Residency rights in France

Having doubts about your right to stay in France if you leave your violent partner can make you feel trapped. Try not to feel discouraged, there are solutions.

Our immigration questionnaire is designed to help you determine what French residency rights you could apply for.

This questionnaire is only for people currently in France, with or without valid residency rights.

The questionnaire is completely anonymous.

This is a general assessment and is not intended to replace professional advice. Professionals can examine your situation and propose personalised solutions.

Check your eligibility

Applying for asylum in France

Applying for asylum is a process that allows people born outside of France to obtain refugee status or subsidiary protection against persecution or the risk of persecution in their country of origin.

Request a document called a “visa de retour” in the event of theft or loss of your “titre de séjour” abroad

If you are not in France at the moment and you lose or have your “titre de séjour” residence permit stolen, you can request a document called a re-entry visa or “visa de retour” from the French consulate so you can return to France.

Requesting a document called a “duplicata” or duplicate in the event of theft or loss of your “titre de séjour” in France

If you have a valid immigration document called a “titre de séjour” and it has been stolen or lost while you are in France, you can request a document called a “duplicata” from the local administrative authority.

If you do not wish to test your eligibility by completing our anonymous immigration questionnaire, below you can browse by the main criteria or “fondements” that might allow you to obtain French residency rights. These also include several options for people who have been confronted by domestic abuse.

These only apply to people already in France.

If none of these criteria apply to you, you can consult an immigration professional who will examine your situation and determine what other options you might have.

Residency rights with an “ordonnance de protection”

A "titre de sejour" or residence permit is granted to people who have received a protection order or "ordonnance de protection" from a French judge, whether due to domestic violence or the threat of a forced marriage.

Residency rights for people married to a French citizen and who have experienced domestic violence or a polygamous situation

People married to a French citizen and who came to France or have residency rights in France as a result of their marriage, can retain their residency rights if they stop living with their spouse because they have experienced domestic violence or a polygamous situation.

Highlighting the violence that you have experienced without being married

If you are a French civil partnership known as “Pacs” or in a domestic partnership and your residence permit or “titre de séjour”, is based on the condition that you live with your partner, you can highlight the domestic violence you have experienced and you might be able to retain your residency rights in the event of separation.

Residency rights for people who benefit from family reunification or “regroupement familial” and experienced domestic violence

People who benefit from family reunification rights or “regroupement familial” can retain their residency rights if they stop living with their spouse because they have experienced domestic violence.

Residency rights for partners of a citizen of the European Union and who have experienced domestic violence

Partners of a citizen of the European Union can retain their residency rights if they took the initiative to stop living with their spouse because they have experienced domestic violence.

Residency rights for partners of people who benefit from international protection and experience domestic violence

Partners of people who benefit from international protection can retain their residency rights when they stop living with their partner if they have experienced domestic violence.

Residency rights for parents of French children

A residence permit or “titre de séjour” can be issued if you are the parent of at least one French child under the age of 18 who lives in France and if you contribute to their maintenance and education.

Residency rights for people with strong personal and family ties in France

A residence permit or “titre de séjour”, can be issued to people living in France if they can demonstrate that they have sufficiently long-lasting, close and stable personal and family ties in France.

Residency rights for people who are ill

A residence permit or “titre de séjour” can be issued to people who are ill and need to receive medical care in France.

Residency rights when accompanying a minor who is ill

A residence permit or “titre de séjour” can be issued to any person accompanying a sick child who needs medical care in France. This could be their mother, father or someone else with parental authority.

Residency rights linked to working in France

A residence permit or “titre de séjour”, can be issued to individuals who have an employment contract in France, whether they already have a “titre de séjour” or not.

Residency rights linked to starting a business in France

A residence permit or “titre de séjour” can be issued to individuals who already have residency rights and want to work independently or set up their own business in France.

Residency rights for victims of human trafficking or the sex trade

A residence permit or “titre de séjour”, might be issued to individuals who cooperate with the justice system via a complaint or testimony regarding acts of human trafficking and/or the sex trade .

Residency rights for people leaving prostitution

A document granting the right to remain in France, known as a “titre de séjour”, or residence permit, might be issued to individuals who are leaving a situation involving prostitution and who are following a specific programme with an organisation specifically authorised to manage it, known as an “association agréée”.

Residency rights for people who have lived in France for more than ten years

A residence permit or “titre de séjour”, can be issued to individuals who can prove that they have lived in France without interruption for more than 10 years, with or without residency rights.

Right of asylum

The right of asylum is a right allowing people born outside of France to obtain refugee status or subsidiary protection against persecution or the risk of persecution in their country of origin.

The conditions for applying for a “carte de résident” or resident card after three or five years in France

If you have been living in France with valid residency rights for at least five years, or just three years for certain nationalities, you can request a residence permit known as a “carte de résident” which is valid for ten years. It might be issued to you if you meet certain conditions.

Testimonials

We left Japan to be closer to my French husband's family. The violence started soon after our arrival. Unfortunately, as my children now lived in France, I was not allowed to leave the country with them, according to French law. My residence permit was sponsored by my spouse, so I was afraid of being deported far from my children if I left him. I then discovered that there was a specific residence permit for victims of domestic violence and that since my children are French and go to school, I could stay in France. Today, several years later, I am happy that I did not give up. My children and I are now safe and I have a lovely new husband who treats me and the children with respect and kindness.

“Aïko” - Japan - 42 years old

I was here illegally, and my partner started using that against me. The violence became extreme, but I felt helpless. He told me that he was my only chance to stay in France and threatened to report me to authorities if I left him. Fortunately, even without papers, I was able to obtain a protection order, which gave me the right to a residence permit. I am relieved to have been able to get my papers and not to feel anxious all the time. These days, I happen to see him because we have friends in common, but I like to look him in the eye and show him that he has not kept his dominance over me. I am stronger than that.

“Leïla” - Algeria - 26 years old

When I arrived in France, I overstayed my tourist visa and was here, I guess… as an illegal immigrant. I couldn't go home for many reasons that I don't want to talk about. I had no money and no right to work. So I worked as a sex worker for several years. When I wanted to stop, I discovered that you could receive a residence permit if you were accompanied by an association specilaised in getting people out of prostitution. They advised me and helped me through the process. Today, I found a new job, and I was able to get a long-term visa.

“Beth” - United States - 55 years old