To join a family member living in France, eligible relatives (typically a spouse or partner and children under the age of 18) must go through the official family reunification process. This includes applying for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) and a residence permit.
Applying for a French Family Visa
If you want to join a family member living in France, you’ll need a long-stay “visitor” visa (VLS-TS) and a residence permit. Here’s how the process works:
- Your family member in France applies for family reunification through the French immigration office (OFII).
- Once approved, you can apply for a VLS-TS (long-stay visitor) at a French embassy or consulate in your country. You will have to fill out an application form and schedule an appointment with the relevant visa submission center.
- You arrive in France and apply for a residence permit “private and family life” (or you have your visa validated online, depending on how long you plan on staying).
The process can vary depending on your specific situation, so it’s often helpful to consult with immigration professionals who are familiar with French visa procedures. They can help ensure that your application is complete and aligned with current requirements. You can schedule a free consultation with Lexidy and determine the best course of action for your needs.
Categories of Family Reunification in France
Joining a Foreign Family Member in France
If your spouse or partner has lived legally in France for at least 18 months, they can bring you to live with them. They have to apply for family reunification through the OFII (French immigration office) in their local area. To be approved, your spouse or partner must:
- Show they have enough income to support you.
- Have a home that’s big enough for the family.
After the application is approved by the OFII, you have to apply for a long-stay visa (valid for 3 months) at a French consulate or embassy. After you arrive in France, you will have to apply for a residence permit at the local police station.
Accompanying a Family Member to France
Holders of the following categories of visas and residence permits are eligible to bring their family members with them as soon as they move to France:
- Talent Passport Categories:
- New businesses, startups, and company directors;
- Highly skilled employees, employees transferred between companies on a French contract, qualified young graduates, and employees of a startup
- Intra-Company Transfer:
- Salarié détaché ICT
- Salarié détaché mobile ICT
This is a simplified procedure for family reunification where all family members can apply at the same time. In contrast, families of other visa holders have to apply for a visa separately after 18 months.
Family Members of French Nationals
If you’re a non-EU family member of a French citizen, you must apply for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) from the French consulate in your home country. You can apply online. The visa is processed quickly (usually within 4 weeks) under an accelerated procedure.
- If approved, you’ll receive a 12-month VLS-TS visa marked “Vie privée, vie familiale” (private and family life).
- No visa fees are required for family members of French citizens.
If you’re married, the marriage must be officially recorded in the French Civil Registry to be recognized in France.
After arrival in France, you must validate your visa online. This visa allows you to work freely, either as an employee or self-employed. However, to work in regulated jobs (e.g., doctor, lawyer), you need special qualifications and approval from the relevant authority.
Requirements for the France Family Visa
The documents you’ll need to submit for a France family visa are:
- Long-stay visa application form, completed and signed.
- A valid passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after the visa expiry date.
- Proof of family relationship (copy of birth certificate or copy of the marriage certificate).
- Three recent standardized passport photos;
- Identity card (ID) or multi-year residence permit card (of your family member in France) issued by the French authorities.
- Any additional documents, as listed on the visa wizard platform or by the French embassy.
The exact documents will differ depending on your specific case, as well as the country in which you live. Consulting with immigration professionals can help point you in the right direction and give you a feel for what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies as a family member under the reunification visa?
Generally, spouses and dependent children under the age of 18 are eligible. In some cases, other dependents may be considered, but this is less common and requires strong justification.
What if my documents aren’t in French?
Documents submitted should be in English or French. Sometimes, they may have to be accompanied by a French translation by a sworn translator certified to provide translations for the French courts of appeal. The embassy will let you know if there’s any documents which need this translation.
Can I bring my children too?
Yes, you can bring your dependent children who are under the age of 18.
How long does the visa process take?
It may take from 15 to 60 days after your interview to receive an answer to your visa application.
Can I work with this visa?
Whether you can work in France on a family visa depends on your specific visa type:
- Family members of French citizens: You are eligible to work in France once you have your residence permit (Carte de Séjour), such as the 10-year residency card granted to spouses after three years of marriage.
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals’ family members: With a residence permit (Carte de Séjour), you can work without restrictions.
- Family members of non-EU/EEA nationals: Employment rights depend on your residence permit type. Some family visas, such as those tied to a “Talent Passport” holder, allow immediate work authorization.
Do I need to speak French to qualify?
Language proficiency is not a requirement for the family visa, but knowing French is beneficial for integration and daily life in France.
Can I study in France on this visa?
Yes. You can enroll in educational programs while holding this visa, though you may need to meet additional criteria depending on the institution.
What happens if the OFII rejects the family reunification request?
If the request for family reunification is refused, you can appeal the decision within one month at the Appeals Commission for Visa Entry Refusals to France (Commission de recours contre les décisions de refus de visa d’entrée en France).
Common reasons why your request may be refused are:
- You or your family don’t meet the reunification requirements (e.g., 18 months of residency in France)
- You can’t prove your family relationship
- Your family’s arrival is considered a threat to public safety
- You don’t follow core French family values (e.g., polygamy is not allowed, one of the spouses is under the age of 18, etc)