Marrying a Cameroonian: bringing her children to France
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
GE
hi everyone, I’m new to this site. Here’s my issue: I just got married in Cameroon to my wife, and I’m waiting for our family record book. After that, I’m trying to figure out what I need to do to apply for her visa. But I’d like her to apply for visas for her children at the same time so they can come with her—is that possible?! Do we need to get passports for her children, or is just the visa application enough? They’re 8 and 15 years old. Thanks!

Otherwise, I’d have to apply for family reunification, but she’d have to stay in France for 18 months before she can apply for her children’s visas—that’s way too long!!!

If anyone can give me some advice or help with this complicated situation, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks so much for your help. Best regards,
FI Fife12 Regular ·
Good evening! You can go to the website to apply for the visa, but here are the documents you’ll need: A copy of your wife’s national ID card Photocopies of the passport pages Proof of French residence A handwritten letter stating that the French spouse is hosting their wife and children, which must be signed at your local town hall French marriage certificate Copy of the family record book And the long-stay visa application Oh, and you’ll need the passports of the children too. You should still check for any additional details. Have a good evening!
pour être heureuse il faut beaucoup de patience
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
Hi Fife12,

Thank you so much for your reply. You mentioned writing a handwritten letter signed by the mayor of my town, clearly specifying the hosting of my wife and her children for the long-stay visa application. Do I need to make one for each person—her plus the two children—or just a single long-stay visa for everyone? I hope this won’t take too long, especially with the kids—it could really hold things up. It’s already been so complicated: over 2 years to get the CCAM to get married, then once we had it, we had to do the transcription, and now an email saying there’s a spelling mistake in her first name. They’re really nitpicking, but we’re finally nearing the end of this ordeal!!!! For the long-stay visa, do we apply at the embassy or at the OFII? What exactly happens next once the transcription is done? Thanks for your kindness. Jean-Luc
LE Leslie65034 ·
Good evening Jean Luc. I hope you're doing well. First, do you depend on Douala or Yaoundé? For the children, each child must have their own passport, and make sure the birth certificates are properly done. A very important question: did the children's father acknowledge them on their birth certificates? Do they bear their father's name? This is very important. The mother should apply for the visa at the same time as the children (long-stay visa, of course). Waiting 18 months is really too long for a mother far from her children.
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
good evening Leslie65034, thanks for your comment. Yes, their documents are identified; they’re from Yaoundé. They weren’t recognized because one was adopted by their mother, and the older one—the father never acknowledged her since he passed away before the birth, so they both carry their mother’s name. I already knew about the 18-month wait for the kids—that’s France for you!! But I was wondering if there’s another, faster way to get around this law that penalizes the mom. I’d heard that if they had their passports, we could register them at the same time as their mother, and there might be a chance they could leave with her. That’s just what people say on some forums. Thanks for your help. Best, Jean-Luc
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
Hi jluc, why two years for the CCAM? And you said that after submitting the transcription, the consulate told you there was an error in your wife’s first name? If so, has she started reissuing her birth certificate? Those little issues with documents are just delays—anyway, I know the Douala consulate often gives the CCAM to some people without verifying the authenticity of birth certificates, but the Yaoundé one is better about that.

As for the children, the least complicated procedure is to go first and then apply for family reunification after 18 months in France, but it’s not easy to leave them behind, especially if you don’t have someone you trust to look after them. Hang in there!
Cordialement !!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi ChrisKamer I’m replying to you about the CCAM. There were two birth certificates, a mistake by the town hall, so we had to hire a lawyer and redo the document. It took 3 months, and we had to pay the price. During that time, the embassy sent me a letter saying my file had been sent to the public prosecutor’s office in Nantes.

I wrote several times to the Nantes prosecutor with proof of delivery, and they just sent me a letter saying they’d received it and were waiting for a response from their end. That dragged on for months, all because the embassy wouldn’t answer my emails (I was told not to insist too much or they’d block me and stop responding). One day, I sent them an email saying the Nantes prosecutor wasn’t replying to me, and only then did they tell me to resend my complete file with a letter from the lawyer, the original document, and the corrected and up-to-date birth certificate. That day, when they emailed me saying I’d receive the publication of the banns via diplomatic pouch, I let out a huge sigh of relief. A month later, I got my CCAM issued. We got married in Yaoundé—just pure happiness, a huge wedding. Then, when I did the transcription at the French embassy in Yaoundé, everything went well, and 15 days later, I got an email saying there was a spelling mistake. I thought, "No way!" The secretary had put a "T" instead of a "D" in her first name. Now they’re correcting it, and I have to make another appointment at the embassy. What a battle just to get married!

