How to obtain a residence permit in France?

France is a country that has created all the conditions for comfortable work, high-tech treatment, travel, social and cultural activities. There is economic stability here, and a rich cultural life provides opportunities for self-development. This and not only this can explain such a high interest in obtaining a residence permit.

Our company specializes in providing qualified assistance to visa applicants and assumes the responsibilities of a curator in obtaining a residence permit, long-term visa to France, permission to purchase real estate, etc. Experts at Euro_Resident Travel and Consulting have impressive experience and are familiar with the legislative framework on the basis of which Possible move to France. By contacting us, you can count on quickly receiving a residence permit and other documentation for legal relocation.

Obtaining a residence permit gives the right to:

• move freely around the country, enter and leave it;
• receive loans and mortgages from European banks on preferential terms;
• move freely throughout the Schengen countries;
• open a business;
• receive medical care in all areas;
• receive free education;
• find employment in organizations;
• receive a pension and other social benefits.

What does a French residence permit provide?

Russian citizens who become holders of the Carte de Sejour Temporaire receive legal grounds to stay and reside in France for a long period of time. The benefits of obtaining a residence permit include:

• Free crossing of the borders of all Schengen member countries, without a visa.
• Receiving the full range of medical services on an equal basis with French citizens.
• Children have the right to free education.
• Social protection. Easily receive pension, sick leave and paid maternity leave. And also register with the Employment Center and receive monthly payments from the state.
• Tax benefits. According to French law, a person who resides in the country for six months or more becomes a tax resident. It is obliged to pay all necessary taxes, but at the same time has the right to receive benefits.
• Free attendance at language courses (French).
• Use all banking services, including getting a loan.

Having received a residence permit, a foreigner becomes the owner of almost all the rights of a French citizen. The exception is participation in the political life of the country.

Reasons for obtaining a French residence permit

French legislation provides for a number of programs under which foreign citizens have the opportunity to obtain a residence permit:

1. Reunion with family. Applicants can be spouses, children under 18 years of age, close relatives who have the necessary papers confirming kinship with French citizens.
2. Education. Having become a student at one of the French universities, a foreign citizen receives a visa (based on a letter of acceptance), and upon arrival in France he can apply to the migration service with a request for a residence permit.
3. Marriage to a French citizen. Applications from both spouses and a marriage certificate must be provided.
4. Employment. Issued only on the basis of a long-term contract with the employer. Seasonal or temporary work is not taken into account.
5. Investments. Applicants need to invest a certain amount (minimum amount of 1 million euros) in one of the sectors of the economy (agriculture, industry) of France or purchase securities issued in the country.
6. For pensioners. This program is designed for people of retirement age who speak French and have sufficient capital.
7. Au Pair program. It is intended for persons under the age of 30 who are ready to live in the home of a French family and provide assistance in raising children, caring for the sick, cooking and cleaning. Young people receive about 250-350 euros monthly, but the owners provide food and living space.

Programs designed for wealthy foreigners have the most optimal requirements.

French residence permit when purchasing real estate

The country is not one of the states that provide for the immediate provision of a residence permit if a foreigner becomes the owner of an apartment (house). This factor serves only as one piece of evidence of the applicant’s wealth. For a residence permit, you will need not only documentation confirming the presence of your own real estate, but also other documents indicating the wealth of the applicant (annual income - at least 16 thousand euros).

The undeniable advantages of obtaining a residence permit under this program include:

• no need to reside permanently in the country;
• unhindered extension of the validity of the residence permit;
• the legislation does not provide for minimum limits on the cost of an apartment or house;
• It is not necessary to be fluent in the language.

A residence permit is issued for 12 months. Further extension does not provide for the collection of additional papers.

One of the disadvantages of the program is the ban on work throughout the country.

Residence permit in France for financially independent persons

Wealthy Russians can take advantage of the opportunity to obtain a residence permit under the “Guest” program. It gives the right to live in France all year round and can be renewed an unlimited number of times.

The program provides for restrictions on labor activity (for hire) in the country.

Becoming an entrepreneur or co-owner of a French company does not just happen. You will have to contact local authorities and get permission.

Do not apply for a special permit, but only sculptors, artists, translators, writers, and (freelance) journalists have the right to engage in labor activities. These people are required to simply notify the territorial municipal authorities before starting work.

The program stipulates that the main source of income should not be in France. This fact is confirmed by documents: bank statements and other official papers. Annual account balances are at least 17,340 euros.

The advantages of this program are:

• fast processing – about 10 days;
• You don’t have to be the owner of the property;
• children (under 25 years of age) of the main applicant, spouse, and dependent pensioner parents can become holders of a residence permit (automatically).

