Visas and residency cards

How far in advance should we apply for visa to visit second-home?

Visa applications are often made through third parties

How long does récépissé for Brexit card renewal last?

Holders of five-year cards are now renewing document

Brexit cards give Britons in France similar - but not identical - rights to EU citizens

The WA residency card aimed at allowing Britons to continue living in France as they did before 2020 - with some exceptions

practical

I have overstayed the 90 day rule in France - what will happen?

Rules limit how long travellers can remain in EU without requiring a visa

Residency changes in France: more Americans, card fees set to rise and test centre update

Among those renewing residency cards, Britons stood out with a 38% increase in renewals in 2025

A mayor backs British woman ordered to leave France over low income

Briton ordered to leave the country after her small business failed to generate enough income in its first year

Hope for Britons visiting France as MPs call for more flexibility on 90/180 days rule

There are calls for issue to be raised at the next UK-EU annual summit in May

40,000 residency card renewals proceed smoothly in the main

There is a standardised process for prefectures to use but not all are doing so

90/180 days rule: readers tell of impacts on health and on family and working life

Rule affects Britons post-Brexit as well as other non-EU citizens such as Americans

Explained: French civic tests for residency and citizenship

Cultural sessions now offered to newcomers undergoing the Contrat d’intégration républicaine (CIR) process via the Ofii immigration service

Five-year WA card holders in France reminded to apply for renewal in good time

If you obtained your card in 2021, you should apply to renew it two months before the expiry date

Can you offer rentals in France when staying on visitor visa?

There are different thresholds for rentals before they are deemed as ‘professional income’

'Visitor' card holders: what to do if refused 10-year card

Problems arise sometimes when people apply after having had five years in France under cartes de séjour ‘visiteur’

French visas, cartes de séjour and removals of foreign nationals in 2025

The number of foreigners in France hits its highest level ever

Travelling during a residency card renewal: how can I show I am exempt from EES?

Tens of thousands of ‘Brexit’ cards are nearing expiry this year

French MPs vote in favour of automatic renewal of long-term residency cards

Multi-year and 10-year cards would be only be refused in case of legal grounds for refusal

Briton’s EU voting rights cancelled in last-minute ruling by France's top appeal court

British civil servant Alice Bouilliez had previously been reinstated

France and UK edge closer on youth mobility deal

Key differences remain but partners have struck a 'warmer tone' over plans

Brexit WA residency card renewals simplified in some departments of France

40,000 five-year documents due to expire before the end of 2026

Cancer treatment at risk due to delays for 18-year-old’s WA card

Situation has now been eased after British consular service intervened

French budget: Plans to increase cost of residency cards in 2026 by €100

Cost of visas and of French citizenship also proposed to be hiked

EU visa-free travel: new suspension rules explained

Reasons allowed for pausing ‘90/180 days’ travel rights are being expanded

Share your stories about visiting France under the 90/180 days rule

Campaign group France Visa Free wants rules to be relaxed

Is there a set date by which I must arrive in France from US on long-stay visa?

VLS-TS visas must be validated within three months

‘Some French residency renewals are so slow they are expired by time received’ - Amnesty International

Charity argues for abolition of precarious one-year cards for non-EU workers and criticises ‘dysfunctional’ residency card system

French MPs back new health fee for ‘visitor visas’ and target Americans

Measure adopted as part of the ongoing 2026 budget negotiations

List: how to apply for Brexit card renewals in different areas of France

An increasing number of prefectures have online procedures, but some are yet to provide information

Groups call for more clarity as France seeks to standardise Brexit WA card renewal process

The first residency cards are due for renewal but not all prefectures are taking up new simple online system

Britons ordered to leave France over bad first year of work lose court appeal

Order was upheld despite their Dordogne gîte business now doing better. They say they have ‘absolutely nothing to go back to in the UK’.

Small drop in percentage of French visa applications being declined

Roughly one in every six visa requests refused in 2024

Could you pass the French civic knowledge exam? Try our quiz

Applicants for certain residency cards and citizenship need to get 80% right after January 1, 2026

Clarity needed on new tests for French multi-year residency cards, say applicants

A pass in a new ‘civic’ test is one requirement; we explain what it will contain

Is biometric information handed over for previous visas used for EES?

Data provided at registration is retained for at least three years

How does EES affect me if I need to travel to France urgently?

Travel authorisation system Etias may pose more problems in this area

EES rules in France: How are spouses of EU citizens affected?

