France: Whether a ten-year residence permit issued in France may not be renewed because the holder cannot speak French or has health problems
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 22 January 2009 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | FRA102985.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, France: Whether a ten-year residence permit issued in France may not be renewed because the holder cannot speak French or has health problems, 22 January 2009, FRA102985.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a70409723.html [accessed 3 June 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. |
The ten-year residence permit (carte de resident) allows new migrants to reside and work legally in France (SOS-Net n.d.a.). It is renewable after ten years (ibid.).
French language requirement
The French government's Service-Public.fr website indicates that residence permits are renewable automatically unless i) the permit holder lives in a polygamous situation in France, ii) the residence permit is allowed to expire or iii) the permit holder is guilty of certain crimes against a minor (France 6 Aug. 2007). A representative from the National Agency for the Reception of Foreigners and Migration (Agence nationale de l'accueil des étrangers et des migrations, ANAEM), a French government agency that "welcomes and supports aliens when they move to France" (France n.d.), stated in 2 December 2008 correspondence that the renewal of a ten-year residence permit is nearly automatic unless the permit holder poses a danger to the public order. Competence in French is not a factor for the renewal of the residence permit. (France 2 Dec. 2008).
However, a new immigrant may have to demonstrate competence in French or attend language training as a condition for issuance of an initial residence permit (France Aug. 2008). Between 1 July 2003 and 1 January 2007, the government of France phased in a pilot project that required new immigrants to sign a reception and integration contract (contrat d'accueil et d'intégration, CAI), which includes provisions on language skills (France 30 Nov. 2006). Since 1 January 2007, all new migrants have been required to sign a CAI (France 2 July 2007; ADAI 12 Nov. 2008). The CAI outlines the values of the French Republic, the commitment of the state towards the newcomer and the responsibilities of the newcomer towards French society (France Aug. 2008). According to the Association for the Development of Integration Initiatives (Association pour le développement des actions d'insertion, ADAI), a Marseilles-based organization that facilitates the integration of disadvantaged populations(ADAI n.d.), the CAI is applicable only to new immigrants (ADAI 12 Nov. 2008).
Health problems
Two oral sources, a representative of ANAEM and a lawyer who provides content for the SOS-Net website, both stated that the renewal of a ten-year residence permit cannot be refused for health reasons (France 2 Dec. 2008; Droit pour tous / SOS-Net 1 Dec. 2008). SOS-Net is a French website containing a collection of legal information that is free and open to the public (SOS-Net n.d.b.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Association pour le développement des actions d'insertion (ADAI). 12 November 2008. "Contrat d'accueil et d'intégration cai."
_____. N.d. "Qui sommes-nous?"
Droit pour tous / SOS-Net. 1 December 2008. Correspondence with a lawyer from a legal firm that developed the SOS-Net website.
France. 2 December 2008. Agence nationale de l'accueil des étrangers et des migrations (ANAEM). Correspondence from a representative.
_____. August 2008. Agence nationale de l'accueil des étrangers et des migrations (ANAEM). "Contrat d'accueil et d'intégration."
_____. 6 August 2007. Service-Public.fr. "Renouvellement de la carte de résident ou 'résident de longue durée – CE'."
_____. 2 July 2007. Service-Public.fr. "Objet, nature du contrat d'accueil et d'intégration et publics concernés."
_____. 30 November 2006. Agence nationale de l'accueil des étrangers et des migrations (ANAEM). Juillet 2003 – novembre 2006 : 200 000 contrats d'accueil et d'intégration signés.
_____. N.d. Agence nationale de l'accueil des étrangers et des migrations (ANAEM). "Missions."
SOS-Net. N.d.a. "La carte de résident de 10 ans et la carte de résident permanent."
_____. N.d.b. " Pourquoi avons-nous créé SOS-Net?"
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: A deputy consul at the French Consulate in Montréal did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response.
Internet sites, including: Fédération des associations de solidarité avec les travailleurs immigrés (FASTI); France – Ministère du travail, des relations sociales, de la famille et de la solidarité; Légifrance.
