French Government given six months to fix residency card delays
France’s highest administrative court has given the government six months to address ongoing problems with online residence permit applications.
France's highest administrative court has ordered the government to address ongoing problems with residence permit applications within six months, in a ruling welcomed by campaign groups supporting foreign residents.
Listen to this article
The Conseil d'État highlighted technical failures on the Anef online platform, which is used for many residency procedures, and said the state must ensure applicants can complete their applications properly and access support when difficulties arise.
Rights group La Cimade says the decision could help tackle long delays in permit renewals, which have left some foreign residents unable to prove their legal status, work rights or eligibility for public services.
The government has also been instructed to strengthen staffing levels in prefecture residency departments as part of wider efforts to speed up the system.