Applying for a residence permit for my family (family reunification)

2. I am a national of an EU/EFTA Member State

For whom

As an EU/EFTA national with a residence permit in Switzerland, you can claim a right to family reunification for:

  • your spouse
  • your child(ren) under the age of 21 or dependent children, and those of your spouse
  • your parents, your in-laws and your grandparent, dependant
If you are a student, the right to family reunification is limited to your spouse and dependent child(ren).

When

The application for family reunification may be filed at any time except for the descendants who are not dependent and for whom the application must be filed before their 21st birthday.

What

Members of your family (with the exception of relatives in ascending line) who benefit from family reunification have the right to work or establish themselves as self-employed throughout Switzerland, regardless of their nationality.

Children have access to general education, apprenticeship or vocational training on the same conditions as Swiss children.

Terms

You must have adequate accommodation for the whole family.

The poverty o children over the age of 21 or those in the ascending line must be proven before coming to Switzerland.

You must have a personal e-démarches account to be able to file your application online.

Entry to Switzerland

For conditions of entry to Switzerland, please refer to the information provided by the State Secretariat for Migration: Entry to Switzlerland

Attachments

  • 1 M form per person (including children) if the request is sent by postal mail
  • colour copy of a valid I.D. for each person invloved
  • copy of the lease or written attestation of the landlord established according to the AL form (with the copy of the main lease and the I.D. of the landlord and the sub-tenant)

Depending on the situation, the following documents must also be attached:

  • copy of the marriage certificate (with official translation if necessary)
  • copy of the birth certificate of each of the children concerned (with official translation if necessary)
  • evidence of parental authority (if family reunification concerns only children) or Form EM
  • supporting documents for the financial resources

Price

For online applications, payment is made online as well.

For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Help to fill in the online form

See our fact sheet: Practical help to announce your arrival in Geneva online or to apply for a residence permit with or without activity at the OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for family reunification

Your application can be done either online or by postal mail.

Last updated
15 April 2025

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