Immigration Law at Réunion (France)
Here’s a structured overview of immigration law in Réunion (France):
🌍 Legal Framework
Réunion is a French overseas department.
Immigration is governed by the French Code de l’entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d’asile (CESEDA).
Not part of the Schengen Area → entry rules differ from mainland France/Schengen.
🛂 Entry & Visa Rules
Visa-free: EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, and other countries visa-exempt for France, can enter for up to 90 days.
Separate Visa Needed: A Schengen visa does not allow entry to Réunion. One must apply for a visa for Overseas France.
Documents: Passport valid 3 months beyond departure, return ticket, accommodation proof, funds.
💼 Work & Long-Stay Visas
VLS-TS (Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour): For stays > 90 days.
Salarié VLS-TS – 1-year, for contracted employment.
Passeport Talent VLS-TS – up to 4 years, for skilled professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs.
Process: Employer applies for work authorization → OFII (French Office of Immigration) → Visa at French consulate → Validation in Réunion.
🏠 Residency & Citizenship
10-year Resident Card ("Carte de Résident"): After 5 years of legal continuous stay (with stable income, integration, French language skills).
Permanent Residency: Available after holding two 10-year cards or for certain long-term residents (e.g., over 60).
Citizenship by Naturalization: Possible after 5 years of residence (reduced to 2 for certain groups like graduates of French universities). Requires French proficiency, integration, and clean record.
👨👩👧 Family Reunification
Spouses, children, and dependents of legal residents can apply.
Requires proof of income, adequate housing, and relationship documents.
📘 Integration Rules
Applicants must sign a Républican Integration Contract (CIR).
Language Requirement:
Residence permits → A2 French.
Citizenship → B1 today, but rising to B2 level by 2026.
Recent debate: many French citizens themselves would fail these new tests (The Guardian).
✅ Quick Summary Table
| Category | Réunion Rules |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | French CESEDA |
| Schengen Status | Not in Schengen |
| Short Stay | Visa-free for EU/visa-exempt countries (≤90 days) |
| Work/Long Stay | VLS-TS (1–4 yrs depending on type) |
| Permanent Residence | 10-year card after 5 years |
| Citizenship | After 5 years + language/integration |
| Family Reunification | Available, with housing/income conditions |
| Language Requirement | A2 (residence), B1–B2 (citizenship) |
⚖️ Bottom line: Immigration to Réunion follows French national law, but with distinct visa rules since it’s outside Schengen. Long-term residence and naturalization pathways exist, but they require integration, language proficiency, and adherence to French legal processes.
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