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Family reunification with a B permit: the conditions explained

Conditions, deadlines and costs of family reunification for a B permit holder in Geneva.

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Family reunification with a B permit: the conditions explained

Table of contents

Who can bring their family?
The conditions to be met for a third-country B permit
The deadlines to observe
The file to be submitted in Geneva
The costs to budget for
After arrival: relatives' formalities
Five checks before filing the application
FAQ

Who can bring their family?

First and foremost, one distinction changes everything: the applicable regime depends on your nationality. EU/EFTA nationals fall under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP, known in French as ALCP). Third-country nationals fall under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA, known in French as LEI) and its ordinance (OASA). The conditions and deadlines are not the same. We deal with the two regimes separately.

If you come from the EU/EFTA with a B permit, Annex I of the AFMP (art. 3) allows you to bring your spouse, your children under 21, as well as older children and ascendants whom you support financially. The spouse and children may be of any nationality. There is no filing deadline comparable to that applying to third countries.

If you come from a third country with a B permit, art. 44 LEI opens family reunification to your spouse and your unmarried children under 18. This is a possibility, not a right: the authority has a margin of discretion. Children aged 18 to 21 are not covered by this article, except in particular situations examined on a case-by-case basis.

Under art. 44 LEI, the holder of a B permit from a third country may bring their spouse and unmarried children under 18, provided that the housing and financial resources requirements are met (source: SEM, 2026).

Practical effect for your household: a 19-year-old child from a third country does not automatically follow their parents. Check everyone's age before planning the move.

Criterion	EU/EFTA (AFMP)	Third countries (LEI)
Legal basis	Annex I AFMP, art. 3	Art. 44 LEI (deadlines: art. 47 LEI)
Nature of the right	Right to family reunification	Mere possibility, with margin of discretion for the authority
Spouse	Accepted (any nationality)	Accepted
Children	Under 21, as well as older dependent children	Unmarried, under 18
Ascendants	Yes, if supported financially	No
Conditions	Suitable housing and sufficient financial means (art. 24 Annex I AFMP)	Shared household, appropriate housing, sufficient resources, no annual supplementary benefits, language integration
Filing deadline	No comparable filing deadline	5 years; 12 months for children over 12 (art. 47 LEI)

Legal basis

EU/EFTA (AFMP)Annex I AFMP, art. 3

Third countries (LEI)Art. 44 LEI (deadlines: art. 47 LEI)

Nature of the right

EU/EFTA (AFMP)Right to family reunification

Third countries (LEI)Mere possibility, with margin of discretion for the authority

Spouse

EU/EFTA (AFMP)Accepted (any nationality)

Third countries (LEI)Accepted

Children

EU/EFTA (AFMP)Under 21, as well as older dependent children

Third countries (LEI)Unmarried, under 18

Ascendants

EU/EFTA (AFMP)Yes, if supported financially

Third countries (LEI)No

Conditions

EU/EFTA (AFMP)Suitable housing and sufficient financial means (art. 24 Annex I AFMP)

Third countries (LEI)Shared household, appropriate housing, sufficient resources, no annual supplementary benefits, language integration

Filing deadline

EU/EFTA (AFMP)No comparable filing deadline

Third countries (LEI)5 years; 12 months for children over 12 (art. 47 LEI)

An EU/EFTA spouse joins their household without a deadline or strict age cap, whereas a third-country spouse must satisfy the requirements of art. 44 LEI

Key takeaway

Under the AFMP, family reunification is a right with no filing deadline; under the LEI, it depends on cumulative conditions and strict time limits (5 years, 12 months from age 12).

Source: Annex I AFMP art. 3 and art. 24; art. 44 and 47 LEI — fedlex.admin.ch

The conditions to be met for a third-country B permit

This section concerns third-country nationals only. For the EU/EFTA, the requirements are lighter: suitable housing and sufficient financial means so as not to depend on social assistance (art. 24 Annex I AFMP).

For a third country, art. 44 LEI sets out three cumulative conditions.

A shared household: the family must live together, at the same address.
Appropriate housing: it must suit the size of the family, according to Swiss standards. A studio for four people will hardly be accepted.
Sufficient financial resources: the household must not depend on social assistance.

Art. 44 LEI adds a fourth requirement: the family must not receive annual supplementary benefits, or be entitled to them only because of the relatives' arrival. The authorities also examine the applicant's integration (art. 44 para. 1 let. d and e LEI: ability to communicate in the national language spoken at the place of residence, or enrolment of the spouse in a language promotion programme).

