French Administration & Bureaucracy
Step-by-step guides to handling French bureaucracy—official paperwork, government offices, administrative processes, and tips for navigating France’s complex system.
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TCF IRN: The French Language Test You Need for Your Visa
My experience taking the TCF for my carte de résident application at the préfecture. Taking about where I went for the test, how much it cost, how the test went and my results.
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How I Applied for My French 10-Year Residency Card
It's time for the renewal of my residency permit and I'll be asking for the 10-year residency card. Here's what that process looks like, through the Hauts-de-Seine préfecture.
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What is a Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine?
Now that you've validated your visa, what's next? You'll receive a convocation to an appointment to sign a CIR, contrat d'intégration républicaine. What's this? Read on to find out more!
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Filing French Taxes as an American living in France
What you need to know as an American expat filing French taxes for the first time. Thresholds, processes, and required forms.
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The État des Lieux in France: What It Means and What to Expect
When you've found your French apartment, before you sign on the dotted line, you'll need to do an inventory of the unit. This is called the état des lieux. This is a process that is done at the beginning of…
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French Visa and Residency Terms Explained
Visa? Titre de séjour? Carte de séjour? Récéipissé? A little lost? Here's everything you need to know about French visa terminology. Because I needed to look these terms so now you don't have to!
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Your French Tax ID Number (Numéro Fiscal): What It Is and How to Get It
What is a numéro fiscal (SPI number) in France, why you need one, and how to get yours, whether you're a resident, expat, or non-resident with French income.
