Republic of Cameroon · family · Leads to settlement
Family Resident Card
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Family-facing resident-card route for spouses and expatriate family members, using DGSN's resident-card evidence and lower family fee category.
- Processing time
- DGSN resident-card process after online pre-enrolment and evidence review.
- Government fees
- DGSN lists 75,000 FCFA for expatriate families in Cameroon, religious people, non-working spouses and dependent children aged over 12 and under 18; some listed family members of exempt categories are exempt.
- Typical duration
- Resident cards are valid for ten years where granted.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
DGSN's resident-card section includes evidence for the spouse of a foreign national: a certified copy of the marriage certificate dated less than three months, a certified valid passport copy dated less than three months and bearing a long-stay visa, a domicile certificate, a special criminal-record extract and a valid tax-compliance certificate. The same resident-card fee section lists expatriate families in Cameroon, religious people, non-working spouses and dependent children aged over 12 and under 18 at 75,000 FCFA. The page also notes exemptions for non-working spouses and dependent children of certain exempt categories.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The family member fits a DGSN family or spouse resident-card category.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- ✓For a spouse of a foreign national, a certified marriage certificate dated less than three months is available.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- ✓The passport copy is certified, dated less than three months and bears a long-stay visa where DGSN requires it.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- ✓Domicile, special criminal-record and tax-compliance evidence are available unless an exemption category applies.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
Common blockers
- !The marriage certificate or passport certification is older than the DGSN evidence window.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- !The family member lacks the long-stay visa where DGSN lists it for the spouse route.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- !The applicant assumes the lower family fee applies without confirming the exact DGSN category.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Certified marriage certificate dated less than three months for spouse cases.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- ·Certified valid passport copy dated less than three months, bearing a long-stay visa where required.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- ·Domicile certificate.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- ·Special criminal-record extract.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
- ·Valid tax-compliance certificate unless an applicable exemption is confirmed.Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the applicant fits the spouse, expatriate family or dependent-child resident-card category.
Build the evidence pack
Prepare marriage, passport, domicile, criminal-record and tax documents within DGSN timing rules.
Submit through the official channel
Use DGSN pre-enrolment and enrolment to file the resident-card request.
After approval
Check whether the 75,000 FCFA family fee or an exemption applies before payment.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ChecklistApplicantRead DGSN family resident-card requirements ↗
Use this official Cameroon source to confirm the current requirements, filing channel and evidence for read dgsn family resident-card requirements.
Delegation Generale a la Surete Nationale (DGSN), Cameroon · verified
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Related routes
Carte de Resident
Cameroon's ten-year resident card for foreign nationals admitted as residents, including people moving from a twice-renewed stay card.
Long-Stay eVisa
Cameroon online long-stay entry visa, valid up to twelve months and normally used before applying for residence documentation where the stay continues in Cameroon.
Carte de Sejour
Cameroon's stay card for foreign nationals regularly admitted to stay in Cameroon, valid for two years and renewable twice.
Frequently asked questions
What does DGSN list for a spouse resident-card file?+
DGSN lists a recent certified marriage certificate, certified passport copy bearing a long-stay visa, domicile certificate, special criminal-record extract and valid tax-compliance certificate.
What family fee does DGSN publish?+
DGSN lists 75,000 FCFA for expatriate families, religious people, non-working spouses and dependent children aged over 12 and under 18.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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