Renewal of titre de sejour

[schrader.bouchayer]

I have a Titre de Sejour that expires May 1 2009. My French born wife passed away last September. Unfortunately, because she handled all the paperwork, I did not pay attention to the process for this card. I also have a carte Vitale, dated October 7, 2008.

My address is Rue des Archives, in the fourth A. I am retired.

Since she passed away, I am not concerned with citizenship (we were married less than three years) so I believe the four year marrage requirement is moot and I have a ten year residency requirement. Correct?

I am currently taking 200 hours required French Classes which we scheduled with the goal of renewing my card for ten years. The earliest I could take the exam for language skills is after the expiration date of my card. Therefore I must get another one year card. Correct?

How. Whom do I call? Where do I go? Do I need a new physical? What forms and personal documents will I need at each step. What is the cost. How many pictures? Do I need any of my late wife's documents (familly book, certified marrage certificate, her death certificate)?

For me, are my current card, my passport, my card vitale, and proof of domicile still on Rue des Archives, three black and white 3.5 x4.5 passport photos in black & white all I need? Proof of finances, bank statement, etc?

What is the timtable to complete the process.

Where must I go in person? Do I need to make appointments.

Or should I just go to the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris and grovel or help?

I primarilly live in the states, shuttling back and forth every 59 or less days. I believe this is required for the one year card, not to be out of country formore than 60 days? Correct?

Bottom line, now I am doing this whole process for the Carte Vitale benefits for medical and Rx.

Ultimately my qustion is what must I do to keep this carte valid.

[Bevdeforges]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I kind of doubt that the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris can help you. The Consulate can't really do much for you, either. What you need to do is to go to the mairie of the 4th arrondissement and ask them how to renew your carte de séjour. Chances are, they'll send you to the local préfecture - but I've found that the people in the mairie really like it when you ask them for help first. Often, you can get someone there to make a list of what documents you will need to take to the préfecture with you.

Don't give them any details about your situation unless they ask you specific questions. Just show them your card that is coming up on expiration and ask them what you have to do to renew it.

It may take a couple trips to the préfecture. I have yet to ever succeed in getting them to accept my application on the first go. (I think it's something in the fonctionnaire's code that they have to ask for one more piece of paper even if you have everything on the list they provided for you.)

Is your carte vitale in your name? Or were you on your wife's card as a dependent? I think to remain eligible for that you have to somehow be paying into to the cotisation system. If you're receiving a pension based on your wife's eligibility, that should do it. Normally you should be able to get your carte vitale re-validated at the pharmacy, where they have a card reader that will also update your eligibility information.
Cheers,
Bev

[schrader.bouchayer]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I kind of doubt that the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris can help you. The Consulate can't really do much for you, either. What you need to do is to go to the mairie of the 4th arrondissement and ask them how to renew your carte de séjour. Chances are, they'll send you to the local préfecture - but I've found that the people in the mairie really like it when you ask them for help first. Often, you can get someone there to make a list of what documents you will need to take to the préfecture with you.

Don't give them any details about your situation unless they ask you specific questions. Just show them your card that is coming up on expiration and ask them what you have to do to renew it.

It may take a couple trips to the préfecture. I have yet to ever succeed in getting them to accept my application on the first go. (I think it's something in the fonctionnaire's code that they have to ask for one more piece of paper even if you have everything on the list they provided for you.)

Is your carte vitale in your name? Or were you on your wife's card as a dependent? I think to remain eligible for that you have to somehow be paying into to the cotisation system. If you're receiving a pension based on your wife's eligibility, that should do it. Normally you should be able to get your carte vitale re-validated at the pharmacy, where they have a card reader that will also update your eligibility information.
Cheers,
Bev

Carte vitale is in my name. My late worked all over the world, mostly not in France. She always kept her card, although had been in the states for almst 20 years. I am not sure how she managed to get me a separate card in my name.

[southernguy]

I have heard stories regarding a requirement to satisfy 400 hours of french to renew your initial carte sejour. I was not told to do this when my carte sejour was issued. In fact, i was not told to do anything. I would like to know whether your advice would be to do this "400 hours" of french and since i heard it was free where do i go to get it? Would it be wise to go to the Prefecture and ask them?

