Time taken to get CDJ for EEA family member

[tebee]

I finally gave up on trying to get married in France last year and got married in BKK instead.

Now in a months time I'm intending to return to France with my new stepson as we want to apply for a carte de séjour and for him to start learning French. I run a small business based in France so I qualify under EEA family permit rules.

I want to do this now while he is under 21 and for the next three years we will both be travelling back and forth between Bangkok and France with the intention of moving to France at the end of this time.

How long is it likely he will have to remain in France while his CDJ application is processed? We are planning coming for an initial 3 months but I have a feeling that may not be long enough.

[Bevdeforges]

According to this page from the Service Public website: Citoyens européens et suisses : installer sa famille proche en France - Service-public.fr it looks like your stepson should be entitled to a carte de séjour "automatically" (i.e. on the same basis as your spouse) as long as he is considered "à charge."

It shouldn't take long - but that can depend on the prefecture you have to work through. Check on the website for your local préfecture to see what the process is for making an appointment, or for queuing up to get a place in line. Also to check on the documents you'll need to bring with you.
Cheers,
Bev

[tebee]

Yes I'm fairly sure he should get an automatic CDS, it just that website only says they will issue it within 6 months - if he can't travel for 6 months is going to be a major pain !

It also means I can't travel for 6 months as I can't leave him alone in a country he does not know or understand the language.

Any idea if he will get a one year CDS first or a 5 year one? If he does get a one year one I assume he will be able to automatically re-new it even though he will be over 21 by then.

[Bevdeforges]

The first CDS is usually only a one-year one. But in France, 18 is considered the age of majority unless your step-son is a full time student or otherwise attached to your household as a dependent.
Cheers,
Bev

[tebee]

The link you gave before - Citoyens européens et suisses : installer sa famille proche en France - Service-public.fr says

"Le citoyen européen peut être accompagné ou rejoint par les membres de sa famille proche, quelle que soit leur nationalité.

Ces membres sont : le conjoint, les enfants de moins de 21 ans ou à charge (et ceux du conjoint), les ascendants directs à charge (et ceux du conjoint)."

Which would appear to indicate that 21 is the magic age .

[Bevdeforges]

OK - obviously I only skimmed over the text. It's funny because 18 is the recognized age of majority here - and for tax purposes there are various definitions of "attachment" to a particular household.
Cheers,
Bev