Residence permit in France

This article explains how to obtain a residence permit in France for a Russian citizen, what difficulties may arise when applying, and what opportunities French residency status offers, especially in times of closed borders.

The pandemic has shown that French citizens, EU citizens and residence permit holders can enter France relatively freely regardless of the epidemiological situation. When entering France, they must hold a European vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test for coronavirus made no earlier than 48 hours before departure. Residency status entitles them to enter France even when visa centres are suspended and quarantine measures are imposed in the country.

France currently has only the countries in European space and 22 other countries in the epidemiological “green” zone. Many other countries are either on the “orange” or the “red” list and their citizens can only travel to France if they have pressing grounds for travel.

So, obtaining a residence permit in France for foreigners is a realistic way of maintaining freedom of movement in times of pandemic and being able to move to France.

The advantages of moving to France and obtaining a residence permit:

• it entitles holders to travel across the EU countries and Schengen area without a visa;
• you can live in France for a long period of time, not just 3 months of a half-year, as tourists are allowed;
• it gives the same rights as citizenship, except for the right to vote and to participate in political life;
• you get the right work or start your own business, to receive free education and high-quality medical care;
• a residence permit is issued for 1 year and is renewable. After only 5 years of residence in France, you can receive permanent residence status and apply for French citizenship;
• your family members may also apply for this status under the family reunification procedure.

Types of residence permits in France:

• A temporary residence permit (Carte de Séjour Temporaire) is valid for up to 1 year and renewable if the grounds for granting it are still valid;
• Permanent residence (Carte de Resident) is issued after 5 years of permanent residence in France and valid for up to 10 years.

Obtaining a residence permit in France

The requirements for obtaining a residence permit in France are strictly regulated. When dealing with the French bureaucracy, it is important to have all the right documents. Any mistake may result in the refusal of a residence permit. The Migration Service carefully checks the sufficiency of the grounds for issuing a residence permit and the financial stability of foreigners. Let’s have a look at the possible ways of obtaining a residence permit in France.

How you can obtain a residence permit:

• By marrying a French citizen;
• Through reunification with close relatives permanently residing in France;
• By entering a French university or enrolling on a long-term French language course;
• By receiving a job or internship invitation from a French company;
• By coming to France for a long period of time as a financially independent person;
• By starting your own business in France;
• By investing into in the country's economy;
• Through a significant contribution to French science or art;
• By working for a French family as an Au Pair;
• As a refugee.

Applying for a residence permit in France

First step. First, you need to obtain a long-stay national visa type D at the French consulate, which entitles you to stay in the country for a period of 3 months to 1 year. You can find the grounds and the list of documents required for obtaining this type of visa on the official website of the French visa centre in your country. As a rule, the grounds for issuing a long-term visa are the same as the grounds for a residence permit registration.

Second step. Within 2 months after entering France with a type D visa, you must contact the prefecture at your place of residence to apply for a residence permit. You must submit the original supporting documents and buy a revenue stamp.

Third step. As a rule, a residence permit is issued for one year, but if the grounds for its issuance are still valid, it can be renewed. Renewing a residence permit is not difficult. You have to go to the prefecture two months before the document expires and send your updated application. After the OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) checks your documents, the residence permit is renewed provided there are no serious irregularities.

Required documents

1. A completed application form;
2. International passport with a long-term type D visa;
3. Three 3.5 х 4.5 cm photographs in colour;
4. Proof of residence: rental or purchase agreement, invitation letter;
5. Proof of sufficient funds: bank account statement, statement of employment;
6. Proof of sufficient funds for long-term stay in France: studying, family reunification, work, business start-up, financially independent person, etc.;
7. Insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000;
8. Documents confirming marital status (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children);
9. Certificate of knowledge of the French language and culture (if required).

Documents in foreign languages must be translated into French and certified by a notary.

Application processing time

The statutory deadline for processing a residence permit application is 2 months. In practice, however, documents can be processed between 2 weeks to six months. If the application package is returned for correction, the deadline is reset and the countdown begins from start. The processing usually takes less time in larger cities than in the provincial centres.

Fees

• The fee for a residence permit is €241 (€58 for students).
• Renewal of a residence permit costs €106 (€49 for students).

How to obtain a residence permit for various groups of applicants

Business owners

Businessmen planning to start or buy a business in France apply for a long-term visa with permission to conduct business activities. The residence permit is valid for 1 year, then can be renewed if the business is successful. You will need a university degree, a business plan, a licence for business activity (if required) and proof of a clean criminal record.