That was my ordeal, but with patience and a lot of love, we made it.

For her children, I knew we had to wait 18 months, but I thought there might be other ways to bring them sooner. Oh well, we’ll wait—no choice.

Thanks to you, Best regards, Jean-Luc
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
I truly hope the embassy won’t take long to correct this because of the error on the marriage certificate. They should at least see how much you’ve already gone through with the CCAM. So much courage to you—love is stronger than everything, you’ll make it! If your wife has or leaves the children, okay, but there’s another procedure: recognizing the children or adoption if the kids already have the father’s name on the certificate. Courage, courage—love will prevail!
Cordialement !!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
Thanks so much, it's going okay—we're almost at the end of our process. For the kids, there's no father's name since the father passed away before they were born, but we'll figure out solutions for them. Have a great day!
LE Leslie65034 ·
Hi! Of course you can. I thought your wife was already in France. But if she's still in Cameroon, when she applies for her visa, she should do it with her children directly using the children's passports, of course.
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi Leslie65034,

thanks for your reply, but the kids don’t have their passports yet—it takes too long in Cameroon, we were told 1 to 2 months, so by then!! my wife will already be in France, and it’ll be too late for the kids to come with her. But you never know, for now she’s still down there, we haven’t received the transcription yet, we’re waiting. Otherwise, I was thinking of applying for the visas at the same time as my wife to see if that’s possible. If it works, the kids will also have to go through LOFII, I think!!!! thanks to you jean luc
LE Leslie65034 ·
Good evening Jean-Luc. I’ve also finished my procedure since September and started the passport process for my two daughters—which is separate from my husband’s, of course. On January 4, 2018, and I’m still waiting for their passports—no news yet. Once I get the passports, I’ll apply for visas at the same time as my daughters’. I’ll send you a private message.
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
It’s better if your wife handles the children’s passports since she’s still in the country—it’ll be one less thing to worry about. The passport is valid for 5 years.
Cordialement !!
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
Yeah, it's tough right now with their passport cardboard shortage issue, but since the country doesn't sleep on corruption, with 150,000 FCFA in three days you can get your passport. Hope this situation gets resolved quickly.
Cordialement !!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
good evening ChrisKamer

yeah, as you said, I had someone who could do it in three days, but right now it’s stuck—nothing’s getting done in 3 days anymore. Now you have to go through the embassy by the book, but the problem is it’s taking forever and dragging on. thanks again to you jean luc
FI Fife12 Regular ·
Hello and happy Sunday to everyone! Wooooow 150k is for one person eeeeeehhhh aaaaahhhhhh this country is too much onong
pour être heureuse il faut beaucoup de patience
FI Fifiabi ·
Hi, Since January until now, you haven’t always had your kids’ passports? Regarding Jean-Luc, I’d advise you to ask your wife to apply for the visa at the same time as the kids, and before that, you should already think about getting the kids’ passports—there are already the forms.
FI Fifiabi ·
good evening Jean Luc I’d recommend you get your wife’s children’s passports done via express processing—it’s possible at the consulate in 10 days, and she’ll have her kids’ passports. I’m also a mother of children, so I know it’s not easy being far from them. She should apply for her visa at the same time as the kids. But first, you need to send her a handwritten letter stating that you’re requesting visas for your wife and her children. Then you sign it yourself and get it stamped at your local town hall. see you later
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
Hello Fifiabi

Thanks to you for your reply. I’m in the process of getting their passports, but it’s complicated to get an appointment to legalize their birth certificates at the town hall. It’s been a week, there are too many people every time, and the mayor is absent—it’s complicated, but I hope it’ll work out. Thanks again, and have a great day! Jean-Luc
FI Fifiabi ·
Hello Fifiabi

Thanks for your reply. I’m in the process of getting their passports, but it’s complicated to get an appointment to have their birth certificates legalized at the town hall. It’s been a week, there are always too many people, and the mayor is often absent. It’s tough, but I hope it’ll work out. Thanks again, and have a great day. Jean Luc

