France’s Post-arrival Process: Considerations for International Travel Before Obtaining the French Residence Permit

Upon successfully obtaining their work authorisation and visa, individuals relocate to France and establish themselves in a new residence, potentially assuming their immigration process has concluded.

However, further considerations arise if they find themselves in a situation where they must temporarily depart France for professional or personal obligations before receiving their final residence permit.

Questions emerge regarding the permissibility of their departure and, crucially, the feasibility of their re-entry into France upon their return.

Most French long-stay visas are issued for an initial period of three months and require their holders to apply for a residence permit upon arrival in France, while the visa is still valid.

It is important to note that residence permit application processing times can be lengthy, and local French authorities do not currently issue any provisional document that explicitly allows an individual to travel before the application is approved.

Consequently, the situation could become problematic if one plans to travel outside France between the expiration of their visa and the issuance of their residence permit.

Possible scenarios

Two scenarios regarding travel in and out of France can be identified:

1. Long-Stay Visa Validity: If the long-stay visa is still valid, the applicant has the freedom to travel in and out of France as frequently as they wish throughout the visa’s validity.
2. Expired Visa, Pending Residence Permit Application: However, if the visa has expired and the residence permit application is still in process, the situation becomes more complicated.

Travel recommendations

For visa nationals, meaning those who require a visa to enter the Schengen area, international travel poses significant challenges. Re-entering France with an expired visa and no residence permit is not possible. Their sole option for returning to France would involve obtaining a "return visa" from the French Consulate in the country they are visiting. However, securing this visa can be exceptionally difficult, and issuance is never assured.

Non-visa nationals technically have the option to re-enter France based on their valid passport. However, it is advisable to avoid traveling abroad as they may encounter rigorous border checks or controls upon re-entry to France without a valid visa or residence permit approval. Looking ahead, with the upcoming implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2025, it may become even more challenging for non-visa nationals to travel between visa expiration and residence permit approval.

In either case, seeking guidance from an experienced immigration professional before making any travel arrangements is strongly recommended.

Considerations regarding minor children

Contrary to their parent, minor children do not require a residence permit to stay in France. However, this does not exempt them from needing proper documentation for international travel.

They are subject to the same regulations as their parent when traveling internationally and returning to France. Upon arrival in France, they must apply for a travel document known as the Travel Document for Foreign Minors (DCEM). Once the long-stay visa has expired, this document will facilitate their re-entry into France after a trip abroad.

Generally, this document can only be requested once the parent has obtained their residence permit, necessitating careful planning for any future trips.

Need to know more?

For support or queries, please contact Clémence Theron at [email protected]. For broader support regarding French immigration matters, please contact [email protected].

This blog was published on 10 April 2024, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.