Researchers with family

Researchers with family

Visa and residence permit

If you have the status of “talent-researcher ” or “scientist-researcher ” (for Algerian nationals), you can bring your family to France thanks to a simplified procedure, known as “famille accompagnante”. (accompanying family).

If your family lives abroad

You have the “talent-researcher” status: your family members must apply for a long-stay “talent-family passport” visa at the consulate of their place of residence.
You have the “scientist-researcher” status (Algerian national): your family members must apply for a long-stay “private and family life” visa at the consulate of their place of residence.

If your family is already in France

You have the “talent-researcher” status: your spouse and your adult children are issued a multi-annual “talent-family” residence permit without going through the family reunification procedure. The procedures are to be carried out at the Prefecture.

You have a “scientist-researcher” status (Algerian national): your spouse and adult children are issued a “private and family life” residence certificate without having to go through the family reunification procedure. The procedures are to be carried out at the Préfecture.

It should be noted that in France, minor children are exempt from the residence permit requirement until they reach the age of majority. They can be issued a document de circulation pour étrangers mineurs (DCEM). (Document for the movement of underage foreigners)

Childcare and schooling

Childcare for toddlers

If your child is under 3 years old, there are several childcare facilities: municipal kindergartens, collective multi-host centres, family childcare services, and others. These services are either organised directly by the city, or be proposed by associations or private structures. To find out more about these services, please contact the UNICAEN Euraxess
Service Centre.

Your children’s schooling

In France, school is compulsory from the age of 3 until the age of 16. The educational system is based on to the age of the child, with the following levels:

  • Pre-school (3-6 years)
  • Primary schools (6-11 years)
  • The “college”, (equiv. middle school) 4 levels after primary school
  • The “lycée”, (equiv. high school) which welcomes students who pursue general, technological or vocational studies after the “college”.

To find out more about the French education system, please visit the France Education International website.
The enrolment procedure will depend on the age of your child, and therefore on the level in which he or she is to be enrolled. To find out how to proceed, contact the UNICAEN Euraxess Service Centre.

Family allowances – Allocations familiales

The Caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF) is an organisation whose mission is to help families by means of family allowances and a policy of social action. To be eligible for family allowances, you must:

  • reside legally in France,
  • have at least two dependent children under 20 years of age and/or a child under 3 years of age.

To find out more about the family allowances you can get, use the online simulation tool. You can also consult the Researchers with a family page on the Euraxess France website.