A residence permit in France (titre de séjour) is a document that allows a foreigner to stay legally in the country for longer than 90 days. The legislation of the French Republic provides for several different types of residence permits, which are granted to applicants depending on the grounds for stay. Applicants who have applied to the prefecture and meet the legal requirements can obtain a permit in 2025, and the document itself may include a work permit.

The French residence permit is issued for a certain period of time, which depends on the reason for immigration, and can be renewed. The presence of this document gives you a legal basis to live in the republic long enough to acquire the right to citizenship. Having received a residence permit of France, you can freely move around the territory of the Schengen zone and the European Union without obtaining visas. To learn more about the process of obtaining a French residence permit, as well as the advantages and prospects that it provides, you can read further in the article.

Advantages of obtaining a residence permit in France

A residence permit in France gives a foreigner the right to live in a state with a developed economy and a high level of security, as well as a number of important advantages:

• permission to travel to more than 160 countries without obtaining visas;
• the possibility to buy real estate in France without obtaining permits;
• access to French and European health care services, as well as health insurance in the EU;
• official employment, opening and running a business in the Republic without additional conditions;
• opportunity to obtain loans and participate in state programs to support entrepreneurship;
• access to social security, including payments to pensioners, the unemployed and vulnerable categories of the population;
• education in prestigious universities of the French Republic and the EU, in some cases on a preferential/free basis;
• the right to reunite with family;
• the prospect of acquiring French citizenship.

The main ways of obtaining a French residence permit

Since a residence permit is required for a long-term stay in France, before arriving, it is necessary to select the grounds for its issuance. The legislation provides a large number of reasons for which foreign citizens have the right to obtain a French residence permit, but it is important to remember that not all types of permits are renewable and give the opportunity to later apply for permanent residence and citizenship. Therefore, those who plan to obtain a French passport in the future, should apply for an immigration residence permit.

Employment

The French residence permit is granted to foreign nationals who have concluded an employment contract with a local employer. An important condition is an issued work permit and a long-term visa issued for one year with an option to extend it. If the applicant remains employed for 12 months or more, he/she is entitled to a residence permit valid for 4 years. In case of job loss, the applicant can receive compensation from France Travail, as well as issue a temporary residence card for a year to find a new vacancy.

Education

International students and participants of international educational programs of the European Union can apply for a residence permit in France on study for the period of the course. The main requirement is proof of enrollment in a university. Students receive a residence card for one year with the option of extension, and participants of EU educational programs are granted a residence permit, which is valid from one to two years with the possibility of prolongation.

Entrepreneurial activity or freelance

Foreign applicants whose purpose of coming to France is to run a business or work as a freelancer are entitled to an annual renewable residence permit. Among the requirements for such applicants are the demonstration of economic profitability of the business and the generation of sufficient income to reside in the Republic. Commercial activity must be the main job and correspond to the professional qualifications and experience of the applicant.

Pension

A pensioner’s residence permit includes the right to enter France and stay for up to a year without a visa. The residence permit does not include authorization to work or relocation with family (except for spouses). The main condition for applicants is that they receive a retirement pension from the French social security system. In addition, it is necessary that the applicant has previously lived in France in the status of a resident, but at the time of obtaining a residence permit had the status of a foreigner. The Pensioner Card is granted to applicants for a 10-year renewable period.

Private and family life

A residence permit is granted to foreign applicants who are family members of French citizens or residents. To apply for the card, documentary evidence of family ties must be provided. The document grants the right of residence and employment, and is issued for 2-4 years, depending on the personal situation.

Financial independence

Residence permit for financially independent foreign nationals who have a reason to stay in France for longer than three months. An important requirement is proof of funds in the amount of 17,115.69 EUR for a year or receipt of financial assistance from a third party/guarantor. The card does not include an employment authorization and is granted for a one-year renewable period.

