Can over-65s become French citizens without passing language tests? A new immigration bill is changing several minimum language rules
Scope of French language tests widens ahead of new residency card requirements A more intermediate language level can now be assessed in Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité (IRN) exams
Act fast on French residency card renewals, says lawyer Legally-speaking, no news from authorities can become a tacit refusal after a certain time
news Culture tests for more applicants as French citizenship rules are toughened New test will come into effect before January 1, 2026
Does the spouse of a Brexit card holder have the right to live in France? Certain residency card holders can bring spouses to France with them
EU-UK mobility deal in sight to help young people visit France Scheme would make travel for studies and exchanges easier for under 30s
French language tests: ‘B1 and B2 are marked very differently - as my 5/25 shows’ American Peyman Pejman tells what he learnt when he asked the examiner about the marking system after he got a low score in part of the B2
Do French language test exemptions for over 65s apply to all residency cards? There has been much confusion over the incoming rules
10 questions you could be asked about French culture and history at nationality test Interior Minister wants a new examination to be introduced rather than the current one during interview
French rules on holding both Brexit and EU residency cards explained Britons cannot hold both Brexit and EU long-term residency cards
Tougher rules for nationality: rights watchdog criticises already ‘complex’ process “The acquisition of nationality is already excessively complicated”
What are the rules for long-stay visas in France? Understanding the criteria and their durations for non-residents
Rules to be toughened for French citizenship, announces minister A new civic knowledge test is to be required as well as more checks on background and personal finances
What is the difference between a visa and a residency card? Exploring the distinctions and processes for visas and residency cards for staying in the country List: Who needs to pass new French language tests for residency? What will happen if French residency card holder is away when EES border checks start? UK and EU move closer to post-Brexit visa deal for young people
Entry/Exit System: How will it work with a temporary French visa? If a person enters France from outside the EU prior to the start of their French visa, they will be logged Brexit cards: what are the rules around passport renewal and residency cards in France? New language tests for French residency cause confusion Entry/Exit System: What happens when travelling to EU with a French spouse? 90/180 days rule: Can visa-free days be used to enter France before start of visa? French interior minister wants to toughen rules for gaining citizenship
Obligatory language tests for French residency: Differences between TEF and TCF We speak to an official language assessment centre about why candidates may prefer the more modern and flexible TEF exam
French residency permits: Must they be handed back when leaving? Permit holders retain rights for a certain number of years
Residency card drop-in clinics available in Nice The prefecture's Point d’information étrangers can help with carte de séjour issues without an appointment
New rules for British dual nationals entering UK: How are those in France affected? Changes will take place due to the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Visa delivery policy review ordered by French PM 'France welcomed more than half a million additional immigrants in 2024 - an unprecedented level', said François Bayrou
New language tests for French residency cards: ways to prove your language level and advantages of each Plus, verify whether an existing professional diploma or training certificate could be accepted as proof
Binationals, French children of Britons: Your questions about April 2 ETA change to visit UK EU citizens now require prior authorisation to visit UK
'My six-month battle to get meeting for French residency card' Long-term American resident of France recounts how difficult it was to get a face-to-face meeting
Woman in France since age 7 ordered to leave due to residency card irregularities The 26-year-old was issued the order despite growing up in France
Official site updated for how to renew post-Brexit French residency cards Residents can swap 5-year for 10-year cards, government update confirms
Will new EU border security rules affect double passport holders? We look at rules if you have two countries’ passports or two from the same country
Second-home owners: French MPs and senators relaunch efforts for visa concessions French lawmakers push for a simpler process for Britons post-Brexit
New French visa processor for Americans: what changes? Appointments will remain available in 10 US cities
French prefecture expels woman for breaching work permit with self-employment Working as a micro-entrepreneur is not permitted under a titre de séjour salarié
I have overstayed the 90 day rule in France. What is going to happen? Rules limit how long travellers can remain in EU without requiring a visa
Nearly 7,000 Britons have been granted French nationality since Brexit The UK consistently ranks among the top five countries for people gaining French citizenship, with 6,863 people acquiring the nationality between 2021 - 2023
Etias travel permit for EU: April 2027 earliest date for enforcement ‘Transition’ and ‘grace’ periods will potentially help travellers who have not applied for online authorisation scheme: we explain
Will EES affect travel rules for spouses of French citizens? Spouses have additional rights to remain in the EU
Can I split my employment on a seasonal worker visa? How to legally adjust your seasonal work pattern across different seasons with a single visa
Obligatory language tests for French residency cards: do age exemptions apply? Rules are set to come in before January 2026
Are the start dates of French visas flexible? Entering France before or after your visa's start date is possible, with specific conditions and requirements
French residency cards and obligatory new language tests: list of online resources to help We look at how you can prepare for TCF, TEF and DELF language exams
Is seasonal work possible in France under the 90/180 days rule? Only some sectors are permitted to hire people without a valid work visa
US to offer ‘golden visas’ - does France have a similar programme? Several European countries offer ‘golden visas’ to investors
Is it possible for French border officials to stop stamping passport as it is almost full? Passports need one blank page on them when travelling
Is there a simple renewal process for six-month French visas? Second-home owners are required to obtain visas for extended visits to properties in France
Language tests for French residency cards: examples of questions asked Language tests will need to be taken by Britons, Americans and other non-EU nationalities applying for certain cards
Homeowners in France lobby for six-month visa free travel Camapaigners helped push French authorities for an automatic visa for second-home owners last year
How many Britons and Americans got their first French visa or residency card in 2024? Provisional figures for 2024 show around three million were delivered in total to all nationalities
French residency card system 'dysfunctional' says immigration lawyer 'If people need lawyers more and more, it means the procedures are more complex so they can’t do it themselves.'
Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests ‘There will always be some who say the new level is too high, but the current A1 requirement is insufficient to integrate successfully, for example for work. It’s extremely basic.’
New language tests for French residency cards: Eight key questions The new rules are expected to come into effect this year
Obligatory new French tests for some residency cards: is level too tough? The tests are reported to cost around €100 to take
Will French citizenship application be affected by studying in UK? Residency in France is usually required for citizenship applications
Can a French residency card holder buy a second-home in EU and spend time there? Beware of over-extending your stay in another country
2024 official residency card statistics released: how many Americans and Britons are moving to France? The number of new residency cards issued has increased overall
Is it possible to apply for French citizenship while living outside France? Applicants by marriage must speak and write French to a certain level
What is the purpose of the EU’s 90/180 days rule that applies in France? Regulation has taken on more significance for UK residents since Brexit
Faster health check for Britons moving to France Senior Ofii official explains immigration medical checks can now be completed by a GP to reduce post-Brexit waiting times
Will French children of British citizens need ETA to enter the UK? All non-British and non-Irish citizens entering the UK will soon need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation
Renewing a Brexit WA residency card early in France Many five-year cards are due for renewal in 2025, with holders eligible for ten year cards
No ETA permit needed for Americans and others only transiting in UK However, the fee for those who do need ETAs is likely to rise
Is it possible to use different passports to enter and leave France and the UK? Border security rules are coming into force across Europe and UK which will see non-citizens registering to enter countries
Will stricter language tests for some French residency cards start in July 2025? New immigration bill may affect rollout
How long do French residency rights last if you move away? We spoke to EU experts who explain residency card expiry rules due to 'absence' from France
Letters: Long-stay visas in France ‘are not as easy as minister claimed’ Senator Berthet is asking for a simplified visa process for British second-home owners in France
Foreign workers in France may struggle to close self-employment accounts Discover solutions for closing an Urssaf social security account if you lack French ID
Must French residency permit holders get a traveller’s visa to go through UK airport? Digital border security systems in the UK will come into force more widely in 2025
French ‘Brexit’ residency cards up for renewal in 2025: is process known yet? Holders will be able to upgrade to a ten-year version of the card
French officials consider ideas to help second-home owners An automatic conferral of long-stay rights may pose legal issues
Residency rights and border changes: What's new in France in 2025 Language requirements for residency cards will get tougher, and border security changes are set to be implemented
Three charged with taking bribes to provide false French tests for residency cards The charges relate to the test de connaissance du français. It is thought that more than 250 applicants could be involved in a region of west France
IT problems and digitalisation of French residency cards ‘causing issues’ Some applicants reported to face a ‘serious infringement of rights’ during residency process
Confirmed: EU states EES border changes will not start this year The potential for long Christmas/New Year queues has been averted
What are the income rules for self-employed people coming to France? People must show their business is economically viable to be granted a visa
How long can someone remain outside of France before residency permit is invalid? You must correctly inform authorities if leaving the country
French prefecture rejects Briton's long-stay EU residency card request European guidelines show the applicant should have received the permit. We look at the rules surrounding the carte de résident de longue-durée - EU card
Briton applies for French residency card and finds he was adopted - and has siblings ‘We look very much alike, with the same personality,’ said 79-year-old after meeting his half-brother
Does 90/180 day rule affect visiting France if I have Spanish residency? Rules on spending too long in another EU country are in place for everyone
British woman warns of struggle to report lost residency card The issue was compounded by the difficulty in getting a face-to-face meeting at the prefecture