France - Apply for Residence Card/Permit(OFII)

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Procedure

Once an application has been made, the applicant will be given a temporary receipt (rcpiss). This is valid for three months and can be renewable. It permits stay in France while the application is being processed. Notification is be sent by post; if successful, take the notification and the rcpiss to the governmental office specified (Prfecture or sous-prfecture) in exchange for the plastic laminated Carte de Sjour.

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Required Documents

It is recommended to take the documents, in original form, with two photocopies of each item.

• Valid passport
• Valid long stay visa (which is in the passport)
• Proof of family situation (birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of dependent children)
• Proof of permanent address in France (EDF electricity bill or the house deed of sale (acte de vente) for a house bought in France or a signed lease agreement for the French address)
• Three recent identity photographs (there are photo booths in most shopping centres and Prfectures)

Office Locations & Contacts

French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII)
Mentions lgales
Sige : OFII, 44 rue Bargue
75732 Paris Cedex 15
Tl : 01 53 69 53 70
Fax: 01 53 69 53 69

French Embassy Websites

Prfecture de Police has a number of contact points, which are spread all over the capital and the inner suburbs.

Eligibility

Once in France, foreigners over 18 years of age who hold a valid visa may apply for residency. Application should be made two months before the expiry of the visa at the local Prfecture, Sous-Prfecture (or the Prfecture de Police if in Paris). The application should be made in person.

Fees

There is a fee payable for the application; the price depends on the type of permit being applied for.

Validity

The period of validity will depend on various factors concerning employment and study arrangements or family status.

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

In some dpartements, the Prefect may decide that applications for residence permits are submitted to the police or the town hall in the place of residence, and that certain categories of applications may be sent by post. Locally relevant information is available from the Prfecture.

Required Information

• Your visa number,
• Your date of entry in France or the Schengen area,
• And your address in France.

Need for the Document

Since June 2009, long stay visa holders are allowed to reside in France for up to 12 months according to the validity of their visa and purpose of stay. They are no longuer required to obtain a residence permit ("carte de sjour") from the French local authorities ("Prfecture") as long as their visa is valid. However, long stay visa holders who intend on staying in France for more than six months have to register to the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) during the first three months of their stay in France.

Information which might help

Additional documents specific to an application:

Requirements vary depending on the particular situation of the applicant. Initial advice can be sought from the French Embassy in the home country. Information will also be available from the Prfecture or OFII.

Documents required will include:

• Worker: job contract issued by the employer
• Visitor: ID and a declaration (attestation) signed by a host person/family member; proof of financial resources or pension provision; proof of health insurance

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Information from the French Government (in French)

http://muchadoaboutparis.com/getting-carte-de-sejour-residence-permit/

http://ielanguages.com/cds.html

http://www.service-public.fr/langue/english/

http://www.prefecturedepolice.interieur.gouv.fr/English

http://www.ofii.fr

Others

Note:

• Details of parents, and mother's maiden name may be requested; have the information ready
• Translations of birth and marriage certificates not in French may be required
• Two stamped, self-addressed envelopes are sometimes, but not always, required
• Any certificates not in French should be translated by an official, court-certified translator (contact information available from Prfectures, Consulates and police stations)