Note there is a wide range of residency permits and regulations change frequently. Even though we cannot provide all details on residence permits, this chapter should help you to get started.
A temporary residence permit ( Carte de séjour temporaire, CST) authorizes residency in France for the indicated period of a maximum of one year and is renewable. There are several kinds of temporary residency permits with different statuses:
Visitors (visiteur): You may not work and need financial resources to live during your stay.
Student (étudiant): You may work part-time during the academic year and full-time during holidays. You need sufficient financial resources for the study period (2004 €826.83/month) and be enrolled in a recognised French educational institution.
Employee (activité salariée): To obtain this permit, you need a work permit (see our guide on working permits).
Self-employed (activité non salariée): Gives the right to exercise a professional activity. To get this permit, you need to be authorised to exercise such an activity in France (i.e. have the corresponding and homologated professional qualifications).
Trader (commerçant): Gives right to exercise trade and commercial activity. To get this permit, you need to be authorised to exercise such an activity in France (i.e. have the corresponding and homologated professional qualifications).
Scientific (scientifique): Gives right to regular entry and residence in France for scientific research or/and teaching at university level. You need a certificate ( protocole d'accueil) from a research institution or from a university, which states your scientific qualifications and the purpose and duration of your stay/s.
Cultural and artistic profession (profession artistique et culturelle): You can obtain this permit if you have a contract for more then 3 months with a relevant organization for exercising cultural or artistic professional activities.
Temporary employee (travailleur temporaire): You can obtain this resident permit if you are employee with a temporary working permit.
Private or family purposes (vie privée et familiale): You have rights to receive this residence permit for example if you are:
A permanent residence permit ( Carte de résident, CR) allows you to live permanently in France. Permits are valid for ten years and renewable. You can apply for this permit after living in France for three years, proving your financially self-sufficient (provide previous three years' tax payments and current employment contract). You can also obtain this permit under other conditions, i.e. if you are spouse of a French national.
The récépissé de demande de carte de séjour (RCS) authorizes residence in France while an application for an official residence permit is being processed. It is valid for at least one month, is renewable, and can allow you to get a temporary work permit (APT).
A provisional stay permit ( authorisation provisoire de séjour, APS) is for foreigners not legally entitled to remain on French territory (e.g. with an expired visa or permit) who cannot leave for medical, humanitarian or professional reasons. It is valid for at least one month, it is renewable and can allow you to get a temporary work permit (APT).
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