Three charged with taking bribes to provide false French tests for residency cards
The charges relate to the test de connaissance du français. It is thought that more than 250 applicants could be involved in a region of west France
Angers investigators say they have identified “a very active network” that seemed to be giving certain foreigners easier access to the French language exams
Ppictures / Shutterstock
Three people working at an organisation that runs the language tests used to support applications for French residency cards in part of western France have been charged with taking bribes.
The individuals - who have not been publicly named - have been identified as a 49-year-old woman, her 50 year-old partner and a 75-year-old teacher at the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers des Pays de la Loire.
The woman, who is believed to have been the ringleader, was placed in provisional detention in early December awaiting trial.
The arrests follow an investigation by Angers police from April 2024.
Officers identified “a very active network that seemed to be giving certain foreigners easier access to the TCF exams”, said Angers procurer Eric Bouillard in a statement.
In July, Mr Bouillard’s office opened a case for active and passive corruption of a person entrusted with a public service mission, organised fraud, organised money laundering, tax fraud, and unlawfully aiding the entry or residence of a foreigner.
In early December, investigators found €10,000 in cash and €200,000 in investments in the names of the three individuals, which they suspect is related to the offences.
“The investigation is continuing to identify anyone who may have been involved in these offences. It will also focus on identifying those who may have passed the French language tests, of which there are estimated to be more than 250”, he said.
French language tests
Applicants for certain residency cards or for French citizenship through naturalisation are required to undergo a test de connaissance du français (TCF) language test at an accredited testing centre.
These tests must prove that the applicant speaks French to a certain level.
At present, these levels are A2 for certain residency cards and B1 for French citizenship through naturalisation.
Read more: A1, C2: What is the CEFR language rating in France?
These language requirements are set to become more stringent in 2025.
The language requirements for French citizenship through naturalisation require applicants to prove that they speak French to a B1 level (this is set to rise to B2 by 2026).
