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Family reunification
Verified 01 August 2022 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
A foreigner who has a residence permit in France can be joined by his or her husband and children. This is called the family reunion. The foreigner in France and his or her family joining him or her must meet certain conditions.
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A simulator is used to determine the right to family reunification.
Check if you can benefit from family reunification
General case
The family reunification procedure allows a foreigner to apply to be joined in France by his or her spouse or children.
Regular stay
The foreigner that submitted the grouping request must reside for at least 18 months in France with one of the following titles:
- Residence card of at least 1 year (mention employee, private and family life, student, visitor, etc.)
- Resident Card or card long-term resident-EU (issued by France) 10 years
- Recepted application to renew one of these securities
The foreigner polygamous residing in France with a 1re wife, can't apply for family reunification to bring her 2e wife.
The residence card of the polygamous foreigner may be withdrawn in the following cases:
- He brought over 1 wife to France
- He brought in the children of the wife who does not live with him in France, without proving that she has died or that she no longer has parental authority over her children
Resource Conditions
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General case
The foreigner must provide a stable and sufficient means to ensure that his family is well received.
These resources must reach a certain net amount, which varies according to the size of the family:
Family size | Minimum Monthly Resources |
|---|---|
2 or 3 people | Average of the monthly net minimum wage for growth (Smic), or average €1,329.05of the last 12 months preceding the application |
4 or 5 people | Average €1,442 of the last 12 months preceding the application |
6 or more | Average €1,573.31 of the last 12 months preceding the application |
The applicant's resources may come from income from paid or self-employed work, from wealth management, retirement pensions, etc.
The husband's resources are also taken into account, provided that he has income that will continue to be paid to him when he leaves his country.
The following torque resources are excluded:
HAA or Asi person
Person over 65
There is no resource condition if the applicant meets the following 4 conditions:
- He is over 65
- He has been a regular resident of France for at least 25 years
- He has been married for at least 10 years
- The application for family reunification concerns the spouse
Housing conditions
The applicant must have (or prove that he will have at the date of arrival of his family) accommodation considered normal for a comparable family living in the same geographical area.
The accommodation has to satisfy some sanitary and equipment conditions.
Depending on the geographical area in which the dwelling is situated, it shall have a total habitable area of at least:
- In zones A bis and A: 22 m² for a couple without children or two people. You must add 10 m² per additional person up to 8 people in total and 5 m² per additional person beyond 8 people
- In zones B1 and B2: 24m² for a couple without children or two people. You must add 10 m² per additional person up to 8 people in total and 5 m² per additional person beyond 8 people
- In Area C: 28m² for a couple without children or two people. You must add 10 m² per additional person up to 8 people in total and 5 m² per additional person beyond 8 people
This simulator allows to know the type of area (A, A bis, B1, B2 or C) on which the housing depends.
The family must reside abroad. However, the family already present in France can exceptionally benefit on-site grouping.
The spouse or children may be excluded from family reunification if their presence in France constitutes a threat to public order.
The family reunification procedure shall collectively concern:
- The adult spouse (at least 18 years) of a foreigner resident in France
- Children (under 18 years)
Children can be:
- Originating from the couple, provided that they have a legally established relationship or are adopted by a court order
- From a previous union of the applicant or his spouse:
- if the other parent is deceased or deprived of parental rights
- or if parental authority is exercised by either parent by a decision of a foreign court
A request for partial family reunification may be exceptionally permitted in the interests of children.
Family reunification procedure does not apply to ascending foreigner. They may come to live in France under visitor status if they have sufficient resources.L
The age of the spouse(s) and children is assessed on the date of filing of the application.
Know the list of documents for a family reunification file
The applicant must complete form cerfa n°11436.
Application for family reunification
The applicant must send his/her file (completed form and attachments) by mail (sent in registered form with recommended acknowledgement of receipt) to the territorial management of theOfii: titleContent competent.
Warning
the applicant must attach to his application a copy of the supporting documents corresponding to his situation.
Attachments are as follows.