Hi Jean Luc,

It’s very simple—she can change town halls. She can have the children’s birth certificates legalized anywhere for passport applications.
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
certified copy of the birth certificate? Is the town hall even often present in Cameroon? It's the town hall deputies who handle everything. You get documents certified at town halls or sub-prefectures. So she can do it anywhere unless it's specifically required to certify at the birth town hall
Cordialement !!
FI Fifiabi ·
a certified copy of the birth certificate? Is the town hall even often open? In Cameroon, it's the mayor's deputies who handle everything. You get documents certified at town halls or sub-prefectures. So she can do it anywhere unless it's specifically required to certify at the birth town hall

She can get it certified at any town hall—it doesn’t have to be the one from her birthplace
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi Fifiabi,

thanks Fifiabi, it's done—now we just have to wait and keep our fingers crossed lol best regards
FI Fife12 Regular ·
Hi Jean-Luc, how’s everything going for you? Hang in there, it’ll work out. Any news on your paperwork?
pour être heureuse il faut beaucoup de patience
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi Fife12,

Yes, some news—the embassy sent me an email saying my transcription and family record book were sent on April 6th. Now I’m just waiting for my town hall to call me to give me all that. So far, so good. The hardest part now is getting the visa for her and her kids. I hope things go smoothly over there because as soon as they have their passports, I hope they can come with their mom.

One question if you don’t mind: how much do we pay for the visa and the OFII? It’s expensive—I saw on some forums that people mention over 350 € for the OFII. I don’t really understand, do the kids pay that much too? If you could let me know, that’d be great. Thanks a lot! Jean-Luc
FI Fifiabi ·
Hello Your wife’s visa application is free, but her children have to pay the visa fees—65,000 FCFA per child, which is about 100 €. It’s worth a try; you never know, she might get lucky and be able to bring her kids with her. That’s what happened in my case.
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
Thanks for your quick reply! You mentioned that the kids have to pay for the visa—okay. You said it’s free for her, but we still have to pay the OFII fee, the medical visit, and the same for the kids too. Is this a long-stay visa or a short one?!!!! Thanks again for your help—it’s really kind of you. You’re in the same situation if I understand correctly. I hope the town hall gets back to me quickly about my family record book. Jean-Luc
FI Fifiabi ·
Your wife is exempt from the long-stay visa (loffi) even for the kids—no need for loffi for them. She’ll apply for the long-stay visa. Yeah, I’m in the same boat—I already got my transcription done.
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
thanks so much! I’ll let you know how it goes once I receive my transcript from the town hall and the visa (if everything goes well). Have a great day! Best regards, Jean-Luc
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
I have a question to ask you—sorry about the flight ticket. I saw that a one-way costs a fortune, like 3000 € per person, while a round-trip is only around 500 € from France to Yaoundé. Can you explain this to me? I’m really struggling to understand why it’s so expensive!! Thanks again, Jean-Luc
FI Fifiabi ·
Generally, a one-way ticket is often more expensive than a round-trip ticket. But I’d say wait until you have the visas before buying the tickets
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
Message received on April 6th, it takes 10 days to wait... The booklet will be available on April 17th. Like fifiabi said, the visa is free, the OFII visa is free... She’ll pay for the yellow fever vaccine herself—it’s 5,000 and the yellow booklet is 900 FCFA (for the kids too). For the ticket, it’s better to book a round-trip—I did it for myself.
Cordialement !!
FI Fifiabi ·
Hello; That’s exactly it!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi ChrisKamer,

thanks for your reply too. I’m still waiting for my answer—it’s been 10 days for the visa. They didn’t ask me to book the flight ticket, or maybe I misread it. Is it really free, just paying for the vaccines? I’m happy because I was told so many things—like having to pay the OFII 350 € per person plus the visa—and I didn’t know where to get reliable info. Thanks again for your help! Have a great day, Jean-Luc
FI Fifiabi ·
Hi there! For your wife’s visa application, you can make a non-paid flight ticket reservation. Then, after the visa is approved, you can take your time to look for the actual tickets.
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi Fifiabi, thanks for the visa tip—you have to apply at the embassy
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
In France, stamps at the OFII cost 250 € for a French spouse. http://www.ofii.fr/taxes-a-regler-pour-l-obtention-du-visa-vlsts

