What is a residence permit?
Obtain a residence permit allows a foreigner to stay on French territory for more than three months. Thanks to this document, foreigners can benefit from social security and financial allowances.
Le residence permit is not renewed automatically. Certainly, the foreigner must file an application to extend the validity.
The residence permit, in any case, is compulsory. Insofar as the foreigner does not have this title, he will be considered in an irregular situation. Therefore, he can inflict penalties on you.
The different types of residence permit and their validity
Before any application for a residence permit, it is important to know which are suitable for your situation. There are different types of residence permits and each of them requires you to justify your request.
Temporary residence card
The temporary residence permit mentions the reason for the foreigner's stay in France. This is for a maximum duration of one year.
The residence permit can be issued to these persons concerned:
- Employee
- Non-salaried worker (trader, craftsman, industrialist)
- Foreigner carrying out an activity not subject to authorization (architect, translator)
- Scientist-researcher
- performer
- Student fee
- Trainee
- Person with private and family ties in France (parent of a French child, French spouse)
- Person with sufficient resources to live in France and who undertakes not to work there.
Resident
Under certain conditions, you can benefit from a 10-year resident card. It can be given to you as a first residence permit or when renewing a temporary or multi-year permit.
For example, you can apply for the resident card if you have family ties in France or you have rendered services to France (for example, engagement in the Foreign Legion) or you benefit from international protection (for example refugee) .
Skills and talents
You can receive a skills and talents card if you plan to participate:
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economic development or the development of regional planning in France and your country of origin,
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or the influence, in particular intellectual, scientific, cultural, humanitarian or sporting of France and your country.
This card is granted for a period of three years.
Consequently, the spouses and children of the holder of the card automatically receive a temporary private life and family residence permit.
Retired residence permit
If you are a foreigner and retired, you can then obtain a residence permit mentioning retirement. However, this residence permit does not allow you to bring your family to France.
This card allows you to enter France at any time for stays of one maximum duration of one year.
Procedures for obtaining a residence permit (or renewing it)
Or do I have to file the application?
In general, to obtain or renew the residence permit, you must send the request to the prefecture on which your domicile depends.
First of all, you must make an appointment online and go to the prefecture on the day scheduled to officially submit your application.
One of the important rules to follow when filing this request is indeed that of the obligation of your presence. Therefore, you cannot send the file by post and file by a third party or even by a lawyer.
What documents do I need to provide?
First, the foreigner must submit the following documents to apply for a residence permit:
- Valid identity document (identity card or passport)
- Birth certificate
- Proof of address
- ID photos
However, there is a list of supporting documents that you must present depending on the reasons justifying your arrival in France.
The most important aspect is that your file must be complete. That is to say, your file must contain all the information and documents requested for your application for a residence permit to be valid. The prefecture officer also takes your fingerprints to register them in your file.
Deadlines to respect
You must apply for a residence permit within two months of entering France.
In the event that you already hold a residence permit, you must present yourself within the last two months before the expiry of your permit for renewal.
It should be noted that to reduce the waiting time at the Prefecture, the admissions office offers a mandatory online appointment booking service for all categories of users domiciled in the Bas-Rhin.
If you are unable to attend on the chosen date, you must cancel the appointment to possibly request a new one.
How much should I pay?
To obtain a residence permit, costs are to be expected. For this purpose, you can buy the tax stamp on the internet or in a tobacconist.
Regarding the amount, it may vary depending on the type of residence permit.
- Temporary worker - 225 €
- Seasonal worker – 75 €
- Entrepreneur/liberal profession – 225 €
- Job search or business creation – 75 €
- Family reunification, French spouse, parent of a French child, right to respect for private and family life - 225 €
- Talent passport – €225
- Student – 75 €
- Trainee – 75 €
- Retired – 225 €
- Permanent – 225 €.
In addition, you must present the proof of payment when handing over the residence permit.
The outcome of the request
When your residence permit is ready, you will receive a written invitation (by email or by post). When you go to collect your residence permit, you must then present the text or email informing you that your residence permit is available.
When applying for a residence permit or renewal, the prefect issues a receipt. Pending the study of the application, it allows you to stay in France and work.
As a result, the issuance of the residence permit is at the counter of the prefecture or sub-prefecture of the deposit of your application.
If your application for a residence permit or renewal is refused, the prefect notifies you of this refusal by reasoned letter. Consequently, this decision is accompanied by an obligation to leave French territory.
It must be recognized that in the event of no response from the administration within a period of four months, the card application is refused.