French Republic · family · Leads to settlement
Family Reunification (Regroupement Familial)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence permit for spouses and children of non-EU residents legally settled in France for at least 18 months.
- Processing time
- 6–12 months from OFII application to visa issuance.
- Government fees
- OFII procedure fee €269; visa fee €99; residence permit tax €225.
- Typical duration
- 1 year; renewable. Leads to 10-year carte de résident after 5 years.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 11 July 2026, the Family Reunification (Regroupement Familial) for French Republic is an unsponsored France immigration route. Sources: official French Republic government pages, reviewed 11 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/france/family-reunification-france#answer
What is the Family Reunification (Regroupement Familial) in French Republic?
Family Reunification (Regroupement Familial) is an unsponsored France route. Indicative government fees are OFII procedure fee €269; visa fee €99; residence permit tax €225; indicative processing time is 6–12 months from OFII application to visa issuance; typical duration is 1 year; renewable. Leads to 10-year carte de résident after 5 years. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against DGEF / OFII on 18 April 2026.
Overview
Family reunification (regroupement familial) allows non-EU residents who have been legally settled in France for at least 18 months to bring their spouse and minor children. The sponsor must meet income and accommodation requirements. The procedure is managed by OFII. Spouses receive a carte de séjour "vie privée et familiale" with automatic work rights.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Sponsor has been legally resident in France for at least 18 months.DILA / DGEF-OFII (French government) ↗
- ✓Sponsor's income meets the minimum threshold (at least SMIC for a family of 2–3; higher for larger families).DILA / DGEF-OFII (French government) ↗
- ✓Adequate accommodation meeting French habitability standards.République française / Légifrance (CESEDA) ↗
Common blockers
- !Sponsor's income below SMIC.DILA / DGEF-OFII (French government) ↗
- !Accommodation fails the OFII habitability inspection.République française / Légifrance (CESEDA) ↗
- !Sponsor has not been legally resident for 18 months.DILA / DGEF-OFII (French government) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Sponsor's residence permit and employment/income evidence.DILA / DGEF-OFII (French government) ↗
- ·Marriage certificate with apostille and sworn translation.
- ·Accommodation lease or ownership documents meeting size requirements.DILA / DGEF-OFII (French government) ↗
Application pathway
Sponsor applies to OFII
File the regroupement familial application with OFII from France.
OFII accommodation inspection
OFII inspects the sponsor's accommodation for habitability.
Préfecture decision
The préfecture approves or refuses within 6 months.
Family applies for visa at consulate
On approval, family members apply for long-stay visas at the French consulate.
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.
- Official guidanceSponsorPrepare family reunification request ↗
Resident sponsor follows the official OFII family reunification procedure before relatives request visas.
Service-Public.fr / OFII · verified
- ApplyApplicantStart the France-Visas application ↗
Family member completes the long-stay visa application after the reunification approval is issued.
France-Visas · verified
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Frequently asked questions
How long does family reunification take in France?+
6–12 months from OFII application to visa issuance. The préfecture has 6 months to decide. Consular visa processing adds 2–4 weeks. Some préfectures are significantly slower — Paris and Lyon are known for delays.
Can my spouse work in France on a family reunification visa?+
Yes. Spouses receive a "vie privée et familiale" carte de séjour with automatic, unrestricted work rights. No separate work permit is needed.
How long must I live in France before I can bring my spouse and children?+
The sponsor must have been legally resident in France for at least 18 months before applying for family reunification (regroupement familial). Not meeting the 18-month requirement is a common reason applications are refused.
Will my home be inspected before my family can join me in France?+
Yes. As part of the regroupement familial procedure, OFII inspects the sponsor's accommodation for habitability, and accommodation that fails this inspection is a common reason for refusal. The home must meet French habitability and size standards.
Can family reunification eventually lead to permanent residence in France?+
Yes. The family reunification permit is issued for one year and is renewable, and it leads to a 10-year carte de résident after 5 years of residence.
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