New long stay visas equivalent to a residence permit
As from June the 1st 2009, holders of long stay visas for France (3 months +) will be exempted from applying for a residence permit (carte de sejour) at the Prefecture.
Who does it concern?
Are affected by this reform:
spouses of French Nationals
visitors
students
employees
temporary workers
Scope of application:
Those provisions apply to the French Departements (France and its overseas departments) and St Pierre and Miquelon. They do not apply for stays in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and Mayotte.
What it means:
As the holder of a long stay visa, you not longer need to apply for a residence permit at the Prefecture.
At the time of visa application, the applicant must enclose the « attestation OFII », document that will then need to be posted within 3 months of arrival in France to the local “Delegation territoriale de l’OFII” - Addresses can be found at the back of the Attestation OFII or online at website of the OFII. Note that this registration process is compulsory and non-compliance will result in the person being considered illegal by the French Authorities.
Holders of those visas are free to travel in all Schengen States for stay up to 3 months within the validity of the visa.
Processing delays of at least a week (depending of the nationality and the purpose of the stay).
What does not change:
The application form;
The supporting documents.
How to apply ?
Please contact the Long Stay Department to arrange an appointment by email at : Ls.LONDRES-FSLT diplomatie.gouv.fr