A Guide 2 Visas and Residence Permits in Aquitaine

Description:

Whether you are visiting Aquitaine on holiday or moving here permanently, you may need to obtain a visa or residence permit depending on your country of origin.

Different types of permit

Visa

Nationals of certain countries will need a visa to enter France.  This will allow you to enter the country freely and needs to be applied for before leaving your home country.  It is essential that you apply for the right visa and you enter the country on that one without the intention of modifying it later.  It isn’t possible to change a visa purpose within France. 

Visas available include short stay, long stay, temporary long stay, short stay student examination, circulation and transit.

Residency permit - temporary

The Carte de Séjour or a Titre de Séjour is the French resident permit and is required if you plan to stay in France for more than three months.  This permits in only valid for one year but is renewable.

You can only apply for a residency permit once you are actually in France.  There are different types of residency permits depending on whether you are a non working visitor, a student, an employee, self employed, a trader, a scientific profession, a cultural or artistic profession, a temporary employee or for private or family purposes.

Residency permit - permanent

A Carte de Resident allows you to live permanently in France for up to ten years and is renewable.  Five year permits are often handed out, but ensure you know your rights. You must have lived in France for at least three years before you can apply for this type of permit.

Work permit

A work permit allows you to seek paid employment in France.  This may be a separate document or it may simply be an additional clause on your residency permit.  Usually the permit will need to be applied for by your potential employer in Aquitaine from the relevant Departmental Directorate for Labour, Employment and Vocational Training (DDTEFP).

This process can be costly for the employer.  If an employer wishes to hire you and you don’t have the relevant work documents, they must be able to prove that they were unable to find a more qualified candidate in all of the EU member states. 

If you have a permanent residency permit then you do not need to apply for a separate work permit.

Which visa and permit do you need?

Nationals from the European Economic Area and Switzerland

People from this area do not require a visa, residency permit or work permit to come to live and work in Aquitaine. 

However, if you would like one you are still able to apply for one from your prefecture or local Mairie.  This can provide an official French piece of ID and prevent you from having to carry your passport around with you.

Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania

Residence of Bulgaria and Romania will need to apply for a work permit before seeking employment in Aquitaine as well as a residency permit if you would like to stay within France for longer than three months.

Any Bulgarian and Romanian national, who holds a Masters 2 obtained in France, are automatically entitled to access to the French employment market.

Nationals from an area within the Shengen Area

An agreement exists between France and countries which fall under the Shengen Area Treaty allowing citizens from the following countries to stay in France for up to 3 months without a visa;

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Vatican and Venezuela.

Other country nationals - Non European Economic Area

Please seek advice from your home country consulate or from the French consulate in the country where you are living.  Generally a visa is required to enter France and a residence permit is required if you plan to stay in France for more than three months.  The permit needs to be obtained before moving to France.

If you do not fall into one of the other 'national' category above you do not have access to the French employment market even if they have long term resident status in another Member State.  After 3 months, if you are able to provide evidence of sufficient resources and health insurance, you can apply for a visitors residence permit.  This will not allow you to work immediately but will allow you to take the first step towards living and working in Brittany.

A non EU spouse and dependent family of  EU citizens are entitled to the same rights as an EU citizen in France, however a residency permit must be applied for within 2 months of arriving in France. Depending on the country, non EU spouses of EU citizens may enter France with a tourist visa including the additional stamp “Famille de membre UE”.  This stamp means that the visa holder should not have to prove hotel bookings, financial capacity to travel and visit the country.  If you are in this situation, it is strongly advised to have a copy of the EU regulations regarding EU spouse and dependents on you for all controls while entering France. 

Récipesse

On applying for a permenant reident card, if you have the right documents, you will be given a "récipesse" which is a temporary resident card while you wait for your permit to be validated.  This card can be extended if the delay is longer than the duration of the card.  

All resident permits are obtainable from your local Prefecture. 

For Further Information:

www.immigration.gouv.fr

www.service-public.fr

www.ofii.fr

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/venir/visas