Visas and residency cards

Is it possible for French border officials to stop stamping passport as it is almost full?

Passports need one blank page on them when travelling

Is there a simple renewal process for six-month French visas?

Second-home owners are required to obtain visas for extended visits to properties in France

Language tests for French residency cards - levels explained with examples of questions asked

Language tests will need to be taken by Britons, Americans and other non-EU nationalities applying for certain cards

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France Visa Free group lobbies UK MPs over 90/180 days rule

The group helped push French authorities for an automatic visa for British second-home owners last year

How many Britons and Americans got their first French visa or residency card in 2024?

Provisional figures for 2024 show around three million were delivered in total to all nationalities

French residency card system 'dysfunctional' says immigration lawyer

'If people need lawyers more and more, it means the procedures are more complex so they can’t do it themselves.'

Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests

‘There will always be some who say the new level is too high, but the current A1 requirement is insufficient to integrate successfully, for example for work. It’s extremely basic.’

New language tests for French residency cards: Eight key questions

The new rules are expected to come into effect this year

Obligatory new French tests for some residency cards: is level too tough?

The tests are reported to cost around €100 to take

Will French citizenship application be affected by studying in UK?

Residency in France is usually required for citizenship applications

Can a French residency card holder buy a second-home in EU and spend time there?

Beware of over-extending your stay in another country

2024 official residency card statistics released: how many Americans and Britons are moving to France?

The number of new residency cards issued has increased overall

Is it possible to apply for French citizenship while living outside France?

Applicants by marriage must speak and write French to a certain level

What is the purpose of the EU’s 90/180 days rule that applies in France?

Regulation has taken on more significance for UK residents since Brexit

No ETA permit needed for Americans and others only transiting in UK

However, the fee for those who do need ETAs is likely to rise

Must French residency permit holders get a traveller’s visa to go through UK airport?

Digital border security systems in the UK will come into force more widely in 2025

French ‘Brexit’ residency cards up for renewal in 2025: is process known yet?

Holders will be able to upgrade to a ten-year version of the card

French officials consider ideas to help second-home owners

An automatic conferral of long-stay rights may pose legal issues

Residency rights and border changes: What's new in France in 2025

Language requirements for residency cards will get tougher, and border security changes are set to be implemented

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

IT problems and digitalisation of French residency cards ‘causing issues’

Some applicants reported to face a ‘serious infringement of rights’ during residency process

Confirmed: EU states EES border changes will not start this year

The potential for long Christmas/New Year queues has been averted

What are the income rules for self-employed people coming to France?

People must show their business is economically viable to be granted a visa

How long can someone remain outside of France before residency permit is invalid?

You must correctly inform authorities if leaving the country

French prefecture rejects Briton's long-stay EU residency card request

European guidelines show the applicant should have received the permit. We look at the rules surrounding the carte de résident de longue-durée - EU card

Briton applies for French residency card and finds he was adopted - and has siblings

‘We look very much alike, with the same personality,’ said 79-year-old after meeting his half-brother

Does 90/180 day rule affect visiting France if I have Spanish residency?

Rules on spending too long in another EU country are in place for everyone

British woman warns of struggle to report lost residency card

The issue was compounded by the difficulty in getting a face-to-face meeting at the prefecture

British teen refused French benefits for having 'wrong type of card'

Delay in receiving her post-Brexit residency card has left teenager unable to access housing and transport benefits during her internship

How young Britons in France can get a residency card at 18

The children of Brexit Withdrawal Agreement card holders need to apply for the right to stay

Will lack of time left on UK passport affect re-entry into France?

EU rules on passport validity requirements are strict

French residency cards: Key terms to know (and understand)

The application process is much easier if you understand the vocabulary

Visa advice: Moving to France with adult children

Readers ask for advice on visas and residency card issues

French 10-year residency cards: The three types and who can apply for them

There are several kinds of carte de résident which give wide-ranging rights to foreign residents

Stricter language rules for French residency cards planned from July

Original timetable for tighter ‘integration’ requirements had them set to be implemented by January 2026

Will EES registration be required in France for EU residency permit holders?

The Entry/Exit System will require visitors to the Schengen Area to give their biometric information at the border

What to do if your French residency card is lost or stolen

If you have lost your carte de séjour, there is a specific procedure to follow

UK updates its official site for Britons living in France about border changes

Information for families highlights key document required for children to travel out of the EU

Can British spouse of French passport holder use EU queue under EES rules?

Close family members can use EU passport queues under certain conditions

Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards: French residency requirement rules

You can lose the right to stay in France if you are away for too long

Which passport lane for travellers with French residency cards or visas under EES?

