Many people dream of getting a higher education here, successfully building a career or starting their own business. The absence of corruption, well-developed infrastructure, social benefits and benefits, promising medicine and education are just a few of the advantages that annually push thousands of Russians to think about moving.
Pros and cons of immigration
Advantages of relocating to France:
- High quality of life;
- Safe ecology;
- Regulated legal framework aimed at protecting the rights of citizens;
- Feeling of social security;
- Comfortable working conditions, strict adherence to labor legislation;
- Rich cultural life.
When deciding on immigration, you need to think about more than alluring prospects. Difficulties of French life:
- High taxes;
- Flourishing red tape;
- Difficulties in finding a job with highly qualified specialists;
- The language barrier.
Types of residence permit
The desire to come to live in France is not enough. A residence permit will help to take root in the country.
Benefits of a residence permit
Migrants with a residence permit are vested with equal rights with the French, with the exception of suffrage and political participation.
The tangible advantages of a residence permit:
- The right to free entry and exit;
- Unimpeded visa-free travel in the Schengen countries;
- Possibility of running your own business in France;
- Employment;
- Possibility of lending in European banks providing favorable conditions and low interest rates;
- Getting free education;
- Access to government support programs;
- Qualified medical care.
Pensioners with a residence permit who have been living in the country for at least 10 years, with an annual income of around 9,500 euros, can count on pension benefits upon reaching the age of 65. The average pension is 800 euros... This amount is enough to pay for housing and quality food.
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Varieties and terms of validity
There are residence permits in the French Republic:
- Temporary - Carte de Sejour Temporaire, valid up to 1 year;
- Constant - Carte de Resident, issued for 10 years;
- Residence permit for gifted persons - Carte de Sejour "Competences et talents", issued for 3 years.
Renewal procedure
Any residence permit is much easier to renew than to obtain. You will not need to travel outside France. An updated dossier is sent to the prefecture 2 months before the termination of the document. After hearing the case in OFII, in the absence of gross violations, a decision is made to extend.
Methods of obtaining for Russians
Obtaining a residence permit in bureaucratic France requires compliance with a number of requirements and careful selection of documents sent to the migration service. Any mistake can cause a refusal to obtain a residence permit. The French authorities thoroughly check the validity of the grounds and the financial stability of the applicants.
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit:
- Marrying a French citizen;
- Committed to family reunification;
- An invitation to work under a contract;
- Starting a business;
- Investing in the economy;
- Significant contribution to science, art;
- Getting an education in French universities;
- Internship;
- Accommodation and work in a French family under the Au Pair program;
- Long-term guest visit of financially independent persons.
A prerequisite is residence in France for 1 year for a temporary residence permit and at least 5 years for a permanent one. When applying for a permanent residence permit, applicants take a test of knowledge of the French language and cultural values of France.
Procedure for registration
The initial stage is obtaining a long-term national visa at the Russian consulate with the right to stay in France from 3 to 12 months.
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A complete list of documents for applying for a visa in each individual case, application forms can be found on the official website of the French Embassy.
Visa - the equivalent of a residence permit
A long-term visa equivalent to a residence permit is issued for 1 year, does not require contacting the prefecture during the entire period of validity, and endows the holders with all the privileges of a residence permit.
Categories of visa applicants:
- Persons married to a Frenchman;
- Spouses and minor children of foreigners legally residing in France;
- Highly qualified specialists invited for permanent work on a contract basis;
- Students;
- Persons who have arrived in the country on a guest visit;
- Individuals seeking an internship.
After entering the country, no later than 3 months, registration is made at the migration office OFII (French Office of Immigration and Integration).
To make an appointment, you need to send it to the territorial office by registered mail OFII at the place of stay filled form with the mark of the consulate, copies of the passport pages with personal data and the stamp of the border services and wait for an invitation for an interview.
A visit to the migration office includes:
- Medical checkup;
- Conversation with an employee OFII;
- Providing the necessary documents;
- Signing of an agreement on integration into French society.
Full information on the documents, addresses of territorial offices can be found on the official website of the OFII.
2-3 months before the termination of a long-term visa, documents are submitted to the prefecture for a residence permit.
Long-term visa requiring a residence permit
The visa involves a visit to the prefecture within 2 months after crossing the border of the French Republic to obtain a residence permit with the right to live and work.
Recipient categories:
- Parents of French citizens and their spouses;
- Children of spouses of French citizens;
- Businessmen, investors;
- Talented workers of culture and science;
- Employees.