1- Residence permit
- Photocopy residence permit of the applicant (front/back) which is valid:
- Resident Card
- Resident card marked "long-term resident - EU" issued in France
- Multi-year residence card
- Temporary residence card with a duration of 1 year or more
- 1 year or 10 year residence certificate
- Certificate of application for renewal of residence permit
- If you request family reunification for your spouse who resides in France: residence permit of your spouse
- If you apply for family reunification for your spouse(s) residing in a State separate from his/her country of origin: residence permit issued by the country of residence
2- Registration documents
They must be accompanied by their translation into French, established by certified translator or certified by a French consular or diplomatic authority:
- Full copy of the marriage deed with marginal mentions (with supplementary judgement if mentioned in the act)
- Full copy of your birth certificate with marginal mentions (+ additional judgement if mentioned in the document)
- Full copy of your beneficiary spouse's birth certificate with marginal mentions (+ additional judgement if mentioned in the document)
- Full copy of the birth certificate of each of your children and/or spouse(s) with marginal mentions. This also concerns your children already residing in the accommodation in France (+ additional judgement if mentioned in the act).
If you are a national of a country whose legislation allows polygamy:
- Divorce judgement(s) concerning you and/or your spouse(s) (final or final judgement if divorce abroad)
- Declaration on honour certifying that family reunification will not create a situation of polygamy on French territory
If family reunification is requested for the benefit of one or more children, depending on your situation:
- Divorce judgement(s) concerning you and/or your spouse(s) (final or final judgement if divorce abroad)
- Judgement granting parental authority (unless specified in the divorce judgement)
- Judgement granting custody of children (unless specified in the divorce judgement)
- Letter from the other parent authorising the child to come to France (the signature of which is authenticated in the form provided by the law of the country of residence or by the competent French consulate)
- Adoption judgement
- Kafala Algerian judiciary
- Death certificate of your spouse, your 1er spouse or other parent
- Judicial decision to withdraw parental authority from the other parent
- Declaration of abandonment of the child by the other parent, disappearance or absence of the other parent before the court
- Family booklet
- Certificate from your spouse authorising the beneficiary child's residence at home
- Movement document for minor foreigner (DCEM) and/or school certificate for children in France
3- Letter explaining family reunification
If family reunification is not required for the whole family, you must justify your application with regard to the interest of the child(s).
4- Resource documents (to be submitted for the last 12 months)
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You're salaried
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Contract of employment or certificate of employment of the employer of less than 3 months signed and bearing the stamp of the company (for acting missions, provide only the certificate of employment of the employer)
- Certificate of employment (if more than one employer, produce each employer's certificates)
- Salary slips (for acting assignments, provide only the employer's work certificate)
- If you are an employee of TSB: titleContent : proof of payment of leave paid by the TPP Paid Leave Fund,
- Evidence of payment of daily social security benefits in the event of sickness, maternity leave, parental leave or work accident
You are a merchant
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Excerpt of less than 3 months of registration in the Commercial and business Register (CSR)
- Last balance sheet and profit and loss account of the financial year or income statement drawn up by the tax department
You are a craftsman
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Excerpt of less than 3 months of registration in the business directory
- Last balance sheet and profit and loss account of the financial year or income statement drawn up by the tax department
You are a professional
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Extract of less than 3 months of registration Sirene: titleContent
- Last balance sheet and profit and loss account of the financial year or income statement drawn up by the tax department
You're a self-entrepreneur
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Declaration of creation of your business at the company formalities centre (CFE)
- Revenue book, purchase register and income certificate issued by the tax department
You are a jobseeker
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Status report on entitlements and compensation payments by Pôle emploi
You are retired or disabled
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Decision to award old-age or invalidity pensions established by the paying agency and supplementary pensions
- Notice of payment by the paying agency or certificate of payment (specifying the name of each pension)
You receive the Adult Disability Allowance (HPA) or the Supplementary Disability Allowance (Asi)
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Allocation decision
- Last payment certificate of the paying agency
Other situations
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Bank attestation and statements of account justifying the origin of the income and its periodicity
- Support payments made or collected under a court order
- If you live in a couple: supporting documents of your spouse, partner Civil partnerships: titleContent or concubine
5- Housing certificates
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If you are a tenant
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Lease
- Last rent receipt
If you are a sub-tenant
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Sublease Commitment
- Rationale that this sub-lease is authorised by a lease for you and your family
If you own
- Proof of domicile of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, fixed telephone, water) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Certificate of ownership or notary certificate
If you are staying for free
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Owner's Name Property
- Proof of family connection with the host
- Certificate of domicile issued by the host granting the accommodation to you and your family to come, and specifying the duration of the permitted accommodation
- If the accommodation is provided by the company: certification from the employer, granting accommodation to you and your family to come, and specifying the length of the accommodation allowed
- Proof of identity of the host (copy of the valid residence permit or national identity card)
Other
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Promise to rent a place
- Proof of future acquisition of a dwelling
Checking Folder
TheOfii: titleContent check the folder.