For the visa, the flight ticket isn't mandatory in the documents to provide. The visa is issued after visiting the OFII in Yaoundé (the day after your visit, you call to ask when to come pick up the visa). What can delay the visa is the day you visit the OFII, but you can expect one to two weeks to get the French spouse visa.
Cordialement !!
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
Go to the website of the French consulate in your wife’s city to get the documents for a long-stay visa. For the letter, yes, it has to be written at the embassy, and since she’s coming with her kids, mention in the accommodation attestation letter that you’ll be hosting them, etc. Signed by you (mandatory) and by the town hall (optional). You can scan in color: the marriage certificate copy, the family record book page with your names, the handwritten letter, your ID, proof of address (a bill), and your wife can print them in color so you avoid wasting money on postage and time. Wait for the kids’ passports before booking each of your visa appointment slots (phone code to pay at the post office, which costs 5,000 per person). That’s it, good luck and all the best...
Cordialement !!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi ChrisKamer,

you told me 250 € at the OFII, but now they're saying it's free. Then it's 250 € again—I don't really get it for the letter. Yeah, I did it, I just have to wait for the appointment with the mayor who’s summoning me for my booklet, which still isn’t here after 12 days. That’s getting on my nerves a bit. For the OFII, they process it in YAOUNDE in that city, so it should be okay, I think. But I don’t get why the 250 € for the OFII—if you could explain, one minute it’s free, the next it’s paid, lol. Thanks, Jean-Luc
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
I did write in France for the one from Ydé—it’s free there. Then there’s the follow-up with OFII in France to get the sticker in the passport, a residence permit, basically the validity of your visa. Here’s the link with the stamp fees depending on the type of permit: http://www.ofii.fr/taxes-a-regler-pour-l-obtention-du-visa-vlsts. For your family record book, you can call or go in person because some town halls take their time too.
Cordialement !!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
Ah, I understand better now. The OFII in Yaoundé is free, but once in France, you have to validate her visa so she can move around. Basically, I need to book an appointment at the OFII once they're in France. I get it now—thanks for your explanations! Good thing there are people to help. Thanks again! Waiting for a visa is so long!!!!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
A quick question—sorry—do children also have to pay this fee once in France at the OFII? I don’t know if you can help me: if the children come with their mother, do I have the right to ask for their adoption and French nationality? I know she’s been here for 3 years, but I’m not sure about the kids. And does it take a long time? Thanks, Jean-Luc
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
The amount to be paid will depend on what's written on the visa—I sent you a link in the previous messages. The important thing right now is that the consulate allows your wife to leave with her kids. Once you're in France, you'll see what to do regarding adoption (if the father still exists) or recognition...
Cordialement !!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
Thanks so much!
CH ChrisKamer Regular ·
You're welcome! 🙂
Cordialement !!
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
Good evening ChrisKamer For the children, one doesn’t have a father—his passed away before she was born—and the other girl was adopted by the family. That’s it. Thanks again to you all. Best regards
FI Fifiabi ·
Hello

Is there a death certificate for the father? Does the orphaned child's birth certificate list the name of the deceased father?
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hiFifiabi,

no, no father’s name except the grandmother’s family name there you go, thanks—I hope that won’t cause any issues, we’ll see best, Jean-Luc
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi everyone,

just wanted to let you know that as of today I still haven’t received my family record book even though it was sent on April 6th. The mayor came to see me saying that another town hall received my family record book by mistake. The embassy made a mistake with the town that has the same name. Now it’s May 15th, and I’m hoping to get all these papers soon so we can finally live happily. Just one question: should the long-stay visa application be made at the embassy or at the OFII? Thanks again for your help, and how long does it take to get the visa?!! jean luc
GE Geronimotm Regular ·
hi Fifiabi,

how are you? I’ve got a question for you since you’re in the same situation as me, I think. We’re just starting the visa application process, and we just called the French embassy in Yaoundé. We bought a Bantou card, and they said we need 3 Bantou cards because we have to include the children too. It’s not straightforward.

Could you explain this to me? I thought they’d be able to come at the same time as their mother.

Thanks,

Jean-Luc

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