Documents for obtaining a residence permit
Basic package:
- Completed application;
- Foreign passport with a long-term visa;
- Photo of the established sample;
- Proof of residence in France (ownership of real estate, rental agreement);
- Bank statement;
- Medical insurance;
- Marital status documents;
- Confirmation of the grounds for a long stay in France;
- Certificate of knowledge of the French language and culture.
Additional documents for minors:
- Children from 6 years old - information about the registration or preliminary registration in the educational institution;
- If the child moves with one of the parents - notarized permission to leave the country and permanently reside in France from a parent who does not request a residence permit.
Russian-language documents require a mandatory certified translation into French.
Features of registration of residence permit
The registration process differs in nuances for different groups of applicants.
For those moving to do business
For businessmen, a long-term visa is issued with a 1-year commercial permit with renewal.
Mandatory requirements:
- Granting a diploma;
- Having a promising business plan;
- Provision of a license for the activities carried out (if necessary);
- No criminal record.
For financially independent persons
Financially independent guests apply for a long-term visitor visa without the right to work.
Requirements for a candidate:
- The presence in the bank account of an amount sufficient to cover expenses based on a monthly income of 1498 euros per person (this is the established minimum wage in France in 2021);
- Provision of an obligation not to carry on an income-generating work activity in France.
For those moving to get education
For students, a visa is issued for the entire period of study.
Mandatory conditions:
- Proof of solvency is required from the student himself or the presence of a sponsor;
- A document of admission is provided.
For those moving for the purpose of employment
A residence permit due to employment is rarely issued and only after obtaining a work permit. The employer personally convinces the French migration service that this work cannot be performed by a French citizen, and that this specialist cannot be done without.
Candidates with high qualifications and a narrowly focused specialty have advantages.
For family relocation
Immigrants residing legally in the country more than 1.5 years, have the right to obtain a residence permit for close relatives.
Terms of provision:
- Documentary proof of relationship is required;
- The size of the living space must meet the standards (at least 16 m2 for two, 9 m2 for each subsequent family member);
- A stable income is provided to cover the living expenses of the family;
- The absence of serious diseases in applicants;
- Social reliability of candidates.
For those who have married a French citizen
French spouses apply for a long-term visa at the Russian consulate after the marriage procedure.
Before issuing a residence permit, the state thoroughly checks for fictitious marriage. In case of divorce before reaching the 5-year marriage milestone, the immigrant must leave the country after the expiration of the residence permit.
For those wishing to obtain a residence permit when buying real estate
Buying real estate significantly simplifies the procedure for obtaining an entry visa and provides certain visa benefits, but does not give the right to a residence permit.
Terms and costs of registration
The term for consideration of a request for a residence permit is legally regulated by 2 months. In fact, you have to wait from 2 weeks to six months for an answer. Each time the documents are returned for correction, the deadline is reset to zero and the countdown starts from the beginning.
Migration services in large cities are faster than provincial offices.
Registration costs:
- Payment of fees for the initial registration of a residence permit — 241 euros (for students 58 euros);
- Cost of renewal of residence permit — 106 euros (49 euros for students).
In case of refusal to issue a residence permit, the amount of the fee is not refundable.
Appealing the refusal to issue a residence permit
Grounds for refusal to issue a residence permit:
- Incorrect filling of documents;
- Inaccuracy of the specified information;
- Low income;
- Violation of the laws of France.
You can appeal the refusal to issue a residence permit by submitting an appeal to the migration service within 2 weeks. If the appeal is rejected, there are 2 months from the date of receipt of the decision to file an application with the court of first instance.
Grounds for the loss of residence permit status
Reasons for canceling a residence permit:
- Revealing the fact of fraud, falsification of documents;
- Failure to comply with French laws;
- A crime committed abroad.
If the residence permit is canceled, the person is expelled from the country without the possibility of rehabilitation.
Reviews
Olga:The main problem in France is a thriving bureaucracy. I redid documents twice. The first time only because I passed a medical examination in the wrong hospital (without the necessary accreditation). For the second time, the absence of the French stamp was found on the birth certificate. The labor market is replete with offers of seasonal work, waiters, nannies, maids are required. It is difficult to find a qualified high-paying job!
Faith:My husband is an IT specialist, he has been working in France for 3 years under a contract, extending a temporary residence permit. Last year I moved in with him on a family reunification program. Migration officials carefully examined my husband's apartment and wanted to refuse us due to ventilation problems. Many questions were asked! I was painfully awaiting a decision from December to February! But we were lucky! Now I am attending intensive French courses, as my entry level is not enough, and the French are not very fond of communication in English.
France has been a popular relocation destination for many years. The number of immigrants is growing every year. Obtaining a residence permit is not an easy procedure, but it is quite feasible if you have a clear goal and meticulously prepared documents.
