France/French Guiana: Information on the conditions under which a re-entry visa would not be granted to the holder of a carte de résident (residence card) who has the right to live and work in French Guiana until the year 2001, especially if the holder has been out of French Guiana for more than six months
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | FRA20165.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, France/French Guiana: Information on the conditions under which a re-entry visa would not be granted to the holder of a carte de résident (residence card) who has the right to live and work in French Guiana until the year 2001, especially if the holder has been out of French Guiana for more than six months, 1 March 1995, FRA20165.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abbe44.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the Travel Information Manual (TIM), French Guiana is a French département d'outre-mer (Overseas department) and regulations regarding exit and re-entry permits for French Guiana and France are identical (IATA Mar. 1995, 127-28).
An official at the préfecture of French Guiana in Cayenne told the DIRB on 20 March 1995 during a telephone interview that a French consulate or embassy would not issue a re-entry visa to the holder of a valid carte de résident (residence card) who has been out of French Guiana for more than six months if the card holder had been convicted of a criminal offense on French territory (20 Mar. 1995). Otherwise, there would be no restrictions regarding a re-entry visa as it often happens that residence card holders forget to apply for exit and re-entry visas before their departure from French Guiana (ibid.). According to the official, a residence card holder who intends to travel abroad must apply for an exit and re-entry visa the préfecture of French Guiana before his or her departure from French Guiana. This visa is stamped in the person's passport or travel document and will allow the same person to exit and return without having to apply at a French consulate or Embassy abroad in order to return (ibid.). According to TIM, "aliens residing in France should apply to the French authorities ('préfecture' of the 'département' of residence for normal passports; Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic, official or service passports) in order to know whether they need to obtain exit/re-entry permits before leaving France" (Mar. 1995, 127).
Please note that in accordance with article 18 of Ordinance No. 45-2648 of 2 November 1945, as amended by Law No. 93-1027 of 24 August 1993 pertaining to the conditions of entry and sojourn in France, the residence card will be voided if the holder has been absent of France for more than three consecutive years (Documentation-Réfugiés 1993, p. 16). However, the holder can have this three-year period extended if he or she applies for an extension before his departure from France or during his or her sojourn abroad (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 31 August-13 September 1993. No. 224. "L'Ordonnance du 2 novembre 1945 modifiée relative aux conditions d'entrée et de séjour des étrangers en France."
International Air Transport Association (IATA). March 1995. Travel Information Manual. Geneva: International Air Transport Association.
Préfecture of the Département of French Guiana, Cayenne. 20 March 1995. Telephone interview with official.
Attachments
Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 31 August-13 September 1993. No. 224. "L'Ordonnance du 2 novembre 1945 modifiée relative aux conditions d'entrée et de séjour des étrangers en France," pp. 13-24.
Travel Information Manual (TIM). March 1995. Hoofdorp, The Netherlands: International Air Transport Association, pp. 123-28.