New system comes into force on October 12

Americans and Britons in France: long-stay visas and residency trends 2024

Americans are among top nationalities for first-issue residency cards

Retired Britons in France rejected for citizenship over foreign income – what you can do

More readers speak of hardline approach taken on applications

How to renew a five-year Brexit WA residency card online in France

Interior Ministry asked prefectures to set up standardised sites: several, but by no means all, have now done so

Simplification of French visa process in the pipeline

More 'digitalisation' expected for UK applications as some US applicants now benefit from postal option

Can you remain in France on 90/180 days quota after six-month stay is up?

American citizens benefit from short-stay visa access to bloc without needing a visa

Concern over Christmas travel for those renewing Brexit cards in France

Issues likely if simpler procedures are not put into place, says campaign group

Must VLS-TS visa holders become French residents?

Certain visas need to be validated soon after arriving in France

How long does it take to get a visa for France? Connexion readers share experiences and tips

We invited readers who have applied for a visa to complete a survey on the process

How long can a long-stay visa for France last?

Understanding the criteria and their durations for non-residents

Liberal Democrat MPs sign motion over 'damaging' 90/180 limit in France

An early day motion has been put forward, stating that the longstanding rule is harmful

Can ‘visitor’ visa holders in France work remotely for foreign firms?

A review of the laws regarding residency rights, work law, tax and social charges

Who do the new French language tests changes affect - and from when?

Use our handy graphic to see if this applies to you

WA cards ‘renewal’ and expiry in France clarified

Difference between applying for a card ‘duplicate’ with a new address, and renewing a card

Can French Brexit card be renewed early if need to return home?

Five and ten-year cards have different maximum absence periods

Can our adult children join us in France through our Brexit card?

The regroupement familial process does not apply to Britons with WA rights

We do not need Brexit Withdrawal Agreement card to visit France - so how can we cancel it?

Connexion reader says allowance of the 90/180 rule is enough

What is a French ‘visa d’installation’ and is it possible to apply for one?

Some visas allow you to settle in France after you arrive

French Brexit card renewals approach: how will they work?

An estimated 42,000 Britons with five year-cards soon need to upgrade to the 10-year version

Renewing residency cards proves slow process for many in France

Connexion readers frustrated by the long, drawn-out process, as complaints rise

Strict ‘family visa’ rules for couples returning from France under review in UK

UK government asks the Migration Advisory Committee to investigate

New agreement needed with EU for visa-free travel for Britons, says UK MP

EU citizens may visit UK for up to six months without a visa, whereas Britons are subject to the standard Schengen area limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.

Retiree denied French citizenship due to foreign income sources

Connexion reader's nationality application was rejected due to insufficient French-sourced income, sparking debate on new guidelines

Can over-65s become French citizens without passing language tests?

A new immigration bill is changing several minimum language rules

Scope of French language tests widens ahead of new residency card requirements

A more intermediate language level can now be assessed in Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité (IRN) exams

Act fast on French residency card renewals, says lawyer

Legally-speaking, no news from authorities can become a tacit refusal after a certain time

Culture tests for more applicants as French citizenship rules are toughened

New test will come into effect before January 1, 2026

Does the spouse of a Brexit card holder have the right to live in France?

Certain residency card holders can bring spouses to France with them

EU-UK mobility deal in sight to help young people visit France

Scheme would make travel for studies and exchanges easier for under 30s

French language tests: ‘B1 and B2 are marked very differently - as my 5/25 shows’

American Peyman Pejman tells what he learnt when he asked the examiner about the marking system after he got a low score in part of the B2

Do French language test exemptions for over 65s apply to all residency cards?

There has been much confusion over the incoming rules

10 questions you could be asked about French culture and history at nationality test

Interior Minister wants a new examination to be introduced rather than the current one during interview

French rules on holding both Brexit and EU residency cards explained

Britons cannot hold both Brexit and EU long-term residency cards

Tougher rules for nationality: rights watchdog criticises already ‘complex’ process

“The acquisition of nationality is already excessively complicated”

Rules to be toughened for French citizenship, announces minister

A new civic knowledge test is to be required as well as more checks on background and personal finances

What is the difference between a visa and a residency card?

Exploring the distinctions and processes for visas and residency cards for staying in the country

List: Who needs to pass new French language tests for residency?

The level required is set to increase in 2025

What will happen if French residency card holder is away when EES border checks start?

New digital border rules are to be phased in over time

UK and EU move closer to post-Brexit visa deal for young people

Agreement could allow under 30s to live and work in opposite countries, but is not a return to freedom of movement UK insists

Entry/Exit System: How will it work with a temporary French visa?

If a person enters France from outside the EU prior to the start of their French visa, they will be logged