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
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.
- ✓Sponsor's income meets the minimum threshold (at least SMIC for a family of 2–3; higher for larger families).
- ✓Adequate accommodation meeting French habitability standards.
Common blockers
- !Sponsor's income below SMIC.
- !Accommodation fails the OFII habitability inspection.
- !Sponsor has not been legally resident for 18 months.
Typical evidence
- ·Sponsor's residence permit and employment/income evidence.
- ·Marriage certificate with apostille and sworn translation.
- ·Accommodation lease or ownership documents meeting size requirements.
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.
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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