Financially independent persons

Financially independent persons can apply for a long-term visitor’s visa without the right to work in France (Visiteur card). Then a residence permit is issued for 1 year with an option of renewal, and after 5 years of permanent residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Knowledge of the French language is not required to obtain a residence permit.

The applicant must document their financial independence and meet all the following requirements:

• To have an account in France with a balance of more than €20,000–30,000 (depending on the family size).
• To have a monthly income of at least €1,750 (plus 15% for the spouse and 10% for each minor child).
• To possibly have several different sources of income: salary, rental property, deposits, royalties, bank savings, etc.
• To purchase or rent accommodation in France for one year with a minimum area of 16 m² for two people, plus 9 m² for each additional family member.
• Give an undertaking not to take up gainful employment in France (except for freelance professions: artist, consultant, translator, journalist, etc.).

Studying

Students get visas for the duration of their studies at a university or at French courses. The student must prove their enrollment and their ability to pay. Their parents may act as the student’s sponsor. As a general rule, it is compulsory to have knowledge of the French language in order to study in a French university and to be able to demonstrate this by passing an examination. Students may work in France for up to 20 hours per week.

Work

A residence permit on this basis is granted to foreigners who have an employment contract with a French company for a minimum period of 12 months, and have a work permit. If the contract is valid for less than 1 year, foreigners are given the status of temporary workers (travailleur temporaire). To obtain a temporary residence permit, the employer has to certify in writing to the French migration service that no French nationals are suitable for this job and that a foreign specialist is indispensable. Preference is given to highly qualified candidates.

Family reunification

French nationals and foreigners who have been legal residents in France for more than 1.5 years may apply for a residence permit for their close relatives. Spouses, parents and minor children up to the age of 18 are entitled to a residence permit for family reunification (vie privée et familiale). Proof of relationship and proof of sufficient stable income to support the entire family in France is required. The accommodation must meet the minimum living space requirements: at least 16 m² for two, plus 9 m² for each additional family member. The family members must not have serious communicable diseases.

Marriage to a French national

Spouses of French nationals may obtain a residence permit in France. Before granting the residence permit, the French authorities perform a thorough check to ensure that the marriage is not fictitious. If the couple divorces within five years, the immigrant must leave French territory before the residence permit expires.

Purchasing real estate

Purchasing real estate makes it easier to obtain a visa and provides substantial visa benefits, but it does not constitute the grounds for obtaining a residence permit in France.

Passeport Talent

The Passeport Talent programme was launched in 2016 for foreigners willing to contribute to the economic and cultural development of France. This residence permit is awarded to talented foreigners who have developed unique projects in the fields of science, art or technology, as well as to investors, highly qualified professionals and start-uppers. The residence permit is valid for 4 years (renewable) and entitles the holder to pursue a professional activity in France.

Investors can participate in this programme if they invest at least €300,000 in a French company, create jobs in the country and keep them for 4 years. The application can be made by an individual or a legal entity, provided that the applicant is a director or founder of the company (with at least 30% shareholding).

Highly qualified employees may participate in the Passeport Talent programme if they have a Master’s degree, five years’ work experience and an employment contract with a French employer. Qualified employees must receive a salary of at least €37,310 per year and highly qualified professionals (Blue Card) a salary of at least €53,836 per year.

Start-uppers willing to launch an innovative start-up in France can also participate in this programme and receive a French Tech Visa. The applicant must submit a business project for consideration by the French authorities, which can prove interesting and innovative for the country’s economy. French incubators such as Station F, Paris & Co and BIC Montpellier can be approached for additional funding.

Refusal and revocation of a residence permit

Grounds for refusal to issue a residence permit:

• Incorrectly executed documents;
• Providing false information;
• Insufficient income;
• Violation of French law.

Reasons for revoking a residence permit:

• Authorities discover that the documents have been falsified;
• The foreigner failed to comply with French law;
• The foreigner committed a crime abroad.

Right to appeal

A foreigner has the right to appeal against a refusal to grant a residence permit. He has to lodge an appeal with the Migration Service within 2 weeks of the refusal. If the appeal is rejected, an application can be submitted to the court of the first instance within 2 months.

Residence permit in other countries:

UAE residence permit: processing time and fees in 2024

Turkey Residence Permit: types and application

Residence permit in Germany