed in your family reunification application.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What is Family Reunification?

Family reunification is the right recognized to a foreigner in a regular situation in France to bring:

Their spouse (legally married)
Their minor children (under 18)
The minor children of their spouse

⚠️ Important: family reunification does not concern parents, siblings, or PACS partners (except exception).

✅ Conditions to Meet

To file a family reunification application, the applicant (the "sponsor") must meet several criteria:

1. Length of Stay in France

Reside in France for at least 18 months regularly and uninterruptedly
Hold a residence permit valid for at least 1 year

2. Sufficient Financial Resources

Resources must be stable and regular, equivalent to:

Monthly net SMIC (approximately €1,398) for a family of 2 to 3 people
SMIC + 1/5 of SMIC for each additional person

Example:

To bring spouse + 1 child (3 people): approximately €1,398/month
To bring spouse + 2 children (4 people): approximately €1,678/month

3. Decent Housing

The housing must meet area and health criteria:

Minimum area:
- 22 m² for a couple
- 32 m² for a couple with one child
- 10 m² per additional person beyond 2 people
Housing conforming to hygiene and safety standards
Proof: rental lease, property title, or accommodation certificate

4. Respect for Republican Principles

The applicant and their family must adhere to the values of the French Republic (liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism).

5. Regular Family Situation

Legally recognized marriage
Established filiation link for children

📋 Required Documents

Documents of the Applicant (the Sponsor)

Valid residence permit
Valid passport
Proof of resources for the last 12 months:
- Pay slips
- Tax assessment
- Employment contract (permanent contract preferred)
Proof of housing:
- Lease or property title
- Last rent receipt or property tax
- Declaration of honor if housing not occupied
Recent ID photos

Documents of Family to Be Brought

Valid passports
Civil status documents:
- Marriage certificate (with certified translation)
- Children's birth certificates (with certified translation)
Medical certificates issued by OFII of country of residence
Recent ID photos

🏛️ Application Procedure

Step 1: File Submission to OFII

The application must be submitted to the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) of your department:

CERFA form no. 11436
Available on www.ofii.fr or at prefecture
Submission by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt or via online platform

Step 2: Acknowledgment of Receipt

Within 15 days, you receive an acknowledgment of receipt confirming the submission of your file.

Step 3: File Review

OFII verifies:

File completeness
Compliance with resource and housing conditions

If the file is incomplete, you will be informed of missing documents to provide.

Step 4: Housing Visit

An OFII agent may conduct an on-site visit to verify housing compliance.

Step 5: Prefecture Opinion

OFII transmits the file to the prefecture, which issues a favorable or unfavorable opinion.

Step 6: Decision Notification

You receive the decision:

Favorable: the family can apply for a long-stay visa at the French consulate in the country of origin
Unfavorable: possibility of appeal

⏳ Processing Times

Processing times vary by prefecture:

Acknowledgment of receipt: 15 days
Complete review: 6 to 12 months on average
Silence from administration after 6 months = implicit refusal decision (except exceptions)

⚠️ Plan a total time of 12 to 18 months between file submission and actual arrival of family in France.

💶 Cost of Family Reunification

Application submission to OFII: free
Tax to pay if approved: €220
Long-stay visa for each family member: approximately €99 per person
Translation fees for documents: variable by country

Estimated total: between €400 and €800 depending on family size.

🇫🇷 Family Rights Once in France

Once arrived in France, the family benefits from:

For the Spouse

"Private and family life" residence permit of 1 year (renewable)
Right to work without additional authorization
Access to healthcare (social security)
Possibility to follow language training

For Children

Mandatory schooling from 3 to 16 years
Access to healthcare
No residence permit before 18 (except special cases)

❌ Refusal and Appeals

Common Refusal Reasons

Insufficient resources
Inadequate housing (area, health)
Incomplete or falsified documents
Non-respect of republican values

Possible Appeals

Administrative appeal: ask the prefecture to re-examine the file with additional documents
Contentious appeal: refer to the administrative court within 2 months

🔄 Alternatives to Family Reunification

In certain cases, there are other ways to bring family:

1. Visa for French Spouse

If you are French or in the process of naturalization, your spouse can apply for a long-stay visa private and family life without going through the family reunification procedure.

2. Refugee Family Reunification

Persons who have obtained refugee status benefit from an accelerated procedure with reduced conditions.

3. Visa for Studies or Work

If the spouse or child can justify university enrollment or a job offer, they can obtain an autonomous visa.

🤝 VisaPref Assists You

The family reunification procedure is long and complex. An error can lead to refusal and additional delays.

At VisaPref, we help you to:

Assess your eligibility
Compile a complete and compliant file
Write motivation letters and certificates
Anticipate blocking points
Follow your file with OFII and prefecture

👉 Contact us for personalized assistance.

❓ FAQ – Family Reunification

1. Can I bring my parents to France?

No, family reunification only concerns spouse and minor children. Parents may possibly obtain a visitor visa or private and family life visa under conditions.

2. Can my spouse work immediately?

Yes, upon obtaining their "private and family life" residence permit, they can work without additional authorization.

3. What happens in case of separation after family reunification?

The spouse can request an autonomous renewal of their residence permit if they justify personal and professional life in France.

4. How long does it take to receive a response?

On average 6 to 12 months, but it can take up to 18 months depending on prefectures.

5. Can I bring my family if I am a student?

The family reunification procedure is rarely accessible to students due to resource requirements. A "companion" visa application may be an alternative.