A French residence permit allows you to live in the country in accordance with the purpose of your visit. In French, this permit is called “titre de séjour” or “Permis de Séjour”. The residence permit card is referred to as “Carte de Séjour”.
Long-Stay Visa and Residence Permit
To stay in France for more than 90 days, you need to obtain a long-stay visa (Visa Long Séjour – VSL). Upon arrival in France, in addition to the visa, you must request an OFII certificate (demande d’attestation OFII) for approval. OFII stands for Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration, which means French Office for Immigration and Integration.
There are two types of visas in France: short-stay visas and long-stay visas. Regardless of your nationality, if your visit exceeds 90 days, you must obtain the appropriate long-stay visa.
Categories of Long-Stay Visas
- Long stay for tourism or personal reasons
- Engaging in professional activities
- Continuing education
- Joining family members (Family reunification visa)
When you arrive in France with a long-stay visa, you will be required to present certain documents. These documents include:
- A passport issued within the last ten years, valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date.
- A valid visa.
- Proof of accommodation covering the entire stay.
- Sufficient financial resources.
- A return ticket or sufficient financial resources to purchase a return ticket on the planned return date.
- Detailed information about your profession and the purpose of your visit if you are on a professional trip.
- Documents about the institutions or organizations expecting you.
- Insurance covering your stay in France.
Applying for a Residence Permit
Applying for a Residence Permit
Upon arrival in France, you must comply with administrative requirements to convert your long-stay visa into a residence permit. These formalities allow you to benefit from the services and ancillary rights offered by the French government. The type of residence permit varies according to your visa type.
If your long-stay visa indicates the obligation to apply for a residence permit, you must complete this process within two months of your arrival. You need to contact and visit the local police headquarters or prefecture (Préfecture). It is advisable to check which documents are required before your visit. Some police headquarters require you to book an appointment online.
On the day of your appointment, be prepared to present the original copies of your documents during the face-to-face interview. As someone who was born and educated in France and works as a Lawyer in the field of Foreigners Law, I am ready to provide you with the necessary information regarding how to obtain a residence permit in France and the required documents.
It is beneficial to consult a lawyer to navigate this process smoothly. Feel free to contact me.
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