The residence permit for family reunification is issued after the celebration of the marriage.
For who
The fiancé(e) who celebrated their marriage in Geneva with a short term residence permit or a marriage certificate or a D visa for marriage must submit an application for a residence permit.
When
After the marriage celebration.
Attachments
If the procedure was conducted from abroad:
- copy of the marriage certificate
- arrival announcement form (personal data)
If the procedure was conducted from Switzerland:
- copy of the marriage certificate
- form M (application for family reunification) duly completed
Important information about the date of arrival in Switzerland
In order to determine the date of arrival in Switzerland which is mentioned on the residence permit, the administration relies on:
- the effective date of arrival in Switzerland for persons who have carried out the procedure from abroad (date announced on the arrival announcement form provided to the OCPM)
- the date on which the application for residence permit for marriage was submitted if the fiancé was already present in Switzerland.
The date of the marriage cannot be used as the date of entry into Switzerland.
Anyone residing in Switzerland must be insured with a health insurer authorized to practice compulsory health insurance, within three months of taking up residence in Switzerland.
This obligation is independent of whether or not the residence permit has been issued. The insurance obligation therefore begins on the date of taking up residence and not on the date of issue of the residence permit. See: Affiliation obligatoire à une caisse d'assurance-maladie | ge.ch
Submit your application
You must send your application by postal mail.
Last updated: 13 July 2026