Overseas business trip

Employees of foreign companies coming to France on a business trip can usually stay in France on a long-term visa (VLS-TS) for one year. If the trip is planned for a longer period, the employee can apply for a temporary residence permit, provided that he or she holds a managerial position or provides expert advice. An important requirement is the existence of an employment contract with a company abroad, as well as at least 6 months of employment with the company. The residence permit card is issued for the duration of the work tasks, but its validity cannot exceed 3 years.

Talent Passport

Foreign nationals entering France for employment for a period of more than three months can, under certain conditions, obtain a multi-year residence permit under the “Talent Passport” program. This permit is issued to highly qualified specialists, employees of innovative companies, scientific researchers, as well as for investments. The validity of the card depends on the basis for its issuance, but does not exceed 4 years.

Other circumstances

A residence card may be granted to applicants who have served in the Foreign Legion, are in France under international protection or have family ties in the Republic. The residence card contains a work permit and is valid for 10 years. The residence card can be renewed or replaced by a permanent resident card.

Most foreign citizens who wish to change their country of residence to France have the opportunity to do so under a simplified procedure in a short period of time. There is no need to obtain a residence permit, and the whole process of obtaining citizenship takes up to a year. You can get detailed information about it at a free consultation with the lawyers of the Relocation Compass company.

Procedure for obtaining a residence permit in France

1. Obtaining a visa.
   To obtain a permit to enter the country, you should apply to a French diplomatic mission or fill out an application through the France-Visas service. The application must be accompanied by a package of documents confirming the existence of grounds for travel.
2. Preparing a package of documents for residence permit.
   Upon arrival in the country, you should collect a dossier that will contain proof of the purpose of your trip, a health insurance policy and a certificate of residence registration in the country. You should also have a bank statement showing that you have enough money to support yourself or a certificate of income.
3. Submitting an application for a residence permit.
   To complete the application for a residence permit card, you must visit the prefecture of your place of residence. The application must be accompanied by a prepared set of documents and an administrative fee. The processing time is individual and it may take from several weeks to several months to receive a response.
4. Obtaining a residence permit.
   The residence permit is issued in the prefecture where the application was originally filled out. The permit takes the form of a plastic card and is a form of identification. An immigration-type residence permit can be renewed by re-submitting the application and documents package.

Requirements and conditions for obtaining a residence permit

To obtain a residence permit in France, it is important to have a good reason for a long stay in the state, as well as to meet a number of conditions:

• vailability of a long-term visa or other document confirming the legality of stay in the country;
• provision of a health insurance policy covering the entire period of stay in the country;
• proof of registration of residence in the state;
• availability of sufficient funds for self-sufficiency;
• absence of criminal record;
• signing a commitment to comply with the principles of the Republic of France.

The personalized package of documents that you submit to the prefecture together with your application for a residence permit includes:

• passport;
• 3 photos of the applicant in the format of 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
• valid long-term visa;
• evidence of civil status;
• documentary proof of housing in the country;
• a certificate issued by the French Office of Migration and Integration (OFII);
• proof of means to support yourself and your family (if applicable);
• a receipt for the payment of an administrative fee.

You should also provide a work permit and a certificate from your employer, a certificate of enrollment in a university or other proof of the basis for obtaining a residence permit. Immigration officers may ask to supplement the package of documents during the consideration of the application.

Terms and cost of residence permit issuance

The cost of issuing a French residence permit card includes stamp duty in the amount of 25 EUR and a fee of 200 EUR. For foreigners who enter the territory of the country without a visa, the cost of residence permit is significantly higher, because such applicants should additionally pay 180 EUR, which includes the cost of filing an application – 50 EUR, non-refundable in case of refusal.

Participants of volunteer missions are exempted from paying the fee, and applicants for a pensioner residence permit card pay only the stamp duty. The terms of consideration of applications are individual, but, as a rule, do not exceed 2 months. There is no accelerated procedure.

Renewal and transition to permanent residence and citizenship

The French residence permit is granted for different periods of time depending on the reasons for obtaining it, but it is mainly issued for one year and can be renewed multiple times if the reasons remain valid. Applicants may also be granted a multi-year residence permit with a validity period of 2-4 years and the right to renew.

