--- title: 10-Year Resident Card — France (2026) description: Free complete guide to the 10-Year Resident Card visa for France. Eligibility, costs, documents, process, and FAQ. Updated 2026. image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content France flag [/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflagcdn.com%2Fw80%2Ffr.png&w=3840&q=75]CARTE DE RÉSIDENT (10-YEAR RESIDENT CARD) Category: Residency · Processing time: 4-6 months Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-05-29Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial visa portal ↗ [https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17363] Review due soon 3 min readCommunity feedback: open Save visa to plan Visa decisions require official verification MigrantIQ provides general migration information, not legal advice. Always verify critical steps with official government sources or a licensed advisor before paying fees or submitting documents. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] AI-assisted. Parts of this page may be drafted with AI and editor-reviewed. Always confirm rules, fees, and hours on official government sources before you act. How we use AI [/about/ai/] · Editorial standards [/about/editorial-standards/] Apply through official authority France-Visas / OFII Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-21. Apply on official site → [https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17363] Visa type Residency Processing time 4-6 months Fees FirstIssuanceTax: EUR 300 Validity 10 years (renewable) Stay duration Indefinite (provided you do not leave France for >3 consecutive years) Entry type Multiple entry Insurance Confirm if required Bookmark Save this visa to My Plan OVERVIEW A long-term, renewable residency title granting the right to live and work in France indefinitely. Path to PR: N/A (this is the PR permit). Path to citizenship: Yes. Income: Must meet stable * Leads to permanent residency: Yes * Requires job offer: No * Language required: No * Minimum education: N/A (Integration requirements now include B1 French language & Civic Exam) * Financial requirement: Mandatory. Must prove stable and sufficient income (typically benchmarked against the French SMIC minimum wage of ~€21,621.60/year as of 2026). * Accommodation proof: Yes * Return ticket: No ESTIMATED COSTS * - FirstIssuanceTax: EUR 300 * - StampDuty: EUR 50 * - TotalCostFirstIssuance: EUR 350 REQUIRED DOCUMENTS * - Valid passport and current residence permit/long-stay visa * - Official proof of B1 French language proficiency (diploma or certificate) * - Certificate of success for the mandatory national Civic Exam * - Proof of continuous and legal residence (5 years standard, 3 years for spouses of French nationals) * - Evidence of stable financial resources (e.g., tax returns, pay slips) * - Proof of address (less than 6 months old) APPLICATION STEPS 1. Verify eligibility based on your specific category (e.g., spouse of French national, 5-year residency, family reunification). 2. Prepare for and pass the mandatory national Civic Exam (45-minute, 40-question digital test). 3. Obtain an official B1-level French language certificate (e.g., DELF/TCF). 4. Submit your application through the official ANEF (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France) portal. 5. Pay the combined issuance tax and stamp duty totaling €350. 6. Attend a biometric appointment at your local Préfecture if required. Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: France-Visas / OFII → [https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17363] TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENT * Mandatory: Confirm with official source * Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules * Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions * Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority EMBASSY, CONSULATE & APPOINTMENTS Embassy, consulate, jurisdiction, and appointment details vary by applicant location. Confirm the correct office before booking travel or paying fees. Open appointment or official portal → [https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17363] Browse foreign embassies in France (MigrantIQ directory) → [/embassies/in/france/] Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal. Application checklist TRACK YOUR 10-YEAR RESIDENT CARD PREPARATION Check items off as you prepare. Progress is saved in this browser and can be synced from My Plan. 0 / 16 complete * Confirm 10-Year Resident Card requirements on the official France immigration source.France-Visas / OFII * Review the eligibility rules and note anything that needs evidence.Check whether this pathway accepts self-sponsored applicants. * Book or gather language test evidence.A2 French (general route) * Prepare document: Valid passport and current residence permit/long-stay visaCheck whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Official proof of B1 French language proficiency (diploma or certificate)Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Certificate of success for the mandatory national Civic ExamCheck whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Proof of continuous and legal residence (5 years standard, 3 years for spouses of French nationals)Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Evidence of stable financial resources (e.g., tax returns, pay slips)Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Proof of address (less than 6 months old)Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Complete step: Verify eligibility based on your specific category (e.g., spouse of French national, 5-year residency, family reunification). * Complete step: Prepare for and pass the mandatory national Civic Exam (45-minute, 40-question digital test). * Complete step: Obtain an official