Confusion over card choice
The best card to apply for is the one allowing the most rights
My son, aged 18, has been with us in France since before he was 13. He studies at university in France. He needs to get his own residency card, but should it be a student card, one for family members of cardholders in the EU, or one for children who came before age 13?
As a general rule, the best card to apply for is the one allowing the most rights, so not an ordinary ‘student’ card, which is aimed at people staying in France specifically for study.
Young family members reaching 18, who have lived with their (non-French) families in France since before age 13, should generally apply for a vie privée et familiale residency card.
Young people in British ‘Withdrawal Agreement’ families (living in France since before Brexit), should apply for a WA card, designed to give a secure status, similar (though not identical) to being an EU citizen. He is entitled to a ‘permanent stay’ card (renewable in 10 years).