Without violating any requirements, after 5 years or earlier, there is a real opportunity to become a French citizen.

French residence permit without the right to work - visitor visa

French legislation provides for the possibility of granting foreigners a residence permit that does not give the right to work - a visitor visa. It allows you to live in the country for a year. There are certain requirements for obtaining such a residence permit:

• The applicant is required to prove his financial solvency - documents confirming receipt of income in other countries. In France, only passive ones are allowed (dividends, rent, interest on deposits). The total annual income for an adult is at least 17,000 €, for a child – 8,500 euros;
• have rented or own housing.
• take out insurance for yourself and other family members.

Russians who have received a visitor visa must stay without leaving for six months. This will only be needed for those categories of citizens who subsequently want to obtain citizenship or obtain permanent residence.

Long-term student visa

France, since the Middle Ages, has accepted foreign applicants to its universities and continues to follow this tradition today. Therefore, entering a French university with Russian training is not too difficult, but knowledge of the language of the country of study is required.

First, the applicant must submit an application for preliminary admission to the chosen educational institution and pass a language test.

Sorbonne University in Paris, France

This can be done in the appropriate institutions on the territory of the Russian Federation. Once the enrollment document has been received from the educational institution (in writing), you can begin to apply for a long-term visa, which is analogous to a residence permit and is renewed annually for the entire period of study.

To do this, you need to prepare documents translated into French and notarized:

• one completed OFII document;
• two questionnaires;
• three photographs;
• valid international passport;
• insurance policy;
• receipt of payment of the consular fee.
• certificate of preliminary enrollment in an educational institution;
• document confirming the availability of funds;
• certificate of availability of place of residence.

OFII (Office for Immigration and Integration). The required form can be obtained from the consular service of the embassy or on the appropriate website and filled out. An insurance policy that must provide coverage in the amount of 30,000 euros. In 2021, the consular fee is 99 euros, but in case of refusal of a visa, this amount is not refundable.

The funds that must be in the bank account must amount to 615 euros for each month of stay. To confirm your place of residence, you must provide a document confirming the rental of housing for a period of at least a year or a duly certified letter of invitation from a person living in France.

Having arrived in France, you must send the OFII form, certified by the consulate, to the branch of this authority at your place of residence within three months by registered mail..

A student visa, similar to a residence permit, is issued for a period of 1 year with the right to extension. It allows you to visit Schengen countries for up to three months. A student studying at an educational institution in France does not have the right to work beyond the agreed period, which is no more than 60% of the country’s standard working time per year.

How to get a residence permit in France

Citizens of states not located in the Schengen area can obtain a residence permit only with a D visa. Therefore, Russians, first of all, are obliged to take care of opening a long-term visa, such as:

• investment;
• business;
• student;
• working.

It is only possible to obtain long-term visas by contacting the Consulate of the French Republic in the Russian Federation directly.

But this is only the first step towards the goal. Next, while still at home, you need to take care of collecting all the required documents.

Required documents

You should collect the necessary papers exactly according to the list, especially since the applicant already has the main part (the same as for a D visa).

Required documents:

1. The applicant's international passport with a long-term visa stamp.
2. A set of documents giving grounds to obtain a residence permit:

• an official letter from the university confirming enrollment in the course;
• long-term employment contract;
• papers confirming investment investments;
• statutory documents of a company registered in French territory, of which the applicant became a co-owner/proprietor;
• marriage certificate with a French citizen and statements from both spouses;
• documents confirming relationship (applies to the Family Reunification program).

1. Photo, 3 pcs. (35x45 mm).
2. A health insurance policy that covers all medical expenses.
3. A long-term apartment rental agreement or papers confirming ownership of real estate.
4. Bank statements are an argument of material wealth.
5. Envelopes (2 pcs.), indicating the French residential address.
6. Application (form OFII).

All copies of documents are translated into French and certified by a notary.

Where to contact

The applicant, having arrived in France, applies to the Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) and registers there. Such branches are located in all regions of the country. They are determined according to place of residence.

You must register and apply for a residence permit at least 3 months before the expiration of your long-term visa. After this procedure, the applicant will be given an interview date. During a personal conversation, OFII employees ask a standard set of questions related to the main goal, perhaps clarify the main sources of income, and use testing to check the level of knowledge of the state language.

Price issue

Costs include:

• mandatory payments: Consular fee for a long-term visa – 99 euros (student visa – 58 euros), fee for a residence permit – 241 €, administrative fee – about 30 euros;
• additional. These include payment for intermediary services.

