Where do I apply for family reunification and how long does it take?

The application is filed with OFII, ideally through its online portal, or by registered mail. OFII checks that your file is complete and issues a receipt, then the mayor verifies your income and housing within about two months, and the prefect makes the final decision.

The maximum processing time is six months from a complete submission. Importantly, silence from the prefect for six months counts as a refusal, not an approval. Submitting both online and by mail at the same time, or sending an incomplete file, will slow things down, so choose one channel and make sure every document is included.