To the Editor,
After completing an online application for a carte de séjour renewal through the Anef website (all correct, no queries) I was advised that my request had been approved within four weeks.
I was then instructed to wait until the Charente Prefecture in Angoulême contacted me to collect it.
I followed up with an email to them after two weeks and 8 days after that I was informed I could collect.
My only complaint was that in the second year the instruction was not to apply ‘more than two months’ ahead otherwise the application would be rejected.
I followed the online instructions on the prefecture website to fill in a (linked) form and send/deliver to Angoulême with relevant docs before 10:00 any weekday.
I arrived at 10:00 and was refused an appointment (despite just having driven 50km) as there were 40 people in the waiting area to be seen before 12:00.
I was told to put my envelope in the depository which I did. 23 days later I got it back in the post with instructions to apply online.
I was fined an extra €180 for late submission as the submission period is now ‘not less than’ two months before expiry.
So that I could be sure of arriving at the préfecture by 8:30 I had to drive up the day before and stay in a hotel (I am 78 years old and do not feel safe driving alone in the dark).
On arrival at 8:20 there were already about 35 people waiting for the opening. I queued for half an hour to be given ticket no 18. My turn came at 10:07. I was dealt with by the lady in charge of the section in a friendly, helpful and efficient way.
The biggest irritation is that although I am in every way permanently third year resident in France and a taxpayer, more than adequately financially sound enough to support myself, I am classified as a 'visitor' and will have to go through this tedious and expensive procédure until completing my fifth year - when I will be 81 years old - to qualify for a 10 year visa.
God forbid I should reach 90 years and have to renew again.
Greater efficiency (and state savings) could be achieved with a judicious review of unnecessary controls.
V.C., Charente
