HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Visas & residency cards

Visas and residency cards

Here you can find the latest information on visas and residency cards - including the latest on withdrawal agreement residency cards.

'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

11% more first French residency cards issued in 2025 than in 2024

Some 15,000 first-issue permits were granted to Americans and 7,870 to Britons, provisional figures show

French justice minister supports freeze on immigration: who would be affected

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

practical

Is there shortcut for six-month French visa application?

news

Brexit residency card renewals: 12 confusion points and solutions

news

New 2026 civic tests in France: 50 example questions in French

news

New civic tests for foreigners in France launch amid criticism

Applicants for some types of residency cards must now take 45-minute test

news

‘It’s the place we are happiest’: why George Clooney and family become French

‘My kids have a much better life [and] speak perfect French’, the Hollywood star says

news

Residency rights and border changes: What's new and changing in France in 2026

Including the EU’s launch of travel authorisation scheme ETIAS and the continued ‘phase in’ of its digital borders system, EES

Dual citizenship under threat: what the US bill means for Americans in France

We must stop senator’s plan to ban dual American citizenship say Franco-American lawyers

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

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

France and UK edge closer on youth mobility deal

news

Brexit WA residency card renewals simplified in some departments of France

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

Civic tests for French residency cards: Official website now open

Site gives information about training and exams required for multi-year and 10-year cards

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

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

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

practical

‘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

news

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

Measure adopted as part of the ongoing 2026 budget negotiations

news

More readers speak out on French citizenship denial over foreign income

Interior Ministry confirms exceptions remain possible

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

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

Proposed law aims to simplify French residency card renewals

news

Small drop in percentage of French visa applications being declined

Roughly one in every six visa requests refused in 2024

practical

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

practical

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