Residence Permit – Private and Family Life

The “Private and Family Life” residence permit allows a foreign national to legally reside in France due to their personal and family ties in the country. It is primarily aimed at people with close family ties in France, or whose personal situation justifies a right to stay.

What is the Private and Family Life Residence Permit?

This residence permit is granted to foreigners who can justify personal and family ties in France. It allows them to live and work in France. This permit is generally issued for a duration of one year and is renewable under certain conditions.

Conditions for Obtaining the Residence Permit

To obtain a “Private and Family Life” residence permit, several conditions must be met:

• Have family ties in France (spouse, school-aged children, etc.).
• Reside continuously in France and demonstrate satisfactory social integration.
• Not pose a threat to public order.
• Be in a regular situation or, in some cases, be able to regularize their situation.

Rights and Benefits of the Residence Permit

The “Private and Family Life” residence permit offers several advantages:

• Right to reside in France for one year, renewable.
• Right to work in France without needing a specific work authorization.
• Access to certain social rights, such as social security, family allowances, and housing assistance.

Application Procedure

The application for a “Private and Family Life” residence permit involves several steps:

• Make an appointment at the prefecture to submit the residence permit application.
• Prepare a complete file including: your passport, proof of your family ties in France (marriage certificate, children’s school certificates, etc.), proof of residence, and any other document proving your integration.
• Attend an interview if required by the prefecture.
• Wait for the issuance of the residence permit, which is generally valid for one year.

Renewal and Associated Rights

The “Private and Family Life” residence permit is renewable each year, as long as the initial conditions are still met:

• Maintaining family ties in France.
• Continuous social integration and regular situation in France.

In case of separation or change in family situation, the renewal may be compromised unless you can justify other ties or reasons justifying your stay in France.

Naturalization and Access to French Nationality

After several years of residence with this residence permit, you may be eligible for naturalization to become a French citizen, under certain conditions such as length of stay, proficiency in the French language, and successful integration.

Residence Permit – Employee

The residence permit for employees allows a foreign national to work and legally reside in France under an employment contract. This permit is essential for engaging in paid employment in France if you are a national of a non-European country.

What is the Employee Residence Permit?

The employee residence permit is a document that authorizes a foreign national to work in France for a specific employer under a defined employment contract. It is generally issued for a duration of one year, renewable, and grants specific rights related to employment and residence in France.

Conditions for Obtaining the Residence Permit

To obtain a residence permit as an employee, several conditions must be met:

• Have a signed employment contract with an employer in France.
• Your employer must submit a work authorization request to the Direccte (Regional Directorate for Enterprises, Competition, Consumption, Labor, and Employment).
• Meet the qualification and experience requirements for the offered position.
• Not pose a threat to public order.

Rights and Benefits of the Residence Permit

The employee residence permit offers several benefits:

• The right to reside in France for the duration of the employment contract, usually one year, renewable.
• The possibility to change employers under certain conditions, by obtaining a new work authorization.
• Access to certain social rights, such as social security and unemployment benefits.

Application Procedure

The application for an employee residence permit involves several steps:

• Your employer must submit a work authorization request to the Direccte.
• Once the work authorization is obtained, you need to make an appointment at the prefecture to submit your residence permit application.
• Prepare a file including: your passport, the employment contract, the work authorization, proof of residence, and possibly qualification certificates.
• Wait for the issuance of the residence permit, which is generally valid for one year.

Renewal and Change of Status

The employee residence permit is renewable, provided the employment contract is maintained. You can also apply for a change of status to another type of residence permit if your situation evolves (for example, if you become self-employed or change your field of activity).

• Renewal requires proof that you are still employed with a valid contract.
• The change of status must be justified by a significant change in your professional or personal situation.

Risks of Losing the Residence Permit

The employee residence permit may be revoked if the job is lost, unless you quickly find a new employer and obtain a new work authorization. It can also be canceled if the conditions of stay or employment are not respected.

Residence Permit – Spouse of a French Citizen

The residence permit for the spouse of a French citizen allows a foreign national married to a French citizen to legally reside in France. This permit facilitates the integration of the non-French spouse into French society by granting specific rights.

What is the Residence Permit for Spouse of a French Citizen?

