Getting a Residence Permit in France: Complete Guide for 2026

French Residence Permits: The Legal Framework

If you are a non-EU national planning to live in France for more than 90 days, you will need a titre de séjour (residence permit). French immigration law is codified in the CESEDA — the Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (Code on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum). This guide walks you through the main permit categories, application procedures, and your rights if your application is refused.

Types of Residence Permits

1. Visa de Long Séjour Valant Titre de Séjour (VLS-TS)

For many categories of foreign nationals, the initial entry visa itself serves as a residence permit for the first year. The VLS-TS is issued by the French consulate in your home country and must be validated online through the ANEF platform (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France) within 3 months of arrival. Categories eligible for VLS-TS include:

• Salaried workers (salarié)
• Students (étudiant)
• Spouses of French nationals (conjoint de Français)
• Visitors (visiteur) — those who can support themselves without working
• Passeport Talent holders (see below)

2. Carte de Séjour Temporaire (1-Year Permit)

After your VLS-TS expires, or if you are already in France and eligible, you apply for a carte de séjour temporaire. The main categories under CESEDA include:

• Salarié / Travailleur temporaire (Art. L421-1): for employees with a French work contract. Requires a work authorisation from the DREETS (formerly DIRECCTE).
• Étudiant (Art. L422-1): for students enrolled in a French higher education institution. Allows part-time work up to 964 hours per year (approximately 60% of full-time).
• Vie privée et familiale (Art. L423-1 et seq.): for family ties to France — spouse of a French national, parent of a French child, or personal and family connections.
• Visiteur (Art. L426-20): for those who commit to not working and prove sufficient resources.

3. Passeport Talent (Multi-Year Permit)

The Passeport Talent (Art. L421-9 to L421-27 CESEDA) is a multi-year residence permit (up to 4 years) designed for highly skilled workers, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, and investors. Key sub-categories include:

• Highly skilled employee: salary at least 1.8 times the SMIC (minimum wage) — approximately EUR 3,200 gross per month in 2026
• Researcher: with a hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) from a recognised research institution
• Company creator: with an innovative economic project
• EU Blue Card holder: meeting the EU Blue Card Directive requirements (salary threshold and qualifications)
• Investor: direct economic investment in France of at least EUR 300,000

The Passeport Talent is particularly attractive because it covers the holder's family members (spouse and children) under a single application, granting them a Passeport Talent — Famille with the right to work.

4. Carte de Résident (10-Year Permit)

After several years of legal residence (typically 3 to 5 years depending on the category), you may be eligible for a carte de résident — a 10-year renewable residence permit. Conditions include:

• Continuous legal residence in France
• Sufficient and stable resources
• Integration into French society: French language proficiency (at least A2 level for the 10-year card), knowledge of French values (the contrat d'intégration républicaine)
• No threat to public order

The Application Process

Where to Apply

Since 2023, most residence permit applications and renewals are handled online through the ANEF platform (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France). Some categories and préfectures still require in-person appointments, but the trend is towards full digitalisation.

Required Documents

While specific requirements vary by permit category, the standard dossier typically includes:

• Valid passport with the entry visa (if applicable)
• 3 passport-sized photographs (format OFII)
• Proof of address in France (utility bill, rental agreement, or attestation from a host)
• Proof of financial resources (employment contract, bank statements, or sponsor attestation)
• Health insurance (French social security affiliation or private insurance)
• Category-specific documents: work contract and DREETS authorisation (salarié), enrolment certificate (étudiant), marriage certificate and spouse's nationality proof (vie privée et familiale), etc.
• Tax stamps (timbres fiscaux) — typically EUR 225 for a carte de séjour temporaire, EUR 75 for a student permit, EUR 225 for a Passeport Talent

Processing Times

The préfecture should issue a decision within 4 months of receiving a complete application (Art. R431-2 CESEDA). During this period, you receive a récépissé (receipt) that serves as temporary proof of legal residence and, in most cases, authorises you to work. In practice, processing times vary widely — Paris can take 3–6 months, while smaller préfectures may process applications in weeks.

The Récépissé

The récépissé is a critical document. It proves that your application is pending and that your residence is legal while you wait. It is typically valid for 3 to 6 months and can be renewed if the préfecture has not yet issued a decision. Always carry your récépissé — it replaces your titre de séjour until the card is issued.

Renewal: Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

You must apply for renewal 2 to 4 months before your current permit expires (the exact window varies by préfecture and permit type). Late applications can result in gaps in legal residence, which may affect future applications or your eligibility for a long-term permit.

Since the ANEF platform was introduced, renewal applications can typically be submitted online. The system generates an attestation de prolongation that extends your current permit's validity until a decision is made.

What If Your Application Is Refused?

The Refusal Decision

A refusal must be motivated — the préfecture must state the legal and factual reasons for the decision (Art. L211-2 Code des relations entre le public et l'administration). The decision is notified in writing and must indicate the available appeal routes and deadlines.

Administrative Appeal (Recours Gracieux and Recours Hiérarchique)

Before going to court, you can file:

• Recours gracieux: a request to the préfet who made the decision to reconsider. This must be filed within 2 months of notification. The préfet has 2 months to respond — silence means rejection.
• Recours hiérarchique: an appeal to the Minister of the Interior. Same 2-month deadline.

These administrative appeals suspend the deadline for filing a court appeal — you get a fresh 2-month window after the administrative appeal is decided (or deemed rejected by silence).

Court Appeal (Recours pour excès de pouvoir)

You can challenge the refusal before the tribunal administratif (administrative court) within 2 months of notification (or 2 months after the implicit rejection of an administrative appeal). The court reviews whether the préfet correctly applied the law, considered all relevant facts, and respected your fundamental rights.

OQTF: Obligation to Leave French Territory

In some cases, a refusal is accompanied by an OQTF (obligation de quitter le territoire français) — an order to leave France within 30 days (or immediately in urgent cases). You can challenge the OQTF before the tribunal administratif within:

• 30 days for a standard OQTF
• 48 hours for an OQTF without a departure period (the court must rule within 96 hours)

Practical Tips for a Successful Application

• Prepare your dossier thoroughly: incomplete files are the number one cause of delays and refusals. Include certified translations (by a traducteur assermenté) of all foreign-language documents.
• Keep copies of everything: photocopies of all submitted documents and proof of submission (ANEF confirmation, registered mail receipt).
• Respect deadlines strictly: immigration deadlines are strictly enforced. A renewal application filed even one day late can be treated as a new application.
• Learn French: language proficiency is required for long-term permits and naturalisation, and it significantly helps in dealings with the administration.
• Track your application: use the ANEF platform to monitor the status of your application online.
• Seek help if needed: associations like La Cimade, GISTI, or local CDAD (Conseil Départemental de l'Accès au Droit) offer free legal advice on immigration matters.

DroitAI can help you identify the right permit category for your situation, prepare your application checklist, or draft an appeal against a refusal. Describe your immigration situation and our AI assistant will guide you through the applicable CESEDA provisions and procedures.