On resources, the OCPM relies on the standards of the Swiss Conference for Social Welfare (CSIAS). The threshold depends on the composition of the household and changes over time. We therefore do not give a fixed amount: confirm it with the OCPM before filing.

In Geneva, housing is often the sticking point. Rents are high and floor areas are limited. To understand your rights as a tenant, consult ASLOCA or the cantonal file on housing policy.

Practical effect: a lease in the applicant's name alone, with a floor area suited to the number of people, avoids many requests for additional documents.

The deadlines to observe

Here again, the two regimes diverge.

For a third-country B permit, art. 47 LEI sets strict deadlines. The application must be filed within 5 years of the grant of the permit or of the establishment of the family relationship. For children over 12, the deadline is only 12 months. After that, reunification is only possible for major family reasons (art. 47 para. 4 LEI).

The 12-month deadline for those over 12 is the rule most often missed. Put it in your diary as soon as you obtain the B permit.

For the EU/EFTA, no filing deadline of this kind applies: the AFMP does not impose these time limits.

Under art. 47 LEI, family reunification for a B permit holder from a third country must be requested within 5 years, reduced to 12 months for children over 12 (source: fedlex.admin.ch).

Let us take a running example: Elena, a third-country national, obtains her B permit in Geneva on 1 March 2026. Her husband and their 10-year-old daughter are still living abroad. For the daughter (under 12), the deadline runs until 1 March 2031. If she were 13, the deadline would be 1 March 2027. Elena notes both dates and aims to file in May 2026.

Practical effect: a child approaching their 12th birthday changes the timetable. Plan ahead rather than waiting for the household to be perfectly settled.

The file to be submitted in Geneva

The application is filed with the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM). For a third country, the SEM sometimes has to give its approval, which lengthens processing.

Here are the documents generally requested. The exact list should be confirmed with the OCPM.

Family reunification application form
Passports or identity documents of all family members
Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates
Proof of housing: lease and floor area certificate
Proof of resources: employment contract, recent payslips, extract from the Debt Enforcement Office
Passport photos

Foreign documents often have to be translated into a national language and legalised or apostilled, depending on the country of issue. Allow several weeks for this step. Start it early.

Processing takes 3 to 6 months on average. It may be longer if the file is incomplete or if the SEM becomes involved.

According to the Geneva OCPM, processing a family reunification application generally takes 3 to 6 months, which means filing the file before the family moves (source: ge.ch/OCPM, 2026).

In our running example, Elena files her complete file on 15 May 2026. She waits between 3 and 6 months: the decision comes between August and November 2026. Her family plans to arrive in December. The daughter's school enrolment follows straight after.

Key point: file before the move, not after. Entering Switzerland without authorisation and waiting on site complicates the procedure and may jeopardise it.

To place this permit better within the overall picture of your applications, see our guide on work permits in Switzerland, deadlines and procedures.

Step	Timing	Detail
1. Obtaining the B permit	1 March 2026	Starting point of the art. 47 LEI deadlines: 5 years for a child under 12, 12 months for a child over 12. The deadlines should be entered in the diary from this date. (B permit holder (Elena))
2. Compiling the file	Until May 2026	Translations, legalisations or apostilles of foreign documents (several weeks), lease and floor area certificate, proof of resources (employment contract, payslips, extract from the Debt Enforcement Office), identity documents, marriage and birth certificates, passport photos. (Applicant)
3. Filing the application with the OCPM	15 May 2026	Filing of the complete file with the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration in Geneva. (OCPM Geneva)
4. Examination of the file	During the investigation	Checking of the conditions of art. 44 LEI (shared household, appropriate housing, sufficient resources). For a third country, SEM approval may be required, which lengthens processing. An incomplete file also extends the timeframes. (OCPM / SEM)
5. Decision	3 to 6 months after filing (August to November 2026)	Decision on the family reunification application. Filing deadlines (art. 47 LEI): 1 March 2027 if the child is over 12, 1 March 2031 if the child is under 12. (OCPM Geneva)

1. Obtaining the B permit

Timing1 March 2026

DetailStarting point of the art. 47 LEI deadlines: 5 years for a child under 12, 12 months for a child over 12. The deadlines should be entered in the diary from this date. (B permit holder (Elena))

2. Compiling the file

TimingUntil May 2026

DetailTranslations, legalisations or apostilles of foreign documents (several weeks), lease and floor area certificate, proof of resources (employment contract, payslips, extract from the Debt Enforcement Office), identity documents, marriage and birth certificates, passport photos. (Applicant)

