Immigration and nationality law
Immigration or foreign nationals’ law covers French, European, and international legislation regarding entry, residence, and removal of foreigners, citizens of the European Union, or nationals of third countries.
It also includes procedures related to access to French nationality
For a personalized legal solution, Maître Chloé GOUILLON, a lawyer specializing in immigration law, supports you throughout your administrative procedures for settling in France or for your close ones.
I am a foreign national living in France, and I wish to :
Receive advice and assistance to obtain a residence permit, a residence card, a foreign minor’s circulation document, or apply for a change of status.
Receive advice and assistance in applying for family reunification or family reunification procedures.
Be assisted and represented to annul a refusal of residence permit, obligation to leave the territory, a “Dublin” transfer order, assignment to residence, refusal of family reunification, rejection, or delay of French naturalization.
Receive advice and assistance to apply for French naturalization, a certificate of French nationality, or a declaration of French nationality.
I am a foreign national living abroad, and I wish to :
Receive advice and assistance with my procedures to stay, study, or work in France.
Be assisted and represented before the Visa Refusal Appeal Commission or the Administrative Court of Nantes.
Questions you may have
If you are a foreign national over 18 and wish to stay in France for more than 3 months, you must have a long-stay visa or a residence permit; otherwise, you will be considered in an irregular situation.
A residence card is a permit allowing a foreign national to remain in France for 10 years. It can be requested under certain conditions. The main condition is that the individual must not pose a threat to public order. The applicant must also meet one of the following conditions :
- Proof of continuous residence in France for 5 years and sufficient means of subsistence.
- Be married for at least 2 years to a French national.
- Be the parent of a French child residing in France and have held a "parent of a French child" residence card for at least 2 years.
- Have a French parent and be under 21.
- Hold an accident or occupational disease pension from a French organization with a permanent disability rate of 20% or more.
- Have served in a combat unit of the French army or the Foreign Legion for at least 3 years and hold a certificate of good conduct.
- Have been in regular status for more than ten years, except during periods when holding a student residence card.
- Proof of continuous residence in France for 5 years and sufficient means of subsistence.
- Be married for at least 2 years to a French national.
- Be the parent of a French child residing in France and have held a "parent of a French child" residence card for at least 2 years.
- Have a French parent and be under 21.
- Hold an accident or occupational disease pension from a French organization with a permanent disability rate of 20% or more.
- Have served in a combat unit of the French army or the Foreign Legion for at least 3 years and hold a certificate of good conduct.
- Have been in regular status for more than ten years, except during periods when holding a student residence card.
French naturalization is a way to acquire French nationality. It can be requested by any foreign national who meets the following conditions :
- Be over 18 years old.
- Have resided regularly in France for 5 years.
- Hold a residence permit.
- Have their primary family and material interests in France.
- Have sufficient knowledge of the French language and culture.
- Not have a criminal conviction.
- Be over 18 years old.
- Have resided regularly in France for 5 years.
- Hold a residence permit.
- Have their primary family and material interests in France.
- Have sufficient knowledge of the French language and culture.
- Not have a criminal conviction.
Family reunification allows a foreign national residing legally in France to be joined by their family members (spouse and minor children).
To apply for family reunification, the applicant must meet the following conditions :
- Reside regularly in France for at least 18 months.
- Have stable and sufficient resources and suitable accommodation.
- Their spouse must be at least 18 years old at the time of the application.
- Minor children must be under 18 at the time of the application and have established parent-child relations with the applicant or their spouse.
- Reside regularly in France for at least 18 months.
- Have stable and sufficient resources and suitable accommodation.
- Their spouse must be at least 18 years old at the time of the application.
- Minor children must be under 18 at the time of the application and have established parent-child relations with the applicant or their spouse.
Any refusal of entry to France is subject to a written and reasoned decision.
In case of a visa refusal by French consular authorities, an administrative appeal must be filed with the Visa Refusal Appeal Commission in Nantes within 30 days of the refusal notification.
If the appeal is rejected, the Administrative Court of Nantes, which is the only competent authority, can be seized.
In case of a visa refusal by French consular authorities, an administrative appeal must be filed with the Visa Refusal Appeal Commission in Nantes within 30 days of the refusal notification.
If the appeal is rejected, the Administrative Court of Nantes, which is the only competent authority, can be seized.
