New law will help non-EU expats

STAYING in France is set to become easier for Americans, South Africans and other non-European residents due to a new law.

The bill, approved by MPs and due to go before the Senate this autumn, creates titres de séjour (residence permits) that last two to four years instead of the current renewable one year.

This should mean less paperwork and fewer trips to the prefecture for those on basic permits.

A ‘multi-year’ permit may be obtainable for people who have already had a one-year permit and who have been ‘serious’ in following any training required as part of their residence agreement (and who do not “reject the essential values of French society and the Republic”).

The president of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Lucy Stensland Laederich, said:
“Anything that makes it easier for people to cross borders and live abroad – rather than making them feel hounded – is a good thing.”

The bill also states that when the new titre runs out, people will be able to request a 10-year permit, on conditions such as basic ability in French.

It also creates a four-year passeport talents. This replaces the three-year titres currently available for people with certain skills and extends the qualifying categories to include, for example, young people taken on by firms classed as particularly ‘innovative’.