Last verified: October 2026 — Sources: Service-Public.fr, OFII
Family reunification (regroupement familial) allows a non-EU national living legally in France to bring their spouse and minor children to join them. This guide covers eligibility, income and housing requirements, the step-by-step OFII procedure, typical timelines and fees as of 2026.
Who can apply?
Family reunification is exclusively for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals residing legally in France. EU citizens do not need this procedure: their family members benefit from freedom of movement.
Eligible family members
- Spouse: aged 18 or over, legally married to the applicant (unmarried partners and PACS partners are not eligible).
- Minor children: under 18 at the date of application, with legally established parentage.
- Children from a previous relationship: only if the other parent has died, has been stripped of parental authority, or a court has granted sole custody to the applicant.
Not eligible: parents, grandparents or other relatives. A second spouse is excluded if the applicant already lives with a spouse in France (polygamy is prohibited).
Requirements
1. Minimum period of legal residence
The applicant must have resided legally in France for at least 18 months with a valid residence permit (one-year temporary card, multi-year card, resident card or renewal receipt). For Algerian nationals, the minimum is 1 year with a residence certificate.
2. Minimum income
Average income over the 12 months preceding the application must meet the following thresholds (excluding social benefits such as RSA, ASPA, ASS and family allowances):
| Family size | Minimum gross monthly income |
|---|---|
| 2–3 people | €1,867.02 (≈ gross minimum wage) |
| 4–5 people | €2,053.72 |
| 6 or more people | €2,240.42 |
Exceptions: no income requirement applies if the applicant receives the AAH (disability allowance) or ASI. The same exemption applies to applicants over 65 with 25 years of legal residence and 10 years of marriage who are requesting only their spouse.
3. Adequate housing
The accommodation must meet health and habitability standards, and provide a minimum living area according to the geographic zone:
| Zone | Couple (2 people) | Extra person (up to 8) | Extra person (beyond 8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A bis & A (Paris and large cities) | 22 m² | +10 m² | +5 m² |
| B1 & B2 (medium-sized cities) | 24 m² | +10 m² | +5 m² |
| C (rest of France) | 28 m² | +10 m² | +5 m² |
The mayor may arrange a housing inspection as part of the procedure.
Step-by-step procedure
Step 1: Prepare your file
- Cerfa application form for family reunification.
- Copy of residence permit (front and back).
- Civil-status documents: marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates (with marginal notes and sworn translation if issued in a foreign language).
- Proof of income for the past 12 months (tax notice, payslips, bank statements).
- Proof of housing (lease, title deed).
- If applying for partial reunification: explanatory letter.
Step 2: Submit the application to OFII
Send the complete file to OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) online or by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt. OFII checks that the file is complete and issues a filing certificate.
Step 3: Processing
- OFII forwards the file to the mayor of the applicant’s municipality, who has 2 months to give an opinion. Silence counts as a favourable opinion.
- The file then goes to the OFII regional office and the prefect, who has 6 months from receipt of the complete file to make a decision. Silence after 6 months counts as an implicit refusal.
Step 4: Visa and arrival
- Once the prefect authorises the reunification, the French consulate in the country of origin issues a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS).
- The family must enter France within 3 months of the visa being issued.
- Each family member must validate their visa online within 3 months of arrival.
- A mandatory medical examination is arranged by OFII.
Typical timelines
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Mayor’s opinion | 2 months (silence = favourable) |
| Prefect’s decision | 6 months (silence = refusal) |
| Consular visa | Variable (1–3 months depending on the consulate) |
| Estimated total | 8–12 months on average |
Fees
- Residence permit at the prefecture for family members: €150 (standard case).
- Regularisation visa (if the VLS-TS was not obtained before entry): €300 (of which €100 is non-refundable).
- Algerian nationals: first residence certificate is free of charge.
Common reasons for refusal
- Insufficient income or inclusion of excluded social benefits.
- Housing not meeting standards (floor area or habitability).
- Legal residence shorter than 18 months.
- Incomplete file or untranslated documents.
- Polygamy.
- Family member not meeting eligibility criteria.
If refused, you can lodge an administrative appeal with the prefect and/or the Minister of the Interior, or a judicial appeal before the administrative tribunal.
EU vs non-EU comparison
| Aspect | EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Non-EU nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Family reunification | Not required: freedom of movement | Mandatory OFII procedure |
| Eligible members | Spouse, registered partner, children, dependent relatives | Spouse and minor children only |
| Minimum income | Not required | Yes (varies by family size) |
| Housing | Not inspected | Inspection possible |
| Prior residence | Not required | 18 months minimum |
Related guides
- Titre de séjour in France
- Schooling for foreign children in France
- Health insurance in France
- Your first 30 days in France
Official sources
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Conditions may change. Please consult official sources or a legal professional for your specific situation.