B1-level French language certificate (e.g., DELF/TCF). * Complete step: Submit your application through the official ANEF (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France) portal. * Complete step: Pay the combined issuance tax and stamp duty totaling €350. * Pay only through official channels and save receipts.Avoid bank transfers to personal accounts or agents promising guaranteed approval. * Save a full copy of forms, uploads, payment receipts, and appointment confirmations. Clear checklistSync checklist in My Plan → [/plan/] GET VISA CHECKLIST UPDATES Receive relevant reminders and source updates for 10-Year Resident Card in France. Get reminders BENEFITS & WHAT THIS VISA ALLOWS * - 10-year residence * - Right to work without permit * - Path to French citizenship Trust & safety BEFORE YOU PAY OR SUBMIT DOCUMENTS Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract. Official portal → [https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17363] RELEVANT LAWS * Immigration Status and Overstay Rules [/laws/france/immigration-status-and-overstay-rules/] Immigration · Severity: Critical Your right to stay in France is determined by the specific visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you possess. It is important not to assume that a pending application, job offer, or school… * Work Authorisation Rules [/laws/france/work-authorisation-rules/] Employment · Severity: Critical In France, possessing a visa for entry does not automatically grant permission to work. Different categories of employment, such as paid jobs, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts, each have specific… * Tax Residency and Income Reporting [/laws/france/tax-residency-and-income-reporting/] Tax · Severity: High In France, tax residency is determined by several factors, including the duration of your stay, where you work, and whether you register as a resident. If you live in France for more than 183 days in a year, or if your… ACTIVE SCAM ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/france/document-translation-notary-overcharge/]Medium In France, newcomers sometimes hit challenges when dealing with document requirements for visas, residency, or work permits. Unfortunately, some agents exploit this vulnerability by overcharging for essential services… * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/france/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/]Medium Scammers in France often impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents, claiming that newcomers must pay a special fee to enter the country or to expedite their border crossing. This scam can be… * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/france/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/]Medium In France, a concerning trend has emerged involving fraudsters who claim to offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages through unofficial channels. These scams often target students, parents, and… * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/france/rental-deposit-before-viewing/]Medium Scammers frequently target newcomers in France by advertising fake rental properties. These scams often begin with attractive listings that feature low rental prices and appealing photos. Newcomers, including students,… QUICK ELIGIBILITY CHECK Use this self-check for 10-Year Resident Card. It does not replace official legal assessment. I have a qualifying job offerI have required language test evidence Education LevelHigh schoolDiplomaBachelor or higher Result: Likely eligible baseline COMMON REJECTION REASONS * - Failing to meet the new B1 language proficiency standard * - Insufficient proof of continuous legal residency in France * - Inadequate financial resources below the SMIC benchmark * - Failure to complete the mandatory civic exam APPLICATION TIPS * - Start your B1 language and Civic Exam preparation well in advance of your application date. * - Use the [ANEF portal](https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/) for all submissions as paper-based applications are largely phased out. * - Check your specific category exemptions for language and civic testing if you are over 65 or have medical restrictions. * - Ensure your civil status documents (birth/marriage certificates) are recently issued and translated by a sworn translator if not in French. SOURCES & REFERENCES Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ. * France-Visas / OFII [https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17363] Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements. * MigrantIQ visa record Summary record maintained for planning and source verification. Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo PLAN YOUR NEXT STEPS * All visas · FranceIndex [/visas/france/] * FranceCountry [/countries/france/] * Arrival checklistChecklist [/checklist/france/] * Eligibility quizTool [/tools/eligibility/] * Pick a corridor calculatorCalculator [/calculator/] * Immigration Q&AQ&A [/qa/] * People storiesStories [/stories/?corridor=france] * Save to My PlanPlan [/plan/] Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHO IS 10-YEAR RESIDENT CARD FOR? This visa is designed for applicants matching Residency pathway criteria. HOW LONG DOES PROCESSING TAKE? Typical processing time is 4-6 months, subject to documentation quality and application volume. WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE FIRST? Start with eligibility evidence, document checklists, and proof of funds before submitting. LANGUAGE TESTS * - A2 French (general route) CONTINUE PLANNING * All visas for France [/visas/france/] * France laws hub [/laws/france/] * France scam alerts [/scam-alerts/france/] Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. 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