Family Reunification in France
One documented route of this kind in France, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Family reunification (Regroupement familial)
Government fees from 1 May 2026: long-stay visa (reduced rate) €100 + first-issue residence permit (reduced rate) €150 (€100 tax + €50 stamp) = €250 initial total. Permit renewal is a separate future charge (€100 reduced rate). The €100 visa line is confirmed correct; the displayed total of €350 erroneously includes a future renewal fee as an upfront cost.
- Processing time
- Prefect decision within 6 months maximum of complete submission
- Validity
- Family member receives a residence permit aligned with the sponsor's situation, renewable
- Language requirement
- French language and integration requirements apply for residence-permit renewal and for naturalization.
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for long-term resident status after generally 5 years of legal residence
- Citizenship
- Naturalization generally after 5 years of habitual residence
Requirements
- Sponsor lawfully resident in France for at least 18 months with a valid qualifying residence permit
- Income at or above the family-size threshold (€1,867.02 for 2–3 persons; €2,053.72 for 4–5; €2,240.42 for 6+)
- Adequate housing meeting minimum living-area and sanitary standards
- Certified French translations of all foreign documents
Required Documents
- Sponsor's residence-permit copies required
- Full birth/marriage certificates (with marginal mentions) required
- Tax notices (last 12 months) required
- Income/employment proof required
- Housing proof (lease/deed/landlord certificate) required
- Children's documents required
- Certified French translation of all foreign documents required
Official fees
- Long-stay visa (reduced rate, from 1 May 2026) 100 EUR
- Residence-permit first issue (reduced) 150 EUR
- Residence-permit renewal (reduced) 100 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Submit file to OFII
Submit the complete file online on the OFII portal (or by registered post with acknowledgment).
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2
Completeness certificate
Receive a deposit/completeness certificate.
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3
Mayor verification
The mayor verifies resources and housing (~2 months).
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4
Prefect decision
The prefect decides within 6 months max of complete submission; no reply within 6 months = implicit refusal.
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5
Family applies for visa
On approval, the family member applies abroad for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS).
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6
Entry and validation
Family must enter France within 3 months of visa issuance; medical exam on arrival; spouse validates VLS-TS online within 3 months.