Carte de Résident (10-Year Resident Card)
Category: Residency · Processing time: 4–6 months
Recently verified
Apply through official authority
France-Visas / OFII
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-21.
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
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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
- Verify eligibility based on your specific category (e.g., spouse of French national, 5-year residency, family reunification).
- Prepare for and pass the mandatory national Civic Exam (45-minute, 40-question digital test).
- Obtain an official B1-level French language certificate (e.g., DELF/TCF).
- Submit your application through the official ANEF (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France) portal.
- Pay the combined issuance tax and stamp duty totaling €350.
- Attend a biometric appointment at your local Préfecture if required.
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: France-Visas / OFII →
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 →Browse foreign embassies in France (MigrantIQ directory) →
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
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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.
Relevant laws
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in France depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school admission aut
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In France, a visa that allows entry does not always allow work. Paid employment, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts may each have different permission rules.
- Tax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax · Severity: High
Living in France for long enough, working locally, or registering as a resident may trigger tax-residency or income-reporting duties even if your income is paid from abroad.
Active scam alerts
Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for France, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorities.
Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter France, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-track border che
Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for France through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification during visa process
Scammers advertise fake apartments in France, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for 10-Year Resident Card. It does not replace official legal assessment.
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
Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements.
- MigrantIQ visa record
Summary record maintained for planning and source verification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This visa is designed for applicants matching Residency pathway criteria.
Typical processing time is 4–6 months, subject to documentation quality and application volume.
Start with eligibility evidence, document checklists, and proof of funds before submitting.