This residence permit is issued to foreigners married to a French citizen, allowing them to legally reside in France. It is generally granted for an initial duration of one year, renewable, and offers advantages in terms of residency and work rights.

Conditions for Obtaining the Residence Permit

To obtain a residence permit as the spouse of a French citizen, certain conditions must be met:

• Be legally married to a French citizen and recognized as such in France.
• Reside in France with your spouse.
• Not pose a threat to public order.
• Submit the residence permit application within one year following the marriage or your arrival in France if the marriage took place abroad.

Rights and Benefits of the Residence Permit

The residence permit for the spouse of a French citizen offers several advantages:

• Right to reside in France for one year, renewable.
• Possibility to work in France without needing to apply for a work permit.
• Access to certain social rights, such as social security and housing assistance.

Application Procedure

To obtain the residence permit, you must follow a procedure with the prefecture:

• Make an appointment at the prefecture to submit the residence permit application.
• Prepare a complete file including: your passport, marriage certificate, proof of residence, and your spouse’s French ID card.
• Attend an interview if required by the prefecture.
• Wait for the issuance of the residence permit, which is generally valid for one year, renewable.

Renewal and Loss of the Residence Permit

The residence permit can be renewed each year, as long as the initial conditions are still met:

• Maintaining the marriage and cohabitation in France.
• Absence of a threat to public order.

In case of divorce or separation, the residence permit may not be renewed, unless you can justify a particular situation (example: a child with the French spouse).

Naturalization and Access to French Nationality

After several years of residence in France with this residence permit, you may be eligible for naturalization to become a French citizen. The conditions generally include a minimum duration of marriage (four years), successful integration, and sufficient proficiency in the French language.

Residence Permit – Spouse of a European National

The residence permit for the spouse of a European national allows a foreign national married to a citizen of the European Union to legally reside in France. This permit grants specific rights and facilitates the integration of the non-European spouse into French society.

What is the Residence Permit for Spouse of a European National?

This residence permit is intended for spouses of citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. It allows the non-European spouse to live and work in France legally. This residence permit is issued under certain conditions and allows for the benefit of freedom of movement within the EU.

Conditions for Obtaining the Residence Permit

To obtain a residence permit as the spouse of a European national, several conditions must be met:

• Be married to a national of an EU, EEA, or Swiss member state.
• Reside in France with your spouse, who must be engaged in an activity (employed, self-employed, or other legitimate activity) or justify sufficient resources.
• Not pose a threat to public order.

Rights and Benefits of the Residence Permit

The residence permit for the spouse of a European national offers several advantages:

• Right to reside in France for five years, renewable.
• Free access to the labor market, without needing a work permit.
• Freedom of movement and residence within all EU countries.
• Access to certain social rights, such as social security and housing assistance.

Application Procedure

To obtain the residence permit, you must follow a specific procedure with the prefecture:

• Make an appointment at the prefecture to submit the residence permit application.
• Prepare a complete file including: your passport, marriage certificate, proof of residence, and proof of your spouse’s activity or resources.
• Attend an interview at the prefecture if required.
• Wait for the issuance of the residence permit, which is generally valid for five years.

Renewal and Loss of the Residence Permit

At the end of the five-year validity, the residence permit can be renewed. To do so, you must prove that the initial conditions are still met:

• Maintaining the marriage and cohabitation in France.
• Your spouse must continue to engage in an activity or justify sufficient resources.

In case of divorce or separation before the five years, the residence permit may be revoked, unless you can justify a particular situation (example: shared custody of a child, etc.).

Your Rights after 5 Years of Residence

After five years of continuous residence in France with this residence permit, you can apply for a long-term resident card – EU. This card offers you permanent residency rights and gives you more stability and rights in France.

10-Year Resident Card in France

The 10-year resident card is a residence permit in France that allows a foreign national to reside regularly in France for a long period. This residence permit offers great stability for people wishing to establish themselves permanently in France and enjoy the rights associated with this residence.

What is the 10-Year Resident Card?

The 10-year resident card is a document issued by the French state to foreigners who meet certain conditions. It allows its holder to reside regularly in France for ten years, with the possibility of renewal. This residence permit also offers great freedom in terms of work and movement.

