Long-term resident card

To legally reside in France, a foreigner (non-European) must apply for a long-stay visa in his country of origin. Once in France, the foreigner must renew their residence permit at each expiry (annual or multiannual).

This procedure can be tiring and grueling depending on the prefecture of residence. Furthermore, the situation of the foreigner becomes unstable once, depending on the permit requested, the continuity of his stay could be refused at each renewal.

In this context, the CESEDA (Code for the entry and stay of foreigners and the right to asylum) has provided a solution with the long-term resident card.

i. General case

You can apply for a long-term resident card if you have 5 years of uninterrupted stay in France*, stable and sufficient resources to meet your needs (income must reach the minimum wage) taking into account all your resources, except benefits family and the following allowances.

To obtain the card, your republican integration into French society is also taken into account. This condition is appreciated in particular concerning your commitment to respect, and the effective respect, of the principles which govern the French Republic and your sufficient knowledge of French.

ii. Special cases

a. Handicap/invalidity: The means condition does not apply to holders of the allowance for disabled adults (AAH) or the supplementary invalidity allowance (ASI).

b. Person above 65: sufficient knowledge of French is not required.

If you have any doubts or need help putting together your case, don't hesitate to contact a lawyer.

Disclaimer: This text is informative and illustrates the law and case law on this subject at the time it was written. It does not have the character of legal consultation and it does not substitute the consultation with a lawyer.

*With one of the following residence permits: Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit; Temporary visitor's residence permit; Temporary / multi-year residence permit for private and family life; Temporary / multi-year employee residence permit; Temporary / multi-year entrepreneur / liberal profession residence permit; Multi-year residence permit, talent passport (excluding mission), or Resident card