France is a prominent member of the European Union since 1958, having one of the strongest passports in the world. A bearer of a French passport can travel to more than 150 countries visa-free, making it the 4th most mobile passport in the world.
Foreigners can obtain a French passport through the process called naturalization. It involves multiple stages over 10 years. Though foreigners can stay in France indefinitely based on a permanent residence permit; however, French citizenship allows the bearer to vote, hold a public office, have freedom of movement across the EU, and other major rights that a residence permit bearer does not enjoy.
French residence permit
The Carte de Resident or the resident permit is valid for 10 years and can be renewed. A French resident permit is issued to foreigners under the following conditions:
- An applicant is married to a French citizen for at least 3 years (one year if the applicant is a Tunisian national)
- Children under the age of 21 are dependent on a French national
- Reuniting with family members who are French citizens or have a residence card
- Born in France to a foreign couple
- Refugees or stateless people and their family members
- Retirees who wish to settle in France and have enough evidence to support their wish
Note that the first French residence card is conditional on the applicant’s knowledge of the French language, culture, and the guiding principles of French society.
French citizenship
The next step in the process is to obtain citizenship. The resident must spend at least 5 continuous years in France and prove beyond doubt that he/she has integrated into the French society. Knowing the French language, the country’s culture, and responsibilities as a citizen are a few things that are assessed while awarding citizenship.
French citizenship can be applied at the nearest town hall known as French Prefecture. The town hall will provide the list of documents required varying from case to case. Documents mentioned below are usually sought.
- 2 copies of the French nationality application form
- Copies of ID card of applicant and family
- Registered address in France
- Birth certificate (to be translated to French language and certified)
- Marriage certificate (not older than 3 months)
- Declaration of honor (signed by applicant and spouse and witnessed by a representative of the town hall)
- Evidence of relationship
- Proof the spouse is a French citizen
- Evidence of birth in France, if applying by claiming the birthright
- Marriage certificates of previous marriages, if applicable
- Proof that the applicant has lived in France for at least 3 years after marriage
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support decent livelihood (adequate to the French social standards)
Obtaining the passport
A citizenship card and a French passport are two forms of ID that a citizen is allotted upon obtaining French citizenship. The Nationale d’Identite or the national identity card allows the bearer to move freely across the EU states, while the passport is compulsory to visit the countries outside the EU region.
Among a myriad of benefits of having a French passport, a few important ones are listed below:
- Allowing the bearer to travel in and out of France as often as the bearer wishes, provided the passport has not exceeded the validity period
- Visa-free travel to more than 150 countries across the globe
- Live and work in any EU state for as long as the bearer wishes
- Enjoy dual nationalities, provided the home country has no laws against it
Note that the eligibility for a passport is dependent on French citizenship. The applicant must have lived at least 10 years in total to become a naturalized citizen of France; resident, citizenship, leads to a passport. The issuance of a passport may take up to seven working days. The validity of the passport is 10 years, and the process to apply for renewal is similar to the application process.
