France family reunification visa guide

What Is a Family Reunification Visa for France?

A family reunification visa lets certain relatives join a family member who is legally residing in France. The person already in France (called the "sponsor") must have stable housing, income, and legal status. This visa is designed to keep families together while protecting France's immigration and social systems.

Who Can Sponsor a Family Member?

To sponsor someone, you typically need to:

• Be a French citizen or have permanent residency
• Have stable employment or income sources
• Prove you can support your family member financially
• Own or rent adequate housing for the additional person
• Have been living in France for a minimum period (exact timeframe varies)

Sponsors must show they won't burden France's social services and can genuinely care for their relatives.

Which Family Members Can Apply?

Generally eligible relatives include:

• Spouses or registered civil partners
• Unmarried children (usually under a certain age, depending on the country of origin)
• Parents or grandparents (in some cases, if the sponsor can prove dependency)
• Adult dependent children with health conditions or disabilities

Each situation is evaluated individually. Some relationships require proof of legal marriage certificates or partnership documents.

Key Steps in the Process

1. Sponsor preparation — Gather proof of income, housing, and legal status

2. Application submission — Your relative applies through the French consulate in their home country

3. Documentation review — Officials verify all family relationships and sponsor capacity

4. Interview — Your relative may attend an in-person interview at the consulate

5. Decision — The consulate notifies you of approval or denial

6. Visa issuance — Once approved, your relative receives the visa and can travel to France

Important Requirements

You'll need original documents including birth certificates, marriage licenses, bank statements, employment letters, and rental agreements. All non-French documents must be officially translated into French. The process can take several months, so plan ahead.

Your relative must also meet health and security requirements, including medical exams and background checks.

Next Steps

Visit the official French government immigration website (France-Visas) to download the complete application checklist for your specific situation. Contact your nearest French consulate for exact documents needed in your country. Processing times and specific rules vary by location.

This is general self-help information, not legal advice. Always verify current rules on the official government website.