The index25 guides
French residence permits and nationality: every English guide, step by step
A French residence permit is sought on a ground such as work, family, medical care, studies or talent. Silence ordinarily means refusal after 4 months, but some permits have different periods (CESEDA, R432-2). The exceptional shortage-occupation route in L435-4 applies until 31 December 2026 under the verified text; other routes still need consideration. This index groups our residence and nationality guides by procedural stage.
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General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.
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Give your current permit, its end date and the decision received, without any file number.
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25 pages
Which French visa or residence permit should you apply for?
Long-stay visa, work, family, medical care, studies, talent: each ground has its conditions and its evidence.
Renewal, receipt, ANEF: how do you follow your application?
The prefecture’s time limits, the permit fee, your rights while the file is examined and the useful follow-ups.
Residence refusal, order to leave, visa refusal: which appeals and time limits?
Appeal time limits are short and depend on the decision: read first what it covers.
Working and driving in France: which authorisations?
Work authorisation for the employee and the employer, and exchanging a driving licence.
Nationality, marriage, civil status: which documents should you gather?
Naturalisation, nationality through marriage, the civic exam, documents issued abroad, apostille and translation.
- Prepare French nationality by marriage documents
- French nationality certificate
- Prepare a French marriage file with a foreign partner
- Request a French birth certificate from abroad
- Prepare to correct a French civil-status record
- Apostille a French document for use abroad
- Legalise a foreign document for France
- Prepare a sworn translation document pack
- French civic exam 2026: who takes it, and which French level
Asylum in France: which steps and which time limits?
From the single desk to OFPRA, then the appeal to the National Court of Asylum.