If the residence permit was refused for the first time, resubmitting the application costs 106 €, students pay only 49 euros.

Application consideration period

According to French law, 2 months are allotted for consideration of an application for a residence permit. This period may vary: the minimum review period is 30 days, if additional questions arise regarding documentation - up to 3 months.

In large cities, the registration process is faster than in small towns.

Validity period of the French residence permit

The duration depends on the receiving program. The most common option is a temporary residence permit for a period of 12 months, but with the right to further extension. A residence permit obtained under the “Skills and Talents” program is valid for 3 years. The pension can be issued for a period of 10 years.

The same period is provided for a permanent residence permit.

Where to apply for a residence permit

All migration issues in France are the responsibility of the OFII (migration service). It is represented in every French prefecture (administrative unit of the country) and is usually located at the French police department. Pre-registration will be required when submitting documents. You must log in to the migration service website and apply for a residence permit. A letter will be sent in response to the e-mail specified by the applicant indicating the date and time when the migration service employees will be waiting for him.

Video: interesting facts about France

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-Jr2dx9tiNw

Renewal of residence permit in France

Foreign citizens who have received a residence permit have the right to renew it several times. The extension may last for 4 years or more, as long as the applicant has compelling reasons for this.

After 5 years of residence, a foreigner has the opportunity to obtain a permanent residence permit or obtain French citizenship. The procedure is quite simple: a personal conversation with OFII employees, passing an exam on knowledge of the state language and the legislative framework of France, a test on the history and culture of the country.

Certain categories of foreigners with a residence permit can apply for citizenship without waiting for the expiration of 5 years. After 2 years of successful study at the university and participation in various government programs, gifted students can count on receiving a permanent residence permit.

How long is the residence permit valid?

A residence permit in France is issued for a period of one year, after which the status will need to be renewed annually for the same period. The exception is minors under 18 years of age. They are assigned the status immediately for five years or for the period remaining until they reach adulthood, which in France, as in Russia, occurs at 18 years of age. For example, a 12-year-old child will be issued a residence permit for 5 years, and a 16-year-old child, accordingly, only for 2 years.

To extend the status, you will only need documents confirming the basis for its extension, as well as a receipt confirming the payment of the next state duty. You must also take a new photograph and provide proof of financial security.

According to the law, the time required to extend the status cannot exceed 30 calendar days.

Speaking about life in France, one cannot fail to mention the wonderful local bureaucracy. There are legends about her. And perhaps the songs have not yet been sung. And yes, local authorities love correspondence by mail. By regular mail. Send us such and such a piece of paper. You send it. You get the answer: we are very sorry, but such a seal is missing here. Or: thank you, we received your paper, but unfortunately we lost it, could you send it again? (This is a real case.) All this takes time, of course. They are just getting acquainted with electronic document management.

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https://www.stena.ee/blog/plyusy-i-minusy-prozhivaniya-vo-frantsii

Possible reasons for refusal to issue and extend a French residence permit

Migration services, in most cases, give a positive answer and Russians receive a residence permit, but refusals also occur. There are a number of reasons for this:

1. An OFII questionnaire filled out with errors is the most common case.
2. Incorrectly drawn up documents (absence of seals, signatures and company details on certificates).
3. Inaccurate information about the status of accounts.
4. Having a criminal record.
5. Lack of receipts for payment of duties and fees.
6. Establishing the fictitiousness of marriage.
7. Untrue health information. During additional medical examinations, an infectious disease (dangerous to others) or drug addiction may be detected. Residence permits and HIV-infected persons are not issued.
8. Lack of compelling reasons for issuing a residence permit.

Russians and other foreign citizens who have already received a residence permit may lose the right to further extension. The main reason for this is a violation of French law and failure to comply with the basic requirements established by government authorities.

What determines the processing time?

French legislation obliges migration service employees to consider an application for temporary resident status within no more than two months. In practice, much depends on their workload and on the correct preparation of the package of documents and the availability of sufficient grounds for the applicant to request status.

Usually the result becomes known within two weeks (if all the documents are in place and everything meets the requirements). Since the procedure for obtaining a residence permit involves paperwork, it is possible that the documents and application will be returned to the applicant for correction and addition. In this case, each time the period for consideration of the application will be reset. As mentioned in the example above, documents may be returned two or three times, or maybe more. Accordingly, temporary resident status can be expected for three months or six months. However, all this time the foreign citizen will remain legally on French territory, since he will be issued an appropriate certificate stating that his documents have been accepted for consideration for obtaining a residence permit.

The migration service departments, which are located in large French cities, in particular in Paris, work much faster, despite the greater workload, than provincial ones.