If the file is complete, the applicant shall receive by mail a certificate of deposit specifying the date of filing. The prefect of the home department is informed by Ofii.
If the file is incomplete, it is returned to the applicant by Ofii to complete it.
Application review
The Ofii confides, in a 1to time, the case will be examined by the mayor of the municipality where the applicant lives (or by the mayor of the municipality where the foreigner intends to establish itself).
The mayor checks whether the conditions of resources and housing are met. Specially qualified staff can visit the accommodation to verify that it meets the minimum requirements of comfort and habitability.
Where the applicant does not yet have the accommodation at the time of application, the verification shall be carried out on the basis of the information provided in form cerfa No 11437:
Proof of availability of accommodation in the context of family reunification
The foreigner and the owner or seller of the dwelling must provide the following information:
- Availability date
- Area
- All housing characteristics
If the conditions are met, family reunification may be permitted.
The mayor can also verify, at the request of the prefect, that the foreigner is in compliance with the fundamental principles of family life in France.
The mayor must give his opinion on all these conditions, within 2 months of receiving the file or the request of the prefect. In the absence of a reply within this period, the Mayor's opinion is favourable.
The mayor then forwards the file with his reasoned opinion on the conditions of resources and housing to the relevant Ofii delegation. The latter completes, if necessary, the investigation and sends the file to the prefect for decision.
Prefect's decision
The application for family reunification is accepted or refused by the prefect of the applicant's department of residence in Paris.
His decision must be notified the applicant within 6 months of the submission of the complete file to Ofii. In case of refusal, the decision must be argued.
If the Prefect has not responded within 6 months, the request is refused (implicit refusal).
The foreigner may challenge the decision by administrative appeal before the Prefect and/or the Minister of the Interior.
He may also file a litigation before the competent administrative court.
Visa application
As soon as the family abroad has received the Ofii certificate of deposit and the civil registration documents you have sent, each family member must apply for long-stay visa valid for residence (VLS-TS).
Warning
the family must enter France within 3 months of the issuance of the visas. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the family.
Medical visit
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Morocco-Tunisia
The family is invited to take a medical visit to the Ofii representation in the country.
The medical certificate issued by Ofii at the end of the visit is essential to obtain a residence permit.
Cameroon, Mali, Senegal
The family goes to France for a medical check-up.
The medical certificate issued by Ofii at the end of the visit is essential to obtain a residence permit.
Turkey
The family is invited to take a medical visit to the Ofii representation in the country.
The medical certificate issued by Ofii at the end of the visit is essential to obtain a residence permit.
Armenia
The family goes to France for a medical check-up.
The medical certificate issued by Ofii at the end of the visit is essential to obtain a residence permit.
Other
The family goes to France for a medical check-up.
The medical certificate issued by Ofii at the end of the visit is essential to obtain a residence permit.
Residence permit
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Morocco-Tunisia
Spouse receives long-stay visa valid for residence (VLS-TS). This visa allows him to enter France without having to apply for a residence permit in prefecture 1re year of stay. Minor children enter with a visa family reunion.
Family members may obtain the same residence permit as the applicant for family reunification:
- If the applicant has a temporary residence card valid for 1 year, the spouse and children who have reached the age of 16 (or if they wish to work) must apply for a temporary residence card private and family life (valid for 1 year and renewable). This card must be requested within 2 months of arrival in France for the spouse(s) or before 19th birthday for the child who has become an adult.
- If the applicant has a resident card valid for 10 years, the spouse or children who have reached the age of 16 (or over 16 if they wish to work) must apply for a resident card (valid for 10 years and renewable). This card must be requested within 2 months of arrival in France for the spouse(s) or before 19th birthday for the child who has become an adult.
