Family reunification 2026: conditions, file and procedure
Published on June 16, 2026 · 9 min read
Do you live in France with a residence permit and wish to bring over your spouse and children who stayed in your home country? That is the role of family reunification. The procedure allows you to bring your family together legally, but it is demanding: minimum length of residence, stable resources, housing meeting standards. Many applications fail over a detail. Here are the conditions to meet in 2026, the OFII procedure step by step, the documents to provide and the most common grounds for refusal.
1. Who can apply for family reunification?
The applicant must be a non-European foreign national who resides legally in France. To file an application, you must:
- Reside legally in France for at least 18 months (general case)
- Hold a residence permit with a validity of at least 1 year
A special rule applies to Algerian nationals, governed by the Franco-Algerian agreement: the required length of residence is 12 months. If you are concerned, carefully check the regime applicable to your nationality before putting together your file.
2. The resources requirement
You must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources to welcome your family in good conditions. The administration assesses your income over the last 12 months, and the expected amount is close to the SMIC (minimum wage), adjusted according to the size of your family.
The resources taken into account can come from various sources: salaries, self-employment income, income from assets, certain pensions. On the other hand, several social benefits (such as the RSA or certain allowances) are not counted in the calculation.
3. The housing requirement
You must have (or prove that you will have by the date your family arrives) housing considered normal for a comparable family living in the same region. The housing must meet conditions of cleanliness, comfort and equipment.
A minimum surface area is required, which depends on the geographic area and the number of people. As an indication, for a couple or two people, the threshold is around 22 m² in the most strained areas and 24 m² in other areas, with an additional surface area per extra person. The town hall generally carries out a check of the housing.
4. The OFII procedure step by step
The application is managed by the OFII (Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration, the French Office for Immigration and Integration). The process unfolds as follows:
- File submission with the OFII (online or by form), with the supporting documents
- Processing by the town hall: the mayor of your municipality checks on site the housing and resource conditions
- Examination by the OFII, which ensures that housing and resources allow the family to be welcomed in good conditions
- Decision by the prefecture: it is the prefect of your département (the police prefect in Paris) who accepts or refuses the application
- In the event of approval, your family begins the visa procedures with the French consulate, then the medical check and arrival in France
5. The documents in the file
The precise list depends on your situation, but a family reunification file most often comprises:
| Category | Examples of documents |
|---|---|
| Identity / residence | Residence permit, passport, application form (Cerfa) |
| Civil status | Marriage certificate, children's birth certificates (translated and legalised as required) |
| Resources | Payslips, employment contract, tax assessment |
| Housing | Lease or title deed, proof of surface area, latest rent receipt |
Foreign civil status documents (marriage, births) are the leading source of blockages: non-compliant translations, missing legalisation or apostille, name inconsistencies. Secure them as a priority.
6. Timelines and grounds for refusal
The decision must in principle be notified to you within 6 months of the submission of the complete file. The absence of a response within this period amounts to an implicit refusal. Any refusal decision must be reasoned.
The most common grounds for refusal are:
- Insufficient resources or unstable over the last 12 months
- Housing too small, unsanitary or not available by the planned arrival date
- Incomplete file or non-compliant civil status documents
- Presence in France of a family member concerned (reunification targets people who stayed abroad)
- Public order grounds
In the event of a refusal, appeals are possible within strict deadlines (informal appeal, hierarchical appeal or court appeal). To fully understand your options, see our guide on residence permit refusal and appeals.
Frequently asked questions
How long must you reside in France before applying for family reunification?
Generally 18 months of legal residence (general case), with a residence permit valid for at least 1 year. For Algerian nationals, the period is 12 months.
What income is needed for family reunification?
You must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources over 12 months, with a reference amount close to the SMIC, adjusted according to the size of the family. Certain social benefits are not taken into account.
What happens if the prefecture does not respond?
The absence of a response within the 6-month period amounts to an implicit refusal. You can then file an appeal within the prescribed deadlines.
Reunite your family without a misstep
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