On Tuesday, France's Journal Officiel published several decrees related to the new immigration law, which passed in January 2024, outlining start-dates and details of several important aspects of the law.
The law - passed after a major political row - ushers in a host of changes for foreigners including language tests and 'integration classes'. Although the law passed back in January, until now the start date for the new rules has not been known.
Explained: What France's new immigration law means for foreigners in France
One of the most high-profile clauses that is now in effect is the contract to 'respect the values of the Republic' - failing to do so can lead to a residency card being rejected or withdrawn.
Other decrees published on Tuesday focus on asylum seekers, from rules about when a person denied asylum must leave France and when an asylum seeker can be placed under house arrest if they are deemed a threat to public safety.
Meanwhile, one decree details new rules for processing and holding onto sensitive online data for visa applications, and another relates to a fee for companies and individuals who employ foreign nationals who are not authorised to work in France.
What is the republican contract?
This is a contract that must be signed as part of the process for requesting or renewing a carte de séjour residency card.
It is essentially a piece of paper presented that you will need to sign. Unlike applications for French citizenship, there is no test and applicants will not be quizzed on any aspects of the republic.
Who has to do it?
Most people will have to sign the contract at some point. It includes people on all types of cartes de séjour - from temporary cards to multi-year (pluriannuelle) and long-term residency statuses (carte de résident).
For those living in France who already have a carte de séjour, the contract will have to be signed next time they renew their card.
A translated version of the contract will be made available if necessary.
There are, however, some exceptions (listed below) and they mostly affect people who are on short-term residency permits, basically because this is targeted at people who intend to make France their home.
The contract will not be required in order to initially secure a visa - most new arrivals in France will first apply for a visa from outside France, and then after arriving in France will request a carte de séjour (exactly when they apply for the card depends on the type of visa) - it's at the stage of applying for the residency card that signing the contract is required.
READ MORE: What is the difference between a French 'carte de séjour' and a visa?
Who is exempt?
The decree states that some groups will never be required to sign the contract, including foreign nationals with a visa lasting three to 12 months with the note "exemption temporaire de carte de séjour" (temporary exemption from residence permit requirement); foreigners on the 'vacances-travail' (working holiday) visa, and those aged between 17-30 on the volunteer.
Brits who hold the Brexit carte de séjour known as the WARP or Article 50 TUE should also be exempt, since they are not covered by the section of law that this bill changes. Some Article 50 TUE holders will need to swap their five-year card for a 10-year-card some time from 2026 - this swap should not require the signing of the republican contract.
Brits who moved to France after 2021 and are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement do not have an exemption.
Additionally, Algerian nationals, certain Tunisian nationals, Moroccan nationals with 'salarié' (worker) status, and those under 'temporary protection' (asylum seekers) have the option of including the contract, but they are not required.
However, the French government website says that signing it shows 'commitment to French values'.
How do I include it in my application?
According to the ANEF website, which handles renewals and applications for residency cards, you must download the contract, sign it, and then include it in the 'Justificatifs' (Supporting documents) section under the 'Justificatifs de domicile' (Proof of address) portion.
You can download the contract HERE, and at the bottom you sign it by including where it was signed, the date, your printed first name and surname, as well as your signature.
What does the contract say?
You can read the first few lines below.
READ MORE: The 'French values' that foreign residents must respect
"La France m'a accueilli sur son sol. Dans le cadre de ma demande de délivrance ou de renouvellement d'un document de séjour, je m'engage solennellement à respecter les principes de la République française définis ci-après. (France has welcomed me onto its soil. As part of my application for the issue or renewal of a residence permit, I solemnly undertake to respect the principles of the French Republic as defined below.)
Je m'engage à respecter la liberté personnelle, la liberté d'expression et de conscience, l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes, la dignité de la personne humaine, la devise et les symboles de la République au sens de l'article 2 de la Constitution, l'intégrité territoriale, définie par les frontières nationales, et à ne pas me prévaloir de mes croyances ou de mes convictions pour m'affranchir des règles communes régissant les relations entre les services publics et les particuliers. (I promise to respect personal freedom, freedom of expression and conscience, equality between men and women, the dignity of the human person, the motto and symbols of the Republic within the meaning of Article 2 of the Constitution, the integrity of French borders, and not to use my beliefs or convictions as an excuse to disregard the common rules governing relations between public services and private individuals.)
The text goes on to say that the applicant acknowledges that refusal to sign will result in the card application being denied, and that a residency card can be withdrawn - and the person expelled from France - if they undertake "deliberate actions that seriously undermine one of these principles, committed in a public or private setting, and constituting a disturbance to public order".
Afterwards, there are seven 'engagements' that the person signing the contract would agree to, including things like promising to not discriminate based on sex, to respect people equally regardless of their sexual orientation, as well as to respect symbols including the national anthem and the flag.
You can see the full version below:
What about language tests for foreigners?
The law also includes clauses on new language test requirements or integration courses for foreigners in France.
However these parts were not among the sections published on Tuesday.
As things stand, these changes are set to come into force some time before January 2026, but the exact date is yet to be specified.
READ MORE: Your questions answered: New French language requirements for foreigners
Emma Pearson
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