Residence permit in France: grounds, procedure, general information

Advantages of France for life

What are the advantages of France for life?

1. Good ecology; The French are very careful about the environment, and therefore good ecology and high quality products are ensured at a decent level.
2. High quality of life; The standard of living in France is rightfully considered high. One of the largest European countries takes great care to ensure that all the needs of society are met as much as possible.
3. Developed economy; France has the second largest economy in the European Union. As a highly developed country, France plays a key role on the world stage.
4. High salaries; One of the important components of a high standard of living of the population and a developed economy is the minimum wage in France. Today it is 1,539 euros per month before taxes (this is approximately 126,000 rubles at the exchange rate at the time of writing). After tax and other deductions, approximately 1,300 euros remain on hand (this is approximately 106,000 rubles at the exchange rate at the time of writing). Moreover, the average salary in France is over 3,000 euros.
5. Entering the European market; France is the largest country in the European Union, which provides access to the European market and all the benefits that come with it.
6. Quality education. In France, there is a decent level of education both in schools and universities, although it differs from what we are used to. Many who move to France note that the requirements in French primary and secondary schools are lower than in the CIS countries. We can say that this is true, but the result exceeds all expectations, and in a comfortable environment for the student.

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.

What should you consider when considering a residence permit in France?

Along with the advantages, there are also features of life in France that need to be taken into account:

• High prices; France has a high standard of living and high salaries, but also high prices. For example, living in the capital of France - Paris - costs an average of 800-1000 euros.
• Taxes. Taxation in France is something that often mars the pretty picture because the tax rates are significant. Thus, the personal income tax rate in France varies from 0% to 45% depending on the amount of profit, since France has a progressive taxation scale.

There are undoubtedly more advantages to living in France, so GFLO Consultancy is pleased to offer you the service of obtaining a residence permit in France, both with a Visiteur card and for other reasons.

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.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in France

According to the current migration legislation in France, an applicant for a residence permit in France must choose the appropriate basis. The following reasons can be identified for obtaining a residence permit in France:

• The basis is financial independence (“Visiteur”)

A residence permit for the financially independent or a “Visiteur” visa is a common choice for applicants for a French residence permit who have not yet decided to create a company in France. The visa gives the right to permanent residence in France, but does not give the right to do business or work in France.

"Visiteur" is suitable for those who do not have their own business in France, but have sufficient financial resources to ensure an adequate standard of living in France.

Conditions for obtaining "Visiteur":

• Availability of real estate in ownership or long-term lease;
• Availability of financial resources to live in France;
• Medical insurance for permanent residents in France.

The "Visiteur" visa is issued for a period of 1 year with the right of subsequent extension.

• Founded - business in France

A residence permit in France for entrepreneurs is suitable both for individuals with an existing business in France and for aspiring entrepreneurs who are opening a company in France. Gives the right to permanently reside in France and carry out business activities in any form, including working in your own company.

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit for entrepreneurs:

• For business owners in France: Annual profit of the company in France and the success of the project;
• When conducting licensed activities, availability of the appropriate license and permits.

• Reason - work in France

Employees who work in France on the basis of either an open-ended or a fixed-term employment contract, as well as seconded workers, are entitled to obtain a residence permit in France.

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit for workers:

• Availability of work in a French company (provide an employment contract);
• Availability of sufficient salary to cover expenses.

• Reason: study

Foreign students and trainees also have the right to apply for a residence permit in France.

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit for students:

• Confirmation of admission to a university in France or confirmation of acceptance for an internship in a French company;
• Availability of sufficient funds to live in France (the size of the scholarship, the provision of housing for the student/intern in France, and other factors are assessed).

• Reason: family reunification

If a person has a spouse who is a French citizen or has a minor child who is a French citizen, such person has the right to apply for a residence permit in France.

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit upon family reunification:

• Availability of sufficient funds to live in France;
• No criminal record of both the applicant and his relatives;
• Availability of residential real estate;
• The relative to whom the applicant is moving must be a resident of France, that is, either have a residence permit/permanent residence permit or citizenship. If a relative has, for example, a visa for scientists and researchers, on the basis of which he is in France, it will not be possible to obtain a residence permit on the basis of family reunification.

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.

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in France

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in France has its own characteristics depending on the chosen basis. Below we will discuss in detail the procedure for the 2 most popular reasons for obtaining a French residence permit - for financially independent people (Visiteur) and for entrepreneurs. You can find out the detailed procedure for other reasons from our specialists.

The procedure for obtaining and extending a residence permit in France for financially independent people (Visiteur):

1. Renting or purchasing real estate in France;
2. Collection and preparation of all necessary documents, filling out forms;
3. Submitting documents for a visa to the nearest France visa center;
4. Obtaining a visa, entering France;
5. Visa activation (online), fee payment;
6. Passing a mandatory medical examination;
7. Submitting a dossier for exchanging a driver’s license (if necessary);
8. Opening a bank account in France;
9. Submitting a dossier to receive a carte vitale (compulsory health insurance card);
10. Submitting a dossier for renewal of residence permit. On the 10th month of validity of the visa in the prefecture at the place of residence;
11. Obtaining a carte de séjour (residence permit) for the 2nd year.

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in France for entrepreneurs:

1. Preparation of a dossier for obtaining a D visa at the French consulate (or titre de séjour at the prefecture at the place of residence in France - for those who already have another residence permit in France);
2. Submitting a visa dossier through a French visa center or to the prefecture at your place of residence in France;
3. In case of a positive decision, a D visa is issued valid for 90 days to enter France and subsequently request a titre de séjour, or for those who submitted documents to the prefecture in France, a titre de séjour is immediately issued;
4. Those who applied through the consulate and received a D visa must enter France during the validity period of the visa and request a titre de séjour at the prefecture of their place of residence, for which they will need to first decide on the issue of an address in France (purchase or rental of real estate, living with acquaintances or friends).