Other
Spouse receives long-stay visa valid for residence (VLS-TS) to enter and stay in France without having to apply for a residence permit in prefecture 1re year.
After 1 year of stay, the spouse must ask a temporary home and family card (valid for 1 year).
Minor children enter with a visa family reunion. They do not need a residence permit. Once they have reached the age of 16 (or 16 if they wish to work), they must ask a temporary home and family card (valid for 1 year).
Family integration
Spouse(s) and children over 16 who are beneficiaries of family reunification must sign a republican integration contract.
For an Algerian family
The family reunification procedure allows the applicant to be joined in France by his or her spouse or children.
The foreigner making the application must have a residence certificate valid for at least 1 year and have been present in France for at least 1 year.
If he has a residence certificate of 1 year mention"scientific", his family can join him without going through the family reunification procedure if he entered France on a visa.
Regular stay
The family reunification procedure shall collectively concern:
- adult spouse (at least 18 years) of an Algerian resident in France,
- and minor children (under 18 years).
Children can be
- of the couple, provided that they have a legally established relationship or are adopted by a court order,
- or from a previous union of the applicant or his spouse:
- if the other parent is deceased or deprived of parental rights,
- or if parental authority is exercised under a decision of a foreign court.
One child collected by kafala in Algeria may benefit from family reunification in consideration of the best interests of the child.
The age of the spouse or children is reviewed on the date of filing of the application.
A request for partial family reunification may be exceptionally permitted in the interests of children.
Family reunification procedure does not apply to ascending. They may come to live in France under visitor status if they are dependent and have sufficient resources.
The foreigner polygamous residing in France with a 1re wife, can't apply for family reunification to bring her 2e wife.
The residence card of the polygamous foreigner may be withdrawn in the following cases:
- He brought over 1 wife to France
- He brought the children of the wife who does not reside in France with him, without proving that she has died or that she no longer has parental authority over her children
Resource Conditions
The foreigner must justify a stable and sufficient level of Smic: titleContent.
The applicant's resources may come from income from paid or self-employed work, from wealth management, retirement pensions, etc.
The husband's resources are also taken into account, provided that he has income that will continue to be paid to him when he leaves his country.
Family benefits are excluded from the couple's resources (family or housing benefits, family supplement, school entrance allowance, for example).
Housing conditions
The applicant must have (or justify that he will have at the date of arrival of his family in France) a dwelling considered normal for a comparable family living in the same geographical area.
The accommodation has to satisfy some sanitary and equipment conditions.
Depending on the geographical area in which the dwelling is situated, it shall have a total habitable area of at least:
- In zones A bis and A: 22 m² for a couple without children or two people. You must add 10 m² per additional person up to 8 people in total and 5 m² per additional person beyond 8 people
- In zones B1 and B2: 24m² for a couple without children or two people. You must add 10 m² per additional person up to 8 people in total and 5 m² per additional person beyond 8 people
- In Area C: 28m² for a couple without children or two people. You must add 10 m² per additional person up to 8 people in total and 5 m² per additional person beyond 8 people
The family must reside abroad. However, the family already present in France can exceptionally benefit on-site grouping.
The spouse or children may be excluded from family reunification if their presence in France constitutes threat to public order.
The family reunification procedure shall collectively concern:
- The adult spouse (at least 18 years) of a foreigner resident in France
- Children (under 18 years)
Children can be:
- Originating from the couple, provided that they have a legally established relationship or are adopted by a court order
- From a previous union of the applicant or his spouse:
- If the other parent is deceased or deprived of parental rights
- If parental authority is exercised by either parent by a decision of a foreign court
A request for partial family reunification may be exceptionally permitted in the interests of children.
Family reunification procedure does not apply to ascending foreigner. They may come to live in France under visitor status and have sufficient resources.
The age of the spouse or children is reviewed on the date of filing of the application.
Know the list of documents for a family reunification file
The applicant must complete form cerfa n°11436.
Application for family reunification
The applicant must send his/her file (completed form and attachments) by mail (sent in registered form with recommended acknowledgement of receipt) to the territorial management of theOfii: titleContent competent.
Warning
the applicant must attach to his application a copy of the supporting documents corresponding to his situation.
Attachments are as follows.