In order to continue your residence permit in France, you should visit the prefecture to fill in the relevant application form and submit a set of documents. It is important to prove that you have grounds for continued residence, housing and funds. To issue or renew a residence permit, it is recommended to apply to the prefecture not earlier than 4 months before the expiration of the current document or visa, but not later than 2 months.

The applicant has the right to apply for a multi-year residence permit in France after one year of residence in the country with a temporary immigration type permit. Such categories include applicants with residence permits for employment, entrepreneurship and family reunification. The multi-year residence permit is valid for 4 years and can be renewed. Applicants must meet several requirements:

• fulfill the conditions of the temporary residence permit card;
• integrate into society by demonstrating participation in the life of the community;
• comply with the principles of the French Republic in accordance with the signed contract of commitment;
• be law-abiding, have no criminal record and do not pose a threat to public order.

After five years of residence in France with a valid residence permit, foreign applicants are entitled to apply for citizenship of the Republic through the naturalization procedure. Applicants are subject to the requirements of assimilation into society, B1 level proficiency in the national language, registered residence in the country and official employment. When acquiring the status of a French citizen you will have to pay a tax in the amount of 55 EUR.

When applying for citizenship of the Republic, you need to prepare a package of documents, have them translated by a certified specialist and notarized. You can submit your application in person at the prefecture or online using the service-public.fr. Information on the status of the application and its processing will be sent to the applicant’s e-mail address.

The next step is to attend an interview to confirm your integration into society, where you must bring the originals of all the documents you have previously submitted. At the end of the interview, it is necessary to sign the Charter of Rights and Obligations of a French citizen, after which the Decree of Naturalization will be sent to your e-mail, which will be needed for further registration of internal documents.

Possible difficulties and reasons for refusal

The process of issuing residence permits for immigrants in France is regulated by the Code on the Entry and Stay of Aliens and the Right of Asylum. According to its provisions, a refusal to grant a residence permit will be received if the applicant:

• does not meet the requirements of immigration law;
• provided false information about himself or herself or false documents;
• has committed acts that violate the law and are punishable under the Criminal Code;
• has not fulfilled the conditions for entry into the country set by the administrative authority;
• has been employed or engaged in business without proper authorization;
• exceeded the authorized employment time limit of 60% of the working day (for student card holders);
• hired employees without the relevant authorization, arriving in the country under the entrepreneur’s residence permit;
• did not provide documentary evidence of the grounds for issuance of a residence permit card, registration of residence or financial independence.

In order to prevent a possible refusal to issue a residence permit, it is necessary to carefully study the nuances of the legislation and strictly follow its provisions. It is of great importance to properly collect a dossier and provide the most comprehensive information about yourself and your goals of staying in the country. You can simplify the process of preparation for obtaining a residence permit by obtaining assistance in registration from the Relocation Compass migration lawyers, who will offer you available ways to legally move to the country and collect a full package of documents.

If a residence permit card is refused, the applicant has the right to challenge it by filing an appeal directly with the prefect of the place of residence. Appeals can also be lodged with the Ministry of the Interior. Appeals against refusals are made free of charge by registered letter with confirmation of receipt.

Options for fast registration of residency in France

The process of legal residence in the Republic of France requires compliance with rather strict legal conditions, so immigrants are looking for alternative ways to stay in the country legally. It is important to know that citizens of any EU state can live in the Republic, get employment or conduct business activities on equal rights with locals.

In such countries of the European Union as Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania it is easiest to obtain citizenship, because they have simplified immigration programs. They are available to most foreign nationals and allow them to obtain a second passport in up to 14 months. The list of requirements for applicants is significantly reduced, and the most important step in the citizenship process is a competent legal analysis for the right to use the method of simplified immigration.

To learn more about the available options for legal move to the Republic, you can sign up for a free consultation with the specialists of the Relocation Compass company. Experienced lawyers will select the optimal program that will help you obtain an EU passport, taking into account your individual situation.