How Europe-house specialists can help

1. They will find, check and help you choose real estate to buy or rent.

1. They will register in France to open a bank account.

1. They will solve the problem of knowledge of the French language in several ways.

1. They will write a proper motivation letter.

1. Documents will be translated into French.

1. They will submit documents to obtain or extend a residence permit.

We DO NOT take a commission from real estate buyers and provide services at the best prices. Contact us to find out more about registering a residence permit in France and other European countries.

Algorithm of actions for acquiring a residence permit

A residence permit is issued on the territory of France, but to enter the country you must obtain a visa from the French consulate located in Russia. You must have a passport valid for at least three months and a letter of motivation explaining the reason for traveling to this country.

Arriving in France, a foreigner registers at the migration office closest to his place of stay. 1-2 months before the expiration of the visa on which the citizen entered the country, you should visit the office again to submit documents for a residence permit.

List of required documents

This list includes:

• completed OFII questionnaire;
• foreign and general passports;
• color photographs 3.5 by 4.5 cm - 3 pcs.;
• health insurance worth €30,000 or more;
• financial document confirming payment of the state duty;
• a bank statement or other documents showing that the applicant has at least 1480 € for 1 month of stay in the country;
• a lease agreement, a certificate of real estate ownership or other document confirming the availability of a place to live in the country.

Depending on the reasons for staying in France, other documents may be required, for example, an employment contract.

Cost and processing time

Registration cost:

• fee for applying for a visa (without it it is impossible to enter the country) - 35−60 €, plus service fee - 21 €;
• payment to the country's migration service is 50 € for students, 99 € for other applicants.

Rates may vary from these depending on the reason for the move.

The processing time for documents depends on the reasons for the applicant’s move and the workload of migration services employees. Some people can get a residence permit in 1 month, and others in 3.

Extension of residence permit in France

The document is extended if there is a reason - the same as that stated during the initial application. It is necessary to prepare photographs, a passport and a financial document confirming payment of the state fee.

Documents must be submitted 30 days before the expiration date of the residence permit.

Why might there be a refusal?

There may be several reasons for refusal:

• violation of the rules of stay in the country for foreigners;
• insufficient income for living;
• inaccurate data used as a basis for acquiring a residence permit;
• errors in submitted documents;
• false information provided by the applicant about himself.

Possible reasons for cancellation

Reasons for cancellation:

• failure to comply with French laws;
• the opening of a criminal case in the migrant’s homeland or the receipt of a request for his extradition;
• committing criminal acts on the territory of EU countries.

Standard of living in modern France

The French Republic is an excellent country for long-term and permanent residence. France is politically and economically stable.

According to 2021 estimates, the population of France was 66 million 990 thousand people. Each French person contributes more than $40,300 to gross domestic product. According to the Human Development Index, France is in 21st place in the world.

In 2021, the minimum gross salary in France is 1,498 euros. The average salary reaches 2905 euros. It is believed that during the year, an employee who works at least 35 hours a week (this length of the working week is established at the official level) cannot have an income below 17,980 euros. From your gross salary you should deduct income tax, the rate of which is progressive (the more you earn, the more you pay). The minimum tax-free amount of annual income will be 9,810 euros; the rest will have to be paid from 12 to 45 percent to the state budget. This information will help a potential immigrant navigate the economic situation in France and assess the standard of living in the country. Let us only add that France cannot be considered a place where you can live on 100 euros a week. Life in France is very expensive, its cost can be compared with life in Belgium, Germany or Denmark.

Obtaining a residence permit in France will provide the immigrant with all the benefits of being a resident of an EU member state. He can freely cross the borders of countries included in this interstate formation, conduct financial activities, acquire real estate, register and conduct his own business not only in France, but also in other EU states, and so on.

The holder of a residence permit in France has the right to stay in this country on a permanent basis for the period for which the status was obtained. But this is his right, not his duty. In addition, a residence permit entitles you to most social benefits provided for French citizens. The holder of a residence permit can apply to the French state for social subsidies, register as unemployed and receive appropriate unemployment payments (75% of wages, regardless of work experience), and teach their children in schools and colleges for free. In certain cases, the French state fully or partially pays for higher education. There is also the opportunity to study for free at government French language courses and receive free medical care. A temporary resident of the country has no right to participate in elections.

Low-income citizens and immigrants receive a huge number of social privileges: free healthcare, medicines, French courses, museums, gyms, kindergartens and much more. It is almost impossible to fire a Frenchman, and if he still remains unemployed (even at his own request!), he can count on 75% of his previous salary every month.

ANNAJONDOT

Living in France: the pros and cons of moving

The residence permit stipulates that its holder complies with French immigration laws and does not violate other laws. A temporary resident must respect the Constitution of the country, not take part in anti-French activities, and try to integrate into society as much as possible.

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world

The disadvantages of obtaining a residence permit and living in France include the following:

• The French immigration system is very bureaucratic; to obtain a residence permit you will need to go through a difficult procedure involving paperwork;
• the cost of living in France is one of the highest in all of Europe;
• Today there are a lot of legal and illegal migrants in the Republic, most of whom come from African and Middle Eastern countries;
• the crime situation in the big cities of France, which are overcrowded with illegal migrants, cannot be called prosperous;
• renting a home in France will cost a considerable amount, and even native French people often cannot afford to buy it;
• valid reasons will be required to renew your residence permit. If this is not the reason why the status was originally issued, then the extension will most likely be refused.