Residence permit
- Photocopy residence permit of the applicant (front/back) which is valid:
- Resident Card
- Resident card marked "long-term resident - EU" issued in France
- Multi-year residence card
- Temporary residence card with a duration of 1 year or more
- 1 year or 10 year residence certificate
- Certificate of application for renewal of residence permit
- If you request family reunification for your spouse who resides in France: residence permit of your spouse
- If you apply for family reunification for your spouse(s) residing in a State separate from his/her country of origin: residence permit issued by the country of residence
Civil status documents
They must be accompanied by their translation into French, established by certified translator or certified by a French consular or diplomatic authority:
- Full copy of the marriage deed with marginal mentions (with supplementary judgement if mentioned in the act)
- Full copy of your birth certificate with marginal mentions (+ additional judgement if mentioned in the document)
- Full copy of your beneficiary spouse's birth certificate with marginal mentions (+ additional judgement if mentioned in the document)
- Full copy of the birth certificate of each of your children and/or spouse(s) with marginal mentions. This also applies to children already residing in housing in France (+ additional judgement if mentioned in the act)
If you are a national of a country whose legislation allows polygamy:
- Divorce judgement(s) concerning you and/or your spouse(s) (final or final judgement if divorce abroad)
- Declaration on honour certifying that family reunification will not create a situation of polygamy on French territory
If family reunification is requested for the benefit of one or more children, depending on your situation:
- Divorce judgement(s) concerning you and/or your spouse(s) (final or final judgement if divorce abroad)
- Judgement granting parental authority (unless specified in the divorce judgement)
- Judgement granting custody of children (unless specified in the divorce judgement)
- Letter from the other parent authorising the child to come to France (the signature of which is authenticated in the form provided by the law of the country of residence or by the competent French consulate)
- Adoption judgement
- Kafala Algerian judiciary
- Death certificate of your spouse, first spouse or other parent
- Judicial decision to withdraw parental authority from the other parent
- Declaration of abandonment of the child by the other parent, disappearance or absence of the other parent before the court
- Family booklet
- Certificate from your spouse authorising the beneficiary child's residence at home
- Movement document for minor foreigner (DCEM) and/or school certificate for children in France
Letter explaining family reunification
If family reunification is not required for the whole family, you must justify your application with regard to the interest of the child(s).
Resource Entitlements (to be produced for the last 12 months)
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You're salaried
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Contract of employment or certificate of employment of the employer of less than 3 months duly signed and bearing the stamp of the company (for temporary work: provide only the employer's work certificate)
- Work certificate (if multiple employers: produce each certificate)
- Salary slips (for acting missions: provide only the employer's work certificate)
- If you are a TPP employee: proof of payment of leave paid by the TPP Paid Leave Fund,
- Evidence of payment of daily social security benefits in the event of sickness, maternity leave, parental leave or work accident
You are a merchant
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Excerpt of less than 3 months of registration in the Commercial and business Register (CSR)
- Last balance sheet and profit and loss account of the financial year or income statement drawn up by the tax department
You are a craftsman
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Excerpt of less than 3 months of registration in the business directory
- Last balance sheet and profit and loss account of the financial year or income statement drawn up by the tax department
You are a professional
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Extract of less than 3 months of registration Sirene: titleContent
- Last balance sheet and profit and loss account of the financial year or income statement drawn up by the tax department
You're a self-entrepreneur
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Declaration of creation of your business at the company formalities centre (CFE)
- Revenue book, purchase register and income certificate issued by the tax department
You are a jobseeker
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Status report on entitlements and compensation payments by Pôle emploi
You are retired or disabled
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Decision to award old-age or invalidity pensions established by the paying agency and supplementary pensions
- Notice of payment by the paying agency or certificate of payment (specifying the name of each pension)
You receive the Adult Disability Allowance (HPA) or the Supplementary Disability Allowance (Asi)
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Allocation decision
- Last payment certificate of the paying agency
Other situations
- Last tax notice (or non-tax) or, if not, last year's tax return
- Bank attestation and statements of account justifying the origin of the income and its periodicity
- Support payments made or collected under a court order
- If you live in a couple: supporting documents of your spouse, partner Civil partnerships: titleContent or concubine
Housing justifications
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You are a tenant
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Lease
- Last rent receipt
You are a sub-tenant
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Sublease Commitment
- Rationale that this sub-lease is authorised by a lease for you and your family
You own
- Proof of domicile of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, fixed telephone, water) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Certificate of ownership or notary certificate
You are hosted for free
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Owner's Name Property
- Proof of family connection with the host
- Certificate of domicile issued by the host granting the accommodation to you and your family to come, and specifying the duration of the permitted accommodation
- If the accommodation is provided by the company: certificate from the employer granting accommodation to you and your family in the future, and specifying the length of the accommodation allowed
- Proof of identity of the host (copy of the valid residence permit or national identity card)
Other
- Certificate of residence of less than 3 months (last invoice of electricity, gas, water or fixed telephone) or certificate of home insurance (if recent entry into the dwelling)
- Promise to rent a place
- Proof of future acquisition of a dwelling
Application review
TheOfii: titleContent entrusts the investigation of the case to the mayor of the municipality of the applicant's domicile (or the mayor of the municipality where the foreigner intends to establish itself).