We also look at whether the rules will be different for Brexit WA card holders after the new digital border changes start

How long does it take to renew a carte de séjour in France?

Readers share their experiences

How can I apply for a visa without finalising home purchase in France?

Short-term rental contracts may be an option

French authorities reject birth certificate as it does not say 'UK' on it

Family were looking to obtain a DCEM, essential for some under-18s travelling to the EU

Can we go over 90-day EU visiting limit for a funeral in France?

Limits on entering Schengen Zone are in place for all visa-free travellers

What are the visa rules for boat owners visiting France?

Non-EU nationals visiting France for more than 90 days will need to apply for a visa

Senator makes new easier visa pledge for second-home owners in France

Amendment easing second-home owner visitation rules was removed from this year's immigration bill by Constitutional Council

Couple use official '90-day' calculator for French trip – but told dates wrong

Border guards gave two different dates deadline for ferry passengers to return to the UK - both of which were different to the calculator's

Can dual UK-Irish citizens spend six months in France and six months in the UK?

Be aware of tax residency and healthcare rights

Brexit residency cards in France: Important to get correct receipt slip

Make sure document mentions the Withdrawal Agreement and is not just a generic version for a ‘first residency card’

How the Defender of Rights can help you in France

Free support for legal problems is available online, by phone, or at in-person meetings

Retiring to France: how to avoid visa pitfalls

Healthcare status and economic status must be correctly declared. We also look at what to do if your application is refused

How can I get proof of address in France if bills are in partner’s name?

A proof of address is required for many administrative tasks

Can residency cards be uploaded to French ID smartphone app?

France Identité app allows the digitisation of certain documents

French Immigration Law 2024: New residency card rules for (some) workers

Employees in sectors facing a labour shortage can now obtain one-year residency permits more easily

Post-Brexit admin is not detering British seasonal workers to France

UK specialists had feared numbers of people wanting to 'work a season' in a ski resort or picking grapes would dwindle

What documents do I need for a visa application to travel to France?

People from the UK, US and 68 other countries outside of the Schengen area need to apply if they want to stay for more than 90 days

UK ambassador to France: what travellers should know about border change

Dame Menna Rawlings discusses a pre-registration app, travel papers for Britons under-18s and passport gates - as well as the Olympics and updates on this special year in UK-France relations

Dual nationals in France: We are a help not a hindrance

Officials respond to far-right’s June proposal to ban citizens with double nationality from holding certain jobs

Hopes rise for simpler French visas and residency after new decree

MPs and senators also seek to bring back ‘automatic visa for British second-home owners’ proposal

Do all visa-holders need to do an interview when entering France?

Many people entering the country are confused by the rules surrounding visas

What happens at an in-person appointment for a French visa?

We also look at how much it will cost and what documents and biometric data are required

Can I extend my 90-day visa-free period in France in an emergency?

Travellers from outside the Schengen area - including people from the US and the UK since Brexit - must adhere to the rules if they want to stay for longer within a 180-day period

Do I need prior French clients to apply for a profession libérale visa?

There are a number of conditions that must be fulfilled when applying

Residency card delays: French authorities pledge to reform system

The slow process for people living in France to apply a residency card could be cut after French authorities have promised to reform the system

Visa-free travel to France: EU agency warns over fake Etias websites

Over 100 unofficial sites have been uncovered - and many peddle misinformation, steal travellers’ data or charge extortionate fees

How to apply online for a French residency card

You can submit applications for some cartes de séjour - including for renewals - via the official website, but Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards still require a visit to the prefecture

Can I stay in France via the 90/180 day rule if visa has expired?

Some nationalities require a visa to re-enter France even as a tourist

What are the various kinds of French residency cards?

People from the US and other countries outside the Schengen area - including Britons post-Brexit - can live, work and study in France but need to apply for a carte de séjour

What is the difference between a French carte de séjour and a titre de séjour?

The terms are often used interchangeably, we explain why

Will new biometric controls require proof of funds for France visit?

Visitors to the EU will be required to answer questions about travel plans within the bloc

Letters: French visa application complicated by inferior software

Connexion reader says applicants must pay more for insurance due to limitations of embassy computer

French residency permit delays at prefecture: what can you do?

Delays are causing stress and worry for many foreigners in France

7,372 short-stay French visas refused by London consulate in 2023

The UK is seventh-highest country for Schengen visa applications for France… and has one of the best acceptance rates. We look at possible reasons for refusal

Biometric border checks: what questions will be asked to enter France?

Queries can already be made by border guards, but digitalisation of border makes it more likely