Conditions for Obtaining the 10-Year Resident Card

To obtain a 10-year resident card, several conditions must be met. These conditions vary depending on the applicant’s individual situation:

• Be in a regular situation in France at the time of application.
• Have resided continuously in France for at least five years.
• Have stable and sufficient resources to support yourself.
• Not pose a threat to public order.
• Demonstrate republican integration, including proficiency in the French language and adherence to the values of the Republic.

Advantages of the 10-Year Resident Card

Obtaining a 10-year resident card in France offers many advantages:

• Right to reside in France for ten years, renewable without limitation.
• Possibility to work in France without restrictions on employment or employer.
• Freedom of movement within the Schengen area for short stays (up to 90 days).
• Access to certain social rights in France, under specific conditions (housing assistance, social security, etc.).

Renewal Procedure

The 10-year resident card can be renewed upon expiration. Renewal is done at the prefecture of your place of residence. To do so, you must prove that you still meet the initial conditions for obtaining the card, particularly in terms of continuous residence, resources, and respect for public order.

Loss and Withdrawal of the Resident Card

In certain situations, the 10-year resident card may be withdrawn or lost:

• If you leave French territory for more than three consecutive years.
• If you no longer meet the conditions for obtaining the card (example: lack of sufficient resources).
• In case of a threat to public order (serious offense, dangerous behavior, etc.).

How to Apply for the 10-Year Resident Card?

The application for the 10-year resident card is generally made at the prefecture or sub-prefecture of your place of residence. Here are the main steps:

• Make an appointment at the prefecture to submit your file.
• Prepare all the required documents (identity documents, proof of residence, resources, etc.).
• Possibly attend an integration interview to verify your proficiency in French and adherence to the values of the Republic.
• Wait for the prefecture’s decision, which will be communicated to you by mail.

Exceptional Admission to Stay in France

Exceptional admission to stay is a procedure that allows a foreign national in an irregular situation in France to regularize their status. This mechanism is intended for specific cases where the applicant does not meet the usual conditions for obtaining a residence permit but can nevertheless justify legitimate reasons for staying in France.

What is Exceptional Admission to Stay?

Exceptional admission to stay is a discretionary procedure by the prefecture. It aims to grant a residence permit to a person in an irregular situation when they present regularization elements that meet certain humanitarian or integration requirements. This mechanism applies notably in cases where the applicant’s integration is proven and returning to their country of origin would present significant difficulties.

Conditions for Obtaining Exceptional Admission to Stay

To be eligible for exceptional admission to stay, certain conditions must be met. These criteria are evaluated by the prefecture on a case-by-case basis:

• Justify a significant duration of presence in France (generally at least five years of residence).
• Present a stable family situation, with family ties in France (spouse, school-aged children, etc.).
• Show successful integration in France, notably through learning the French language, children’s schooling, or regular professional activity.
• Not pose a threat to public order.
• Present vulnerability elements (humanitarian reasons, risks in case of return to the country of origin, etc.).

Categories of Eligible Persons

Exceptional admission to stay may concern several categories of persons:

• Employees and workers: People justifying regular and stable professional activity in France, even in an irregular situation.
• Parents of school-aged children: Parents of minor children who have been attending school in France for several years.
• Sick persons: Foreign nationals suffering from a disease requiring treatment in France that cannot be followed in their country of origin.
• Integrated persons: People justifying strong integration in France (language, culture, family ties).

Application Procedure

The application for exceptional admission to stay is made at the prefecture or sub-prefecture of your place of residence. The procedure is strict and requires rigorous preparation:

• Make an appointment at the prefecture to submit the application.
• Prepare a solid file including all supporting documents (proofs of residence, family certificates, medical documents, proof of integration, etc.).
• Possibly attend an interview to explain your situation and motivations.
• Wait for the prefecture’s decision, which is made on a case-by-case basis after a complete evaluation of your file.

Advantages and Limitations

Exceptional admission to stay presents certain advantages, but also limitations:

• Advantages: Regularization of the administrative situation, possibility of obtaining a residence permit, access to social rights and the labor market.
• Limitations: Complex and uncertain procedure, dependent on the prefecture’s discretion, no guarantee of obtaining.

After Obtaining Exceptional Admission

Once exceptional admission to stay is granted, you obtain a residence permit, generally valid for one year, renewable. This permit allows you to legally reside in France, work, and access public services. It is important to ensure that all conditions associated with this permit are respected to ensure its renewal at the expiration date.