French PR | Carte de Resident | Personal Experience from Nanterre Prefecture

List of Documents Required

To apply for a resident card in France, the following documents are commonly required:

1. Birth Certificate: Apostilled and translated to French.
2. Copy of Passport (pages showing civil status, validity dates, entry stamps, and visas). If not, other supporting documents (consular certificate, identity card, consular card, etc.).
3. Proof of address less than 6 months old:
   • Electricity bill (or gas, water, landline phone, internet access) and rental agreement of less than 3 months or rent receipt (if tenant) or housing tax proof (if own property).
   • If hotel accommodation: certificate from the hotelier and invoice for the last month
   • In case of accommodation with an individual: certificate of the host (attestation de l’hébergeant) dated and signed, copy of his/her identity card or resident card, and proof of his domicile if the address of the resident card is no longer up to date.
4. E-photo with code: From a photographer or an approved photo booth machine (photomaton locations).
5. Proof of Tax stamp (to be submitted when receiving the resident card). More details in Timbres Fiscaux: Tax stamp for French resident permits
6. Declaration of non-polygamy: Déclaration sur l’honneur that you do not live in France in a state of polygamy (if you are married and a national of a State authorizing polygamy). An example template is available on Attestation de non-polygamie.pdf 
7. Proof of regular and continuous stay in France for the last 5 years: Resident permits, renewal receipts, school certificates, tax returns, payslips, etc.). Specific details:
   • For European Blue Card holders, part of these 5 years can be spent in another EU country. However, the 2 years preceding the application must be in France.
   • For refugees or subsidiary protection holders, the 5-year period starts from the asylum application date.
8. Proof of your financial resources or couple if married:
   • Sufficient, stable, and regular income proof for the last 5 years: pay slips, French tax returns, pension payment attestations, and work contracts.
   • Your income must reach at least the French minimum wage, SMIC.
   • Social benefits and other allowances are excluded, such as Paje, allocations familiales, complément familial, allocation de logement, AEEH, ASF, ARS, AJPP, RSA, ASS.
   • If receiving AAH (Disabled Adults Allowance) or ASI (Supplementary Disability Allowance), provide supporting documents.
9. Proof of Health insurance: Attestation des droits from Ameli.
10. Proof of republican integration:
    • Declaration of respect for the principles of the French Republic, Contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République. An English translation is available for understanding the French contract.
    • Proof of sufficient French language knowledge (if under 65 years old). A diploma or certification attesting to proficiency in French at a level at least equal to level A2 (updated to B1 gradually across Prefectures) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Please refer to the New language requirements for French resident permits & citizenship.