10-year resident card (carte de résident)

Depending on your situation, you may qualify for a 10-year resident card (carte de résident), either as your first residence permit (titre de séjour) or after a temporary or multi-year card. It lets you live and work in France. You apply online or at your local préfecture, depending on your situation.

Civic exam

If you apply as the spouse of a French national, you must pass the civic exam (examen civique), « carte de résident » version, for your first card; you are exempt if you are over 65.

Practise the civic exam

French level

If you apply as the spouse of a French national, you need B1 French for your first card; you are exempt if you are over 65.

Steps

You are married to a French national

Prepare the documents for your application.
Apply through the ANEF online portal between 4 and 2 months before your current stay document expires.
Pay 350 € using the timbre fiscal tax stamp (timbre fiscal), and provide proof of payment when you collect your card.
Collect your card from your local préfecture or sous-préfecture once you are told it is ready.

You are the parent of a French child

Prepare the documents for your application.
Apply through the ANEF online portal between 4 and 2 months before your current stay document expires.
Pay 350 € using the timbre fiscal tax stamp (timbre fiscal), and provide proof of payment when you collect your card.
Collect your card from your local préfecture or sous-préfecture once you are told it is ready.

You have refugee status

Apply through the ANEF online portal between 4 and 2 months before your current stay document expires.
Collect your card from your local préfecture or sous-préfecture once you are told it is ready.

You have stateless status

Check your préfecture’s website: most préfectures require an appointment.
Apply at your local préfecture or sous-préfecture 2 months before your VLS-TS or residence permit (titre de séjour) expires.
Collect your card from your local préfecture or sous-préfecture once you are told it is ready.

Documents to bring

You are married to a French national

You are the parent of a French child

You have refugee status

Provide your e-photo code.
Provide the Ofpra or CNDA decision granting you refugee status.
Your civil-status certificate is sent by Ofpra to the préfecture.
Provide a justificatif de domicile (proof of address) less than 6 months old, or a domiciliation declaration.
If you are married and a national of a country allowing polygamy, provide a sworn statement that you do not practise polygamy in France.
Provide your signed commitment to respect the principles of the Republic.

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Key facts

If you are married to a French national, your card lets you live and work in France without your employer requesting work authorisation (autorisation de travail).
If you are married to a French national, your card is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.
If you are married to a French national, your card becomes invalid if you leave France for more than 3 consecutive years.
If you hold refugee, stateless or subsidiary protection status, your first card, replacement card and renewal are free.
Different rules apply if you are European, Algerian or from a country with a migration agreement with France.

When to renew

Apply online between 4 and 2 months before your stay document expires.
Apply at your local préfecture or sous-préfecture 2 months before your VLS-TS or residence permit (titre de séjour) expires.
Apply at your local préfecture or sous-préfecture 2 months before your visa or residence permit (titre de séjour) expires.

Renewal planner · the end date of your permit gives the filing window