The mayor checks whether the conditions of resources and housing are met. Specially qualified staff can visit the accommodation to verify that it meets the minimum requirements of comfort and habitability.
Where the applicant does not yet have the accommodation at the time of application, the verification shall be carried out on the basis of the information provided in form cerfa No 11437:
Proof of availability of accommodation in the context of family reunification
The foreigner and the owner or seller of the dwelling must provide the following information:
- Availability date
- Area
- All housing characteristics
If the conditions are met, family reunification may be permitted.
The mayor can also verify, at the request of the prefect, that the foreigner is in compliance with the fundamental principles of family life in France.
The mayor must give his opinion on all these conditions, within 2 months of receiving the file or the request of the prefect. In the absence of a reply within this period, the Mayor's opinion is favourable.
The mayor then forwards the file with his reasoned opinion on the conditions of resources and housing to the relevant Ofii delegation. The latter completes, if necessary, the investigation and sends the file to the prefect for decision.
Prefect's decision
The application for family reunification is accepted or refused by the prefect of the applicant's department of residence in Paris.
His decision must be notified the applicant within 6 months of the submission of the complete file to Ofii. In case of refusal, the decision must be argued.
If the Prefect has not responded within 6 months, the request is refused (implicit refusal).
The foreigner may challenge the decision by administrative appeal before the Prefect and/or the Minister of the Interior.
He may also file a litigation before the competent administrative court.
Visa application
As soon as the family abroad has received the Ofii certificate of deposit and the civil registration documents you have sent, each family member must apply for long-stay visa at the French consulate in Algeria.
Warning
the family must enter France within 3 months of the issuance of the visas (travel expenses are the responsibility of the family).
Medical visit
The family goes to France for a medical check-up.
The medical certificate issued by Ofii at the end of the visit is essential to obtain a residence permit.
Residence permit
Family members who settle in France are given a residence certificate. It shall be valid for the same period as that of the person they are joining and shall be marked "private and family life".
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: Articles L423-14 to L423-20Issuance and withdrawal of residence permit
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: Articles L434-1 to L434-12Family reunification scheme
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: Articles R434-1 to 434-6Conditions of residence, resources, accommodation of the applicant, age of the beneficiaries of the regrouping
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: items R434-7 to R434-11Application for family reunification
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: annexe 10List of parts to be supplied: item 65
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: items R434-12 to R434-14Request statement: role of Ofii
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: items R434-15 to R434-17Verifying resource conditions
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: items R434-18 to R434-25Checking housing conditions
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: items R434-26 to R434-30Prefect's decision
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: items R434-31 to R434-32Medical visit
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: items R434-33 to R434-35Entry into France
- Code on the entry and residence of foreigners and the right of asylum: R434-36Issuance of residence permit
- Decree No. 2002-120 of 30 January 2002 on the characteristics of decent housingArticles 2 and 3
- Order of 9 November 2011 concerning the filing of applications for family reunification in the services of the French Office for Immigration and Integration (Ofii)
- Order of 1 August 2014 concerning the geographical zoning of communes (known as A/B/C)
- Order No. 45-2658 of 2 November 1945 on the conditions of entry and residence of foreigners in France: article 29 (conditions for family reunification of Algerians)
FAQ
- Zoning A, B, C: instructionsMinistry of Housing
- Family procedure with an AlgerianMinistry of the Interior