If i continue to renew my carte sejour, will it only be issued for a one year period each time or after a few times do i receive a 5 or 10 year carte sejour?

Originally Posted by schrader.bouchayer

I have a Titre de Sejour that expires May 1 2009. My French born wife passed away last September. Unfortunately, because she handled all the paperwork, I did not pay attention to the process for this card. I also have a carte Vitale, dated October 7, 2008.

My address is Rue des Archives, in the fourth A. I am retired.

Since she passed away, I am not concerned with citizenship (we were married less than three years) so I believe the four year marrage requirement is moot and I have a ten year residency requirement. Correct?

I am currently taking 200 hours required French Classes which we scheduled with the goal of renewing my card for ten years. The earliest I could take the exam for language skills is after the expiration date of my card. Therefore I must get another one year card. Correct?

How. Whom do I call? Where do I go? Do I need a new physical? What forms and personal documents will I need at each step. What is the cost. How many pictures? Do I need any of my late wife's documents (familly book, certified marrage certificate, her death certificate)?

For me, are my current card, my passport, my card vitale, and proof of domicile still on Rue des Archives, three black and white 3.5 x4.5 passport photos in black & white all I need? Proof of finances, bank statement, etc?

What is the timtable to complete the process.

Where must I go in person? Do I need to make appointments.

Or should I just go to the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris and grovel or help?

I primarilly live in the states, shuttling back and forth every 59 or less days. I believe this is required for the one year card, not to be out of country formore than 60 days? Correct?

Bottom line, now I am doing this whole process for the Carte Vitale benefits for medical and Rx.

Ultimately my qustion is what must I do to keep this carte valid.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by southernguy

I have heard stories regarding a requirement to satisfy 400 hours of french to renew your initial carte sejour. I was not told to do this when my carte sejour was issued. In fact, i was not told to do anything. I would like to know whether your advice would be to do this "400 hours" of french and since i heard it was free where do i go to get it? Would it be wise to go to the Prefecture and ask them?

If i continue to renew my carte sejour, will it only be issued for a one year period each time or after a few times do i receive a 5 or 10 year carte sejour?

Depends when your first carte de séjour was issued. Since the beginning of last year (I think) they have been requiring all foreigners being issued a first carte de séjour to sign a "contrat d'accueil et d'intégration" which indicates what language training and/or "civic and social" classes you are expected to attend. The process is still kind of under development, but you can find out more about it at the Service Public site (SERVICE PUBLIC - Particuliers). The 400 hours of language classes are offered to those whose French is considered to be in need of work, as assessed by the consulate at the time the original visa was granted.

While the civics-social classes are supposed to be open to carte de séjour holders who didn't sign a contract on a space-available basis, the language classes seem to be pretty much limited to those who signed the contract. You could ask at the préfecture to see if they'll let you into one of the classes.
Cheers,
Bev

[southernguy]

I just received my first carte sejour...and i am unaware of any such contat d'accueil et d'integration that i signed...is this an unknown in some Prefectures since it is so new?
So you recommend i actually bring to the Prefectures' attention that i would like to do the 400 hours of french language?

What other requirements are a usual requisite in the "contrat d'accueil et d'integration.

Am i expected to have done certain things to prove up at my next carte sejour renewal?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Depends when your first carte de séjour was issued. Since the beginning of last year (I think) they have been requiring all foreigners being issued a first carte de séjour to sign a "contrat d'accueil et d'intégration" which indicates what language training and/or "civic and social" classes you are expected to attend. The process is still kind of under development, but you can find out more about it at the Service Public site (SERVICE PUBLIC - Particuliers). The 400 hours of language classes are offered to those whose French is considered to be in need of work, as assessed by the consulate at the time the original visa was granted.

While the civics-social classes are supposed to be open to carte de séjour holders who didn't sign a contract on a space-available basis, the language classes seem to be pretty much limited to those who signed the contract. You could ask at the préfecture to see if they'll let you into one of the classes.
Cheers,
Bev

[schrader.bouchayer]

Originally Posted by southernguy

I have heard stories regarding a requirement to satisfy 400 hours of french to renew your initial carte sejour. I was not told to do this when my carte sejour was issued. In fact, i was not told to do anything. I would like to know whether your advice would be to do this "400 hours" of french and since i heard it was free where do i go to get it? Would it be wise to go to the Prefecture and ask them?

