Bringing family to France (faire venir sa famille en France)

The rules for bringing your family to France depend on whether you are a non-European foreign national or a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland. If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you must have a right to live in France; your non-European family members must apply for a residence card within 3 months of entering France.

Steps

You are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

1. Check whether your family needs a visa using the online Visa Assistant.
2. Your family must enter France legally, with or without a visa.
3. If your family members are European citizens, they may apply for the “Membre de la famille d'un citoyen de l'Union/EEE/Suisse - Toutes activités professionelles” residence card within 3 months of entering France.
4. If your family members are non-European, they must apply for the “Membre de la famille d’un européen” residence card within 3 months of entering France.

Key facts

• If you are a non-European foreign national, you cannot bring your family to France without a residence permit (titre de séjour) allowing you to live there legally.
• If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you must have a right to live in France as a worker, an economically inactive person or a student to bring your family.
• If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen studying in France, you cannot bring your parents or other direct ancestors to France.