Who can I complain to over French Brexit card renewal issues?
Authorities asked for cards to be renewed two months before expiry date
In cases of prolonged processing, it should be possible to ask to renew the récépissé
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Reader question: My son applied for Brexit card renewal (two months before expiry) and the website said his request was accepted. It has now been several months, his card has expired and there is no news. We have tried contacting the prefecture but to no avail. What can we do?
Firstly, if your son received a récépissé slip from the prefecture confirming that his application is valid and is being processed, this officially prolongs the validity of his stay for a stated period, typically for up to six months.
This is generally handed over in person at a meeting, or in some cases has been sent out by post. It officially allows card holders to continue to benefit from the rights associated with their card.
In cases of prolonged processing, it should be possible to ask to renew it.
If he has not received this and you are unable to contact the prefecture, there are several avenues.
For emergencies, Britons can contact the consular service online or by calling 01 44 51 31 00. However, unless your son is at immediate and genuine risk, you should not contact the FCDO this way.
“When there's a problem, when people are particularly vulnerable – that’s when you can get in touch with us,” said British Ambassador Sir Thomas Drew to The Connexion during an interview earlier this year.
Alternatively, France’s Défenseur des Droits (rights defender) service can help people facing issues relating to residency. A list of delegates by department is available here (scroll down to trouver un délégué près de chez vous).
Immigrants’ associations such as Gisti may also be able to help, but in urgent situations are likely to advise contacting an avocat (lawyer) with expertise in immigration or foreigners’ rights (droit des étrangers).
It is worth noting that the Withdrawal Agreement itself gives strong legal protections to Britons who have been in France since before Brexit, especially if they have been here more than five years and have thus acquired permanent residency rights.