If i continue to renew my carte sejour, will it only be issued for a one year period each time or after a few times do i receive a 5 or 10 year carte sejour?

As part of the process of getting my initial card, they examined me verbally regarding french proficiency, of which I had none. I was told I would have to pass a writen exam and as a prerequisite would have to attend 200 hours of classes. This was at the same location as my chest x-ray. I think they have discontinued 400 hours of classes very recently. Several in my class who have been in France for longer periods, were still under the 400 requirement.

To get a ten year card, I will have to pass the exam, results to be mailed to you in approximately 2 months. I also was required as part of my compact had to attend a one day school on French Government, essentialy what we call civics, necessary for the ten year card. The ten year card is based upon "having assimilated ones self into France." Hence they can keep renewing you for one year periodsuntil they choose to issue the ten yar card. Or so I am told.

[southernguy]

Where did you receive your carte sejour...interestingly enough i wasn't asked to do any of this...where did you get the specific info for the 200 hours of french and does that class examine you or do you get examined at the Prefecture? How often do you go to class and how long is each class...is it free..and do you buy books for the class?
Also where did you get the info on the French Govt class requisite...do you suggest to take it upon yourself and do this even if not asked to? Would any Prefecture be interested in you one showing that you did this?
Thanks


[

QUOTE=schrader.bouchayer;106263]As part of the process of getting my initial card, they examined me verbally regarding french proficiency, of which I had none. I was told I would have to pass a writen exam and as a prerequisite would have to attend 200 hours of classes. This was at the same location as my chest x-ray. I think they have discontinued 400 hours of classes very recently. Several in my class who have been in France for longer periods, were still under the 400 requirement.

To get a ten year card, I will have to pass the exam, results to be mailed to you in approximately 2 months. I also was required as part of my compact had to attend a one day school on French Government, essentialy what we call civics, necessary for the ten year card. The ten year card is based upon "having assimilated ones self into France." Hence they can keep renewing you for one year periodsuntil they choose to issue the ten yar card. Or so I am told.[/QUOTE]

[Bevdeforges]

Take a look at my response over on your other thread. (Maybe I should look into what I have to do to "merge" these two threads... )

schrader.bouchayer mentioned somewhere on this thread, I think, that he was married to a French national. They'll test your French in France if this is your case. Otherwise (or so they say) you have to have your level of French tested at the Consulate during the interview required for your visa.

It sounds like you managed to get a carte de séjour without having had a visa. (Been there, done that...) That, along with the type of carte de séjour you hold, accounts for why you weren't asked to sign the contract of integration.

A friend of mine (also married to a French national) was taking the free French classes. They run all day (though she got to cut that to a half day, based on a medical excuse) Monday through Friday, and they seem to just put everyone needing the classes together, regardless of level. The French have their own method for teaching languages, which doesn't work for everyone. While the classes are free, they may or may not be your best option. There are mairies and associations that offer low-cost French classes for foreigners that could work out better for you in the long run. Ask around.
Cheers,
Bev

[southernguy]

At the risk of being a bit off topic, do you know anything about purchasing a flat in France...if i were to purchase one do i risk not getting a renewal of my carte sejour or do property owners have any guarantees to get a continual carte sejour? In other words, it would be foolish to purchase property in France if you couldn't live there if it were your primary residence.

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Take a look at my response over on your other thread. (Maybe I should look into what I have to do to "merge" these two threads... )

schrader.bouchayer mentioned somewhere on this thread, I think, that he was married to a French national. They'll test your French in France if this is your case. Otherwise (or so they say) you have to have your level of French tested at the Consulate during the interview required for your visa.

It sounds like you managed to get a carte de séjour without having had a visa. (Been there, done that...) That, along with the type of carte de séjour you hold, accounts for why you weren't asked to sign the contract of integration.

A friend of mine (also married to a French national) was taking the free French classes. They run all day (though she got to cut that to a half day, based on a medical excuse) Monday through Friday, and they seem to just put everyone needing the classes together, regardless of level. The French have their own method for teaching languages, which doesn't work for everyone. While the classes are free, they may or may not be your best option. There are mairies and associations that offer low-cost French classes for foreigners that could work out better for you in the long run. Ask around.
Cheers,
Bev