RESIDENCE PERMITS

AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE

If you are a European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Swiss, Monacan or Andorran national, you do not need a permit to reside in France. Citizens of all other countries should go to the local Foreigner Reception Centre (Centre de Réception des Etrangers) with their passport and visa to apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour) within 8 days of arriving in France. Unless your employer has already handled this for you, it is your responsibility to obtain this important document.

You will be given an appointment notice with the Prefecture of Police (Préfecture de Police), stating the date, time and location of the office where you should appear. This date is usually 2 to 12 weeks later.

If you live outside of Paris, you should inquire at your local police station or town hall about procedures for obtaining a carte de séjour.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To apply for a carte de séjour the following basic documents must be submitted (others may be required in individual cases). For complete information, please consult the Prefecture of Police website (in French).

• Valid passport including long-stay visa (with a photocopy of the passport photo, name, date and place of birth, validity and French visa page).
• Birth certificate and the birth certificates of your children (if applicable).
• 3 identity photographs (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm).
• Proof of financial resources (applicable in all cases).
• French Agency in Charge of Migration and Welcoming Foreign People (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration).
• Original copies of your diplomas.
• Proof of residence in France (e.g., electricity bill in your name, deed of sale (acte de vente), signed lease agreement in French, receipt of rent paid (quittance de loyer).

On applying for a carte de séjour, you are issued a temporary card (récépissé) which is valid for 3 months. On its expiration date, you need to return to the préfecture where you will either be given a carte de séjour or another récépissé.

The whole process may take up to 2-3 months. Once your carte de séjour is issued, you will be entitled to French social benefits, such as national health care.