3. Filing the application with the OCPM

Timing15 May 2026

DetailFiling of the complete file with the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration in Geneva. (OCPM Geneva)

4. Examination of the file

TimingDuring the investigation

DetailChecking of the conditions of art. 44 LEI (shared household, appropriate housing, sufficient resources). For a third country, SEM approval may be required, which lengthens processing. An incomplete file also extends the timeframes. (OCPM / SEM)

5. Decision

Timing3 to 6 months after filing (August to November 2026)

DetailDecision on the family reunification application. Filing deadlines (art. 47 LEI): 1 March 2027 if the child is over 12, 1 March 2031 if the child is under 12. (OCPM Geneva)

From application to reunification: 3 to 6 months of waiting, to be started as soon as the B permit is obtained

Key takeaway

For Elena, from the B permit to the decision, allow 5 to 8 months: file from May 2026 and keep in mind the deadline dates of 2027 or 2031 depending on the child's age.

Source: Art. 44 and 47 LEI — fedlex.admin.ch; OCPM Geneva (ge.ch/OCPM), 2026

The costs to budget for

Amounts change over time. The figures below are indicative and should be checked with the OCPM before any step is taken (last checked: November 2026).

Fees: the canton charges for the grant of a residence permit per person. Allow, in general, a few tens of francs up to around a hundred francs per permit, depending on the cantonal tariff in force. Ask the OCPM for the current scale. In addition there are the costs of translation, legalisation and obtaining civil status documents, which vary greatly depending on the country of origin.

Health insurance: the LAMal (Federal Health Insurance Act) is compulsory for each family member, children included, within 3 months of arrival. It is charged per person. In Geneva, premiums are among the highest in the country. Children's premiums are markedly cheaper than adults', but the family budget must factor them in from the first month. Depending on income, a cantonal subsidy may reduce the bill: enquire with the Health Insurance Service (Service de l'assurance-maladie).

Household insurance: not compulsory, but very widespread, and often requested by letting agencies. It covers water damage and theft, and generally includes private liability. Allow around CHF 150 to 300 per year for a household, depending on cover.

Practical effect: draw up a complete arrival budget before filing. Health insurance premiums also weigh in the assessment of resources.

After arrival: relatives' formalities

Once the authorisation has been granted and the family has arrived, several formalities follow in sequence.

Notification to the OCPM: each family member must register and collect their residence permit within the set deadlines. Do not let this drag on: an undeclared stay causes problems.

Geneva public school: enrolment is possible all year round, but an arrival during the school year often places the child in a reception class while they strengthen their French. This eases gradual integration. Contact the school in your catchment area as soon as the OCPM's positive decision is received, even before the move.

Childcare facilities: for younger children or for extended hours, early-childhood care facilities and after-school care require registration. Places are limited, sometimes with waiting lists. Enquire without delay with your municipality.

The spouse: the reunification B permit in principle authorises gainful employment, but check the arrangements with the OCPM according to your situation. French courses greatly help integration, and may also be a condition imposed on the spouse (art. 44 LEI).

In our running example, Elena's daughter arrives in December. She starts in January in a reception class. Her mother enrolled her in November, before the arrival.

If your plans go further, our article on obtaining a permanent residence permit details the next stages of the journey.

Five checks before filing the application

Before sending the file, go through this list. It avoids refusals that could have been prevented.

Housing: the lease is up to date, the floor area matches the number of people, the household will be shared.
Income: your resources cover the household's needs without social assistance or supplementary benefits. Confirm the threshold with the OCPM.
Timetable: identify the 5-year deadline and the 12-month deadline for children over 12, if you fall under a third country regime.
Documents: civil status documents, translations and legalisations are ready. These steps take several weeks.
Insurance: LAMal for each relative, and household insurance if possible.

Finally, a rule of honesty: nobody can guarantee the outcome of an application. The authority assesses each case. What you control is the quality of the file and compliance with deadlines. For particular cases, contact the OCPM or the SEM before filing.

"This article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice; the conditions for family reunification vary according to personal circumstances, the canton and legislative changes, and we recommend that you check your case with the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (Office cantonal de la population et des migrations, OCPM) or a lawyer."

FAQ

In Geneva, processing generally takes 3 to 6 months from the filing of a complete file. This period may lengthen if documents are missing or if the SEM has to approve the application. File before the move.

Prepare family reunification with peace of mind

We help you structure your file, identify your deadlines and organise your relatives' arrival in Geneva. Let us discuss your situation.

Lucas

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