Language and civic tests and residency cards

Applying for residency cards 

Americans wanting to settle in France long-term must eventually apply for a residency card. 

This can be done from four to two months before expiry of a VLS-TS visa or within the first months after arrival for those on visas that require this. In most cases you apply online.

A few kinds of card still require an application directly to the local prefecture. In fact, even where you apply on Anef, your paperwork will be sent to this body for processing. 

In theory, other options than online should be possible for card applications if you are unable to use the website, but in which case you must try to contact the prefecture – its phone number and/or email or online contact details should be available via its website. 

There is one main prefecture per department of France and sometimes also smaller sous-préfectures but usually the latter may not deal with residency.

Look for the website section relating to étrangers (foreigners).

All residency cards are credit-card sized laminated cards, with a microchip.

The generic term is titres de séjour, which means ‘residency document’. 

Most of those obtained in the first years in France have carte de séjour in the name, whereas people with established residency (usually, for at least five years) may apply for a carte de résident.

The latter conveys more rights and allows you to live and work in France on similar terms to a French person so, for example, you can freely choose how to earn your living. The main kind that is relevant to those without family links in France is called carte de résident de longue durée - UE (EU long-term resident’s card). 

This is recognized across the EU and may make it easier to move to other EU countries in future, if you wish.

A carte de séjour by contrast usually defines a more narrow status to which residency rights in France are tied.

Note that if moving as a retiree on a visiteur visa (which does not have a ‘multi-year’ version), you will need to renew at least four times and have spent a total of five years in France, before you can apply for a 10-year carte de résident and so reduce residency formalities. 

Assuming you and your household have regular income to support yourself, and health cover (eg. by joining the French system), and you have been respecting any other conditions related to your type of residency card, there is no legal reason for renewals to be denied.

All adult non-EU nationals staying long term need their own residency card and even if you are dependent on another person, such as your spouse, you should each make a separate application. 

With regard to proof of income and domicile (eg. utility bills), if you are financially dependent on a partner, you need to include proofs in their name as well as proof of the relationship, such as a marriage or civil partnership certificate. 

A signed statement from your partner confirming that you live with them can also be provided. When applying, official documents such as marriage certificates usually have to be translated by a sworn translator (easily found in France) if they are not in French. 

It is advisable to apply to the prefecture for a document de circulation pour étranger mineur for under-18s who do not have their own cards. This is a travel document proving they are residents.

Language tests

Some non-EU citizens moving to France are asked to take French language tests. This is to check their level against the European language levels (from A1, basic essentials, to C2, expert). 

This is especially relevant to those with work contracts for longer than a year (but not the talent card). 

It also applies to would-be applicants for ‘multi-year cards’ for self-employed workers or people coming to join French family members. 

Newcomers in these categories sign a Contrat d’intégration républicaine (CIR), which includes taking a test at the local branch of Ofii. CIR signatories who do not reach level A2 will be offered language training. 

However, only those who cannot read or write French at all will be offered in-person lessons. 

Others will be given access to online, automated language training to use at their own speed, whenever they wish for the duration of the CIR (one year).

Proof of level A2 (an advanced beginner, able to use simple phrases in daily life) is required to obtain a first multi-year card, by paying for a test at one of many accredited centers to be found around France (it costs about €100). 

Level B1 is needed for a first 10-year carte de résident (over 65s are exempt).

These tests assess ability in listening and reading comprehension (answers are multiple choice) and there is also a requirement to write some simple passages and to take an oral exam involving role-play and discussion.

You can find centers here or here. 

Note however that you are exempt from needing to take such a test if you are aged over 65 or incapable due to illness/disability, even with adaptations.

Where a holder of a VLS-TS or one year residency card applies for a multi-year card but does not meet the criteria for it due to not having a language test pass at A2 they may be issued with another one-year card.

However, it is no longer possible in the case of people subject to the CIR, to renew such a visa or card under the same heading (eg. employed worker) more than three times, putting an extra onus on these newcomers to learn at least basic conversational French.

Civic tests

People required to submit a language test pass for their first multi-year card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle; CSP) or first resident’s card (carte de résident) application will also need to obtain an 80% pass in a multiple-choice test on civic and cultural material. 

These can be booked at centers which are often the same that propose language tests and the fees are also similar. 

There is an official website for the civic tests which can help you prepare for these. 

The tests consist of 40 questions about France, split into five categories: 

• Principles and values of the Republic

• Rights and responsibilities of life in France

• Institutional and political systems

• History, geography, and culture

• Life in French society

Applicants must score at least 80% on the test (32/40) to pass.

The test is taken on a desktop or tablet computer and takes three-quarters of an hour. As it is multiple choice, no writing out of long phrases is required. 

Each question has four proposed answers, with only one being correct.

There are 28 questions about ‘knowledge’ and 12 ‘situations’. The latter test whether you have understood ‘real life’ implications of the principles.

As mentioned, CIR signatories will receive some free training in these topics. You can also prepare by visiting the official website and checking Fiches par journée for more information on different topics covered on certain days. 

You can find a full list of ‘knowledge’ questions that can be asked for the multi-year card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle; CSP) and for the 10-year carte de résident.