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A guide to residency in France for QUICK SEARCH
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Moving to France is a goal for many Americans, with the
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weather, food and culture being super tempting to
adventurous types. How does moving to France work for
US citizens?

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In buying property you are generally subject to the same lending criteria as
EU citizens, particularly if you apply through a mortgage broker with
international client experience, such as the FrenchEntrée mortgage
advisers. The same documents will be required for mortgage application
(proof of income, passport, etc.). You are also subject to the same taxes and
fees (i.e. notaire fees, property and occupancy tax, and potentially capital
gains tax).

Temporary residency:
For visits of fewer than 90 days, North American citizens need only a
passport. If you are looking to stay longer, then you will need to apply for a
visa de séjour temporaire (a temporary residency visa) from your nearest
French consulate. This will have to be done prior to your visit since the
French authorities do not allow you to change your mind once in France. The best way to make payments
The application process can take up to 2 months, so allow longer to obtain
moneycorp help people save
your visa. money when buying or
maintaining their property in
If you would like to reside in France for up to 6 months, you will need to France.
apply for a visa de long séjour (a permanent residency visa) from your
nearest French consulate. At your French consulate you will talk to the Vice
Consul.

Although it depends on your particular embassy, the documents usually

required for the application are:

Passport with copies of the main pages.

Four passport photos of each family member.
Birth certificate, with an official translation if requested, notarised
by a French lawyer.
Marriage certificate/divorce papers/custody papers.
If you live with a common law partner you will require a document
from the town hall stating this.
Proof of residence.
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Proof of medical insurance.
Proof of sufficient financial resources for the applicant and their > Bi-lingual advice and cover
for all insurance requirements
dependent family members in France.These documents need to be
including Health, Car,
translated by a translator or yourself with certification from a Property, Marine and
consulate member. The Vice Consul will require information about Commercial. We can be your partner for all your
requirements in France from the smaller risks through
who you will be staying with and a confirmation fax or email from
to high-end risks from a wide range of insurance
them. They will also need to see a copy of their carte de résident. If companies. Get a free no-obligation quote.
you are staying in a hotel the Vice Consul will require confirmation of
the hotel / holiday let reservation.The application process for the
visa de long séjour takes 6-8 weeks. It costs aroun $150.
If you would like to reside in France for more than 6 months, you
must, on arrival, book an appointment to apply for the carte de séjour.
Where each department accepts applications differs; it may be at
the préfecture, the sous-préfecture, the local mairie or the police
station of the place of residence. Contact the departmental
préfecture or the local mairie for information on where to apply.

You will be asked why you wish to live in France, i.e. work, study or
retirement. Depending on your situation a different visa will be
needed. For example, if you are working in France, you will be
applying for a visa travail, whereas if you are retired you will be
applying for a visa retiree.

The same documents as required for the visa de long séjour are
needed, plus you’ll also need to undergo a medical examination
(arranged by the préfecture), use an official translator for the
documents, and pay a fee for your carte de séjour application. Once
this has been done, you will be contacted by the préfecture when
your cartes are ready for collection. On collection, you are required
to disclose your medical examination results, stamped tax forms,
and sign some documents. You will then be given your cartes, valid
for one year.

Non EU-national family members:

If the main applicant’s visa application is accepted, their spouse and

children under 21 years are granted the same rights to live and work
in the country. All family members require a carte de séjour; the
application process is the same as above. The permit is valid for up
to five years. It is issued at no further cost.

Carte de séjour renewal:

You will need to renew your carte de séjour after one year. Similar
documents are required to do this as for the original application. You
may also need to supply proof of funds. If so, you will be asked for
copies of certain documents such as payslips and bank statements.
You may also be asked to provide proof of health cover and social
security contributions.

Permanent residency:

A permanent residence permit (carte de résident) allows you to live

permanently in France. Permits are valid for ten years and
renewable. This permit is granted according to your personal
circumstances (For example, this permit would be granted to an
applicant who has been living in France for the last 5 years with a
long-term visa and can prove that they intend to stay in France for
many years – perhaps because they have bought a property and/or
their children attend French school, etc.) and providing you can
prove that you’re financially self-sufficient (with previous tax
payments and a current employment contract). You can also obtain
this permit if you are the spouse of a French national.

Contact the departmental préfecture or local mairie for information

on where to apply. You will be required to provide the following (this
is subject to variation depending on your situation):

Birth certificate and official French translation

Spouse’s birth certificate and official French translation
Marriage certificate and official French translation
Proof of residency in France
List of previous places of residence
List of former employers
Names of all siblings
Names of all children
Photos
Two copies of the completed application
The récépissé de demande de carte de séjour (RCS) authorises
residence in France while an application for an official residence
permit is being processed. It is valid for at least one month, is
renewable, and can allow you to get a temporary work permit
(APT).French citizenship can be obtained after living in France for 5
years provided the applicant has been living in France with a
resident status such as a carte de résident.

EU Nationals

If you are an EU national you are entitled to live and work in France
without a visa.

•With thanks to Indra Balassoupramaniane, French Avocat

*Prices are sourced from the French Embassy in Washington and were
correct at time of writing.

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