10-Year Resident Card in France: Complete Guide

The resident card is a 10-year residence permit that offers great administrative stability and easier access to all rights in France. It represents a form of permanent residence and constitutes an important step toward naturalization.

This guide explains how to obtain it and what its benefits are.

📜 What is the Resident Card?

The resident card is a residence permit with a duration of 10 years, automatically renewable. It grants its holder extensive rights and great professional freedom.

Types of Resident Cards

Resident card (common law)
Long-term resident card - EU (allows circulation and work in other EU countries)
Permanent resident card (for Algerian nationals, valid indefinitely)

✅ Conditions for Obtaining the Resident Card

1. Regular and Uninterrupted Residence in France

You must prove legal residence in France for at least 5 years.

Exceptions (residence reduced to 3 years):

Refugees
Stateless persons
French spouses (after 3 years of marriage and cohabitation)
Parents of French children
Persons who have rendered important services to France

2. Republican Integration

You must demonstrate your integration into French society:

Knowledge of the French language at A2 oral level of the CEFR (higher level for certain categories)
Knowledge of the values of the Republic: secularism, gender equality, freedom of expression, etc.
Respect for public order

3. Stable and Sufficient Resources

You must prove stable and regular resources equivalent to at least the SMIC (approximately €1,398 net monthly), or justify a situation allowing you to support yourself.

Supporting documents:

Pay slips
Employment contract (permanent contract preferred)
Tax assessment

4. Health Insurance

You must be covered by health insurance (Social Security or private insurance).

5. No Threat to Public Order

No serious criminal convictions or behavior contrary to the values of the Republic.

🎯 Who Can Apply for the Resident Card?

Categories with Automatic Rights

Spouse and children of refugees
Foreign children entrusted to Child Social Services (ASE) since age 16
Parents of French children residing in France for at least 5 years
French spouses after 3 years of marriage and cohabitation in France
Persons who have received a work accident pension with disability of at least 20%

Categories That Can Apply for the Resident Card

Any person regularly residing in France for at least 5 years with a temporary residence permit
Holders of a Passeport Talent for 5 years
Persons who have rendered important services to France (scientists, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, etc.)

📋 Required Documents

Common Documents

Current residence permit and old residence permits (to prove 5 years of residence)
Valid passport
Recent ID photos meeting standards
Proof of address less than 6 months old
Birth certificate with certified translation if necessary
Proof of resources:
- Last 3 pay slips
- Employment contract
- Last 3 tax assessments
Health insurance certificate
French language certificate level A2 (DELF, TCF, French diploma, etc.)
Declaration of honor of respect for republican values

Specific Documents According to Your Situation

Marriage certificate (for French spouses)
Birth certificate of French children (for parents of French children)
OFPRA certificate (for refugees)
Proof of services rendered (publications, awards, etc.)

🖥️ Application Procedure

From France (Renewal or Status Change)

Create an account on the ANEF platform: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
Submit the application online:
- Select "I am applying for a resident card"
- Complete the form
- Upload all supporting documents (PDF or JPEG, max 2 MB per file)
Pay stamp duties:
- Amount: €225 (tax stamp)
Submit the application:
- You receive an acknowledgment of receipt by email
File processing:
- The prefecture examines your file
- You may be summoned for an interview or to provide additional documents
Decision:
- If favorable: summons to collect the resident card at the prefecture
- If unfavorable: possibility of appeal

Processing Times

Review: 4 to 8 months on average
Summons for card issuance: 1 to 2 months after the decision

During processing, you will receive a receipt that extends your residence authorization.

✅ Benefits of the Resident Card

Administrative Stability

10-year validity (automatically renewable)
No annual renewal
Fewer administrative procedures

Right to Work

Complete freedom to exercise a professional activity (employed or self-employed) without restriction
Access to civil service jobs under certain conditions (some positions require French nationality)

Mobility

Free circulation in the Schengen area for stays of less than 90 days
With the long-term resident card - EU, possibility to settle and work in another EU country

Social Rights

Full access to social benefits (CAF, unemployment, retirement, etc.)
Facilitated family reunification

Path to Nationality

Facilitates the naturalization application after 5 years of total residence in France

🔄 Renewal of the Resident Card

The resident card is automatically renewable for 10 years as long as you meet the conditions:

Effective residence in France (no absence of more than 3 consecutive years)
Sufficient resources
Respect for public order

Renewal Procedure

Submit your application via ANEF 2 to 4 months before expiration.

Documents to provide:

Current resident card
Proof of resources
Proof of address
ID photos

Cost: €225

❌ Refusal and Appeals

Common Refusal Reasons

Insufficient or irregular residence
Insufficient or unstable resources
Insufficient integration (language, republican values)
Threat to public order
Criminal convictions

Possible Appeals

Administrative appeal: ask the prefecture to re-examine the file
Contentious appeal: refer to the administrative court within 2 months

⚠️ Withdrawal of the Resident Card

The resident card can be withdrawn in the following cases:

Absence from France for more than 3 consecutive years
Fraud during acquisition
Serious threat to public order (heavy criminal conviction, terrorist activities)
Polygamy or non-respect of republican values

🤝 VisaPref Assists You

Obtaining the resident card requires a rigorous file and perfect compliance with administrative requirements.

At VisaPref, we assist you to:

Assess your eligibility
Compile a complete file
Prepare for the integration interview
Maximize your chances of obtaining it

👉 Contact us for personalized assistance.

❓ FAQ – 10-Year Resident Card

1. What is the difference between the resident card and the long-term resident card - EU?

The long-term resident card - EU offers the same rights in France, but also allows you to settle and work in another EU country under certain conditions.

2. Can I apply for the resident card if I am a student?

Yes, after 5 years of regular residence in France, including as a student, you can apply for the resident card if you meet the resource and integration conditions.

3. How long does it take to obtain the resident card?

On average 4 to 8 months from file submission.

4. Can I lose my resident card if I leave France?

Yes, if you are absent from France for more than 3 consecutive years, your card can be withdrawn.

5. Does the resident card allow voting in France?

No, only French nationality gives the right to vote in national elections. However, EU nationals with a resident card can vote in municipal and European elections.