Residency rights for people with strong personal and family ties in France

A residence permit or “titre de séjour”, can be issued to people living in France if they can demonstrate that they have sufficiently long-lasting, close and stable personal and family ties in France.

Verified by FNCIDFF on 06/10/2023

Conditions

You have to meet these two conditions:

  • You are not in any other situation that entitles you to a residence permit or “titre de séjour”.
  • You have close, stable, long-lasting personal and family ties in France.

Applicable law: Article L.423–23 of the “CESEDA” and circular of 28 November 2012.

  • The condition of strong personal and family ties in France depends entirely on the opinion of the local French administrative authority in charge of examining residence permits or “titre de séjour” applications known as the “préfecture”.

    This reason to obtain residency rights might apply in particular to people in the following situations:

    • Individuals living with a French person or a foreign national who has valid residency rights. You must be able to prove that you have lived with your partner for at least five years.
    • People who have signed a French civil partnership agreement or “Pacte civil de solidarité (Pacs)” with a French national. You must be able to prove that you have lived with your partner for at least one year, even if the “Pacs” is more recent.
    • People who have signed a “Pacs” with a foreign national with valid residency rights. You must be able to prove that you have lived with your partner for at least three years, even if the “Pacs” is more recent.
    • An individual married under civil law to a foreign national who has valid residency rights. You must be able to prove that you have been in France for at least five years and have lived with your spouse for at least 18 months.
    • People who have lived in France for at least five years with a child that has been educated in France for more than three years.
    • People with strong private ties in France, e.g. friends, work, volunteering, social life, period of residence, etc.
  • Your financial situation will also be taken into account, for example:

    • any resources you might have
    • financial or material help provided by loved ones
    • a promise of employment.

    Your integration into life in France will also be taken into account, for example:

    • your level of French
    • your knowledge of the French Republic's values
    • your social and professional situation.

    The “préfecture” will also examine the nature of your ties to people close to you living in your home country. If you have little family or few family ties in your home country, this will be taken into account and can be in your favour.

Evidence to provide

Proof of your life in France, or the fact that you live with your partner, must cover the entire period concerned: approximately one piece of evidence per month.

Note: only the date on which the document was drawn up will be taken into account to prove your presence in France. For example, a tax notice only proves your presence at the time it was issued, not for the periods it covers.

  • Some evidence is more valuable than others.

    • Unquestionable evidence: documents submitted by a French public administration.
    • Concrete evidence: documents provided by a private institution. For example: payslips, bank statements, doctor’s certificates, telephone, electricity, gas bills, etc.
    • Evidence rarely considered: personal documents. For example: an envelope with an address in the name of the applicant or a declaration from a close relative, etc.
  • This might apply to you if, for example, you have a new partner.

    Examples of evidence:

    • Lease and rent receipts in both names, with the exception of handwritten receipts.
    • A joint declaration of income, tax or no-tax-payable notices, council tax in both names.
    • Bills in both names: electricity, gas, telephone, Internet and other household purchases.
    • Declaration from the “Caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF)” social benefits fund on your marital situation: a certificate from the “CAF” in your name indicating the name of your partner or vice versa.
    • Home insurance in both names, or in your name but including the name of your partner.
    • A declaration of cohabitation from your town hall.
    • Letters addressed to both names. or to your name followed by the word “chez” then the name of your partner.

    If you are currently with a partner who is displaying violent behaviour, your safety is the top priority. You can declare the violence you have experienced when you apply for a residence permit or “titre de séjour” without presenting the proof above.

  • From the first year of nursery, documents proving that your children are in school called school certificates or “certificats de scolarité” are taken into account. If you no longer have them, you can ask your children's school for new ones.

Type of “titre de séjour” or residence permit issued

  • You will receive a temporary residence card or “carte de séjour temporaire” stating “vie privée et familiale” or private and family life, valid for one year. It allows you to work.

  • Your residence permit or “titre de séjour” can be renewed if you still meet the same conditions.

    You will now be eligible for a multi-year residence card or “carte de séjour pluriannuelle” valid for two years if you request one. You must also have signed an immigrant integration contract with the French state known as the “Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine (CIR)” and comply with its commitments.

  • If you have lived in France for at least five years, or three years in certain cases, you can request a “carte de résident” if you meet certain conditions. Learn more

Algerian citizens

The option to obtain a residence permit or “titre de séjour” on this basis is applicable to Algerian citizens.

You will receive an Algerian residence certificate or “certificat de résidence algérien” stating “vie privée et familiale” or private and family life valid for one year. It allows you to work. It is renewable as long as you still meet the conditions at the moment of issue.

After three years of official residence, you could be eligible for an Algerian residence certificate or “certificat de résidence algérien” valid for ten years, if you have stable and sufficient resources. This certificate can be renewed even if you no longer meet the conditions.

Applicable law: Article 6.5 of the Franco-Algerian Agreement of 27 December 1968 as amended.

Find support

In France, there are many services that can support you, give you advice, and assist you with procedures and paperwork. Most of them are free of charge.

  • La Cimade” is an organisation that specialises in supporting all immigrant and migrant people, and refugees in France, particularly people facing violence.

    • This service is free of charge.
    • They will be able to inform you and support you in your administrative procedures related to the right of residence in France, and direct you to other services depending on your personal situation.
    • Languages available: French, English and Spanish.
    • Contact :
      • without an appointment at a centre near you
      • by telephone on 01 40 08 05 34 or 06 77 82 79 09 on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Gisti” is an organisation specialising in legal advice to immigrants and refugees in France.

    • This service is free of charge.
    • They will be able to inform you about your rights relating to your residency rights and explain how to obtain them.
    • Language available: mainly French.
    • Contact:
      • By phone on +331 84 60 90 26 from Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and also from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. The line is sometimes saturated, do not be discouraged. It is sometimes easier to reach them towards the end of the day.
      • By post to “Gisti, 3 villa Marcès 75011 Paris, France”. Print and complete this form and include in your letter with a photocopy of any administrative documents that could be relevant. Be sure to specify your question as clearly as possible, including all elements that could help the “Gisti” advisor to understand your situation.
  • Associations” are organisations that offer various services. Some are specialised in immigration.

    • These services are free of charge.
    • They can inform you about your rights in France, and sometimes support you with immigration procedures.
    • Language available: mainly French.
    • Contact: you can search by region and department in this directory.
  • Authorised associations or “associations habilitées” can offer highly specialised services to asylum seekers.

    • These services are free of charge.
    • They can inform you about your rights, advise you, support you in your administrative procedures and come with you to your meeting with the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons or “Office français de la protection des réfugiés et des apatrides (OFPRA)”.
    • Language available: mainly French, interpretation possible.
    • Contact: you can find a “associations habilitées” near you in this directory.

While the utmost care has gone into providing you with the most accurate and up to date information, this page is not intended to replace legal or professional advice. Laws and procedures change regularly so it is important to consult qualified professionals.

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