The “child of a French national” long-stay visa allows a foreign child to join their French parent and prepare for a long-term stay in France.
JJP Visas Consulting supports you through these sensitive procedures, where proof of filiation, parental authority and the overall family situation plays a key role.
Who can apply for a long-stay visa as a child of a French national?
This visa can apply to several family situations:
- A minor foreign child of a French national who wishes to live in France with their French parent
- Minor children of the foreign spouse of a French national
- A foreign child of a French national aged between 18 and 21, provided they are still financially dependent and wish to join their parent in France
In all cases, the goal is to ensure effective and lasting family reunification in France.
Key conditions to be reviewed
French authorities carefully assess the reality of the family relationship. The application must clearly and consistently demonstrate filiation and parental authority. The main supporting documents generally include:
- A birth certificate establishing filiation with the French parent, with a certified translation and, depending on the country, legalisation or an apostille
- A document relating to parental authority (court decision, marriage certificate, parental authorisation, death certificate if applicable)
- Authorisation from the other parent when required, allowing the child to travel to France, together with a copy of their ID
- Proof of the French parent’s nationality (national identity card, passport or certificate of French nationality)
These documents must be consistent, clear and legally valid. Otherwise, the authorities may request additional documents or refuse the visa.
JJP Visas Consulting helps structure your application, anticipate consular requirements and secure the evidence of your family situation.
What the “child of a French national” visa allows ?
Once granted, this long-stay visa allows:
- Legal entry into France to join the French parent
- Long-term settlement within a stable family environment
- The possibility, depending on the situation, to apply for a “private and family life” residence permit
- The right to stay in France and, for dependent adults, to prepare their integration
This visa is often the first step in a long-term family reunification process.
Our support in 3 steps
To assist you, we offer a structured process in three key steps.
Step 1: full analysis of the family situation
We begin with an in-depth analysis of your situation to determine the most suitable strategy. We:
- Review the family structure and custody arrangements
- Check elements relating to parental authority
- Analyse the child’s current place of residence and the consistency of the relocation plan
- Identify any potential risks of delays or additional document requests
This step helps secure the strategy before preparing the application.
Step 2: preparing and submitting the visa application
We then assist you with the full preparation of your application:
- Review of civil status documents (translations, apostilles, compliance)
- Preparation of the complete visa application file
- Submission through the France-Visas platform
- Organisation of the appointment at the consulate or visa centre
- Assistance with any additional requests from the authorities
- Drafting an appeal in case of visa refusal, if necessary
The fee for visa application assistance is €600 (excluding consular and service provider fees).
Step 3: assistance after arrival in France
Once the visa has been issued and the child has arrived in France, further administrative steps may be required. We assist with:
- Visa registration when required
- Application for a DCEM (travel document for foreign minors) for minor children
- Application for a “private and family life” residence permit for dependent adults
- Responding to additional requests from the prefecture throughout the process
The fee for assistance in France is €1,000.
Full support: visa and residence procedures
For comprehensive handling of your case, we offer a full package including:
- Preparation and submission of the visa application
- Registration procedures upon arrival
- Assistance with the appropriate residence permit application
The total fee for this service is €1,500.
Payment and refund terms
Payment is made in two stages:
- €600 at the opening of the case
- €1,000 after the visa is granted for procedures in France
For the full package:
- €600 at the start
- €900 after visa issuance
Partial refunds may apply in case of visa refusal or ineligibility, in accordance with the terms and conditions and after deduction of administrative costs.