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. What are the different kinds of residence permits issued in France?
. How do I get a residence permit?
. When can I get a ten-year resident card?
. Who can get a ten-year resident card? I've been in France studying for seven years, can I get a ten-year resident card?
EUROPEANS
. I'm Italian and I've lived in France for several years. I heard that now I have to go register with the City Hall. Is that true?
. I'm German, my wife and my children are Chinese, and we came to settle in France. Does my family have to get visas and residence permits, when I don't have to?
. I am Romanian, and I have found work in France. Since Romania has joined the European Union, do I still need a residence permit and a work permit?
. I am polish and have worked in France for five years. Can I get residence papers that are better than just a temporary residence permit?
Q: What are the different kinds of residence permits issued in France?
A: There are several types of residence permits: employee, temporary worker, competences and talents, student, scientist, tradesperson, artistic and cultural profession, visitor and European Community. A temporary residence permit is issued for a maximum period of one year. Do not allow it to expire. Apply for renewal two or three months before it expires. When you renew it, be prepared to prove that you have filed an income tax return with the tax administration.
After five consecutive years with a residence permit (carte de séjour), you can apply for a ten-year resident card (carte de résident), which allows you to work freely.
Q: How do I get a residence permit?
A: Before getting a residence permit, all nationals from non-EU countries must first apply for a visa and a work permit with the French consulate closest to their residence abroad. Work permits are managed by the French Ministry of Labour and the immigration services. If the application is accepted, the consulate will inform the applicant. Once in France, foreign nationals need to get a medical check-up.
Within eight days of arriving in France, you need to present your papers to the government administrative offices of you place of residence in France in order to get a temporary residence permit (carte de séjour).
In Paris, you first have to go to the Foreigner Reception Centre (centre de réception des étrangers) before going to the government administrative offices. There are several of these centres, depending on your place of residence and the kind of application you are filing (whether you are a European citizen, a student, on business, etc.).
Explain your request to the Foreigner Reception Centre. Note that the person you speak to will probably only speak French. He will ask for all of your papers. Be prepared to show your passport and all other supporting documents. If your application is complete, you will get an appointment with the government administrative offices. Once at the government administrative offices, you could be asked for further documents.
If the government administrative offices cannot issue your residence permit immediately (which is often the case), you will receive an official receipt (récépissé). This receipt, which is valid for three months, must be kept with your identity papers, because it will allow you to travel outside of France and to work.
Q: When can I get a ten-year resident card?
A: After residing in France for five years as an employee (and therefore, upon presentation of five tax notices), you can apply for a ten-year resident card, which is renewable. However, the card will not automatically be granted. If it is granted, it will give you the right to work for any employer or to be self-employed.
Q: Who can get a ten-year resident card? I've been in France studying for seven years, can I get a ten-year resident card?
A: No. The ten-year resident card can be granted to many people, but not to students: spouse, children or relative of a French citizen; spouse or child of a resident card holder; veteran of the French armed forces; any foreign national present in France for ten years except students; recipients of a disability pension; beneficiaries of family reunification; all foreign nationals who can show evidence of complete immersion in France for at least five years.
Working in France on a permanent contract, mastering the French language, participating in local activities, having children in school, owning one's home, having signed a reception and integration contract, etc., are all elements that can prove your assimilation in France.
EUROPEANS
Q: I'm Italian and I've lived in France for several years. I heard that now I have to go register with the City Hall. Is that true?
A: Yes. Since you are exempt from needing a residence permit in France and your Italian national identity papers are enough, the French authorities ask that you go register with your City Hall. If you do not do so, you could be fined up to 750 euros. This measure allows the authorities to be sure that nationals from Eastern European countries who settle in France without working have the means to meet their needs. An it allows you (as European Union nationals) to vote in French municipal elections.
Q: I'm German, my wife and my children are Chinese, and we came to settle in France. Does my wife have to get a visa and residence permit, when I don't have to? Do I also have to apply for a residence permit?
A: If your wife does not have citizenship from a European Union Member State, yes, she has to get a long-stay visa before coming to France, and then a residence permit once here. She will get a "European Community-Family Member" residence permit, which will allow her to work at the job of her choice. If she forgets to get a residence permit, she could be fined up to 1,500 euros! After five years of presence in France, she will be entitled to "permanent residence" and will get a ten-year residence permit.
Although you are exempt from needing a residence permit, we recommend that you get one, as it will make it easier for you to get a visa to go to China to visit your in-laws. You can get a "European Community" residence permit, which is valid for five years. (This residence permit is not compulsory, but you can get one if you want it). After five years, you have the right to "permanent residence" and will get a residence permit that is valid for twenty years.
Q: I am Romanian, and I have found work in France. Since Romania has joined the European Union, do I still need a residence permit and a work permit?
A: Yes. Romania is subject to a transition period until 2014. As a result, you have to get a residence permit and a work permit. You will get a "European Community" residence permit. If you do not apply for it, you could be escorted back to the border! You must renew your residence permit every year until 2014. However, if you have a stable job and you work in France for the same employer more than one year, you no longer need to renew your work permit.
Q: I am polish and have worked in France for five years. Can I get residence papers that are better than just a temporary residence permit?
A: Yes. You are required to get a residence permit until the end of the transition period that applies to your country (1 May 2009), but since you have resided in France for five years, you have the right to "permanent residence" status and can get a "European Community" residence permit that is valid for twenty years and that gives you to work as you choose.
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