Foreign Nationals in France Paying Up to €800 for Residence Permit Appointment Slots

Key Takeaways

1. Support organizations in France report difficulties for foreign nationals in securing residence permit appointments.

2. Applicants are paying up to €800 to intermediaries to book appointments.

3. Citizenship applicants are also paying intermediaries to handle their applications.

Several organizations supporting foreign nationals in France have raised concerns about the difficulties migrants face in securing residence permit appointments. They have explained that available slots are scarce through official channels, prompting many to resort to intermediary companies that charge significant fees for services that are typically free.

According to these organizations, applicants are paying as much as €800 just to secure an appointment for a residence permit. This high fee has been criticized as a form of exploitation, with many considering it a scam.

While this issue has been previously raised by support organizations, the authorities have yet to provide any updates on the measures they are taking to address it.

Citizenship Applicants Facing Similar Challenges Foreign nationals applying for French citizenship are also experiencing similar problems in booking appointments. Reports indicate that applicants are paying up to €1,200 for intermediary services to help with their naturalization process.

One applicant shared that despite paying the hefty sum, her citizenship application was rejected, and she did not receive a refund.

An activist and head of a migrant aid organization expressed frustration with these companies, accusing them of exploiting vulnerable migrants for financial gain.

The Ministry of the Interior in France has urged victims of scams to report the incidents and reminded the public that there are legally recognized companies offering services in accordance with French law.

France to Introduce New Language Requirements for Residence Permit Applicants France is also planning to introduce new language requirements for foreign nationals residing in the country. This change is expected to affect over 300,000 individuals currently living in France. While many are expected to meet the new requirements, around 60,000 people could lose their right to remain in the country if they fail the language test.

The new policy, which is yet to have a confirmed implementation date, will include a written exam. Higher language proficiency will be required for those applying for residence permits with longer validity, while lower proficiency will be accepted for permits valid for two to four years.