Can a foreigner without a residence permit bring his family to France?
Verified 08 March 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
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You are a non-European foreigner
No, you can't bring your family.
You are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
If you are a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, so you are not required to hold a residence permit, but you can bring your family if you meet certain conditions:
- If you live in France as a worker, inactive or student, you can be reached by:
- Your spouse
- Your children under the age of 21 or dependent
- Children under the age of 21 or dependent on your spouse
- Your dependent relatives in the ascending line (father or mother who cannot justify resources needed for his own needs)
- Dependent relatives in the ascending line (father or mother who cannot justify the resources necessary for his own needs) of your spouse
- You must belong to one of the following categories and be able to justify it: employee, inactive, student
- Your family must enter the country with a visa (or without a visa if it is exempt) and request a residence permit to the prefecture of your department
Right to residence and work during the first 5 years
Right of permanent residence after 5 years of residence
Conditions for family reunification
Conditions for family reunification for a refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection
Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Dila) - Prime Minister
French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)