France Rights - the website of British in Europe (France)
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      • Heath care under the Withdrawal Agreement
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    • The application process
    • More than 5 years with CdS permanent
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    • Less than 5 years and work in another country
    • Less than 5 years and a student in France
    • Less than 5 years and retired or otherwise inactive

What to do if you haven't 
​received your permit.

​Most people, fortunately, have now received their WA residence permits. However, we're aware that certain préfectures are still struggling to get all applications processed and that there are still some people who have applied for their permits but are still waiting to receive them.  If you're one of these we strongly suggest that you take some action now rather than waiting quietly. Here are some suggestions.

  • Email, phone, write to or visit your préfecture to let them know that you are still waiting. This will put on record the fact that you have not received your permit and are concerned about it. If you're writing make sure you send a registered letter (LRAR).

  • If you're still waiting for a préfecture appointment for biometrics, do this as well. Make sure you check your spam folders as some convocation emails have been known to go there. And if you get a date and time to attend your préfecture you do have to move heaven and earth to get there - your biometrics appointment is not optional - it is in fact a summons. If you don't attend your application may be set aside, leaving you without residence rights.

  • Contact the Ministry of the Interior's Brexit team on this email address: contact-demandeenligne-brexit-dgef@interieur.gouv.fr and give details of your application, your application number (from your original email) and your préfecture. You can also use the Ministry's contact form, which you can find here: www.interieur.gouv.fr/Contact/Ecrire-au-ministre-de-l-Interieur. 
    ​ 
  • ​Contact the British Embassy in Paris to let them know your circumstances. You can do this here: https://www.contact-embassy.service.gov.uk/?country=France&post=British%20Embassy%20Paris%20. The Embassy will not, unfortunately, get involved in individual cases but may pass information that you provide back to the French authorities. In an emergency situation only (for example, if you are at imminent risk of deportation) contact Consular Services directly - see this page for details: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-paris. 

  • Consider contacting the Défenseur des Droits (Ombudsman) - find out more here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F13158.
​

Make sure your application has not been 'classé sans suite'

  • An application may, in certain circumstances, be 'classé sans suite' - closed without a formal decision having been taken.

  • This can happen if, for example, you have been asked for more information to support your application and have not provided it, or you have missed a convocation appointment.

  • You may receive a letter or email from your préfecture telling you that your application has been classé sans suite - or you may just encounter radio silence. 

  • When an application has been classé sans suite it has not been formally refused and you do not therefore have a right to appeal. If you discover that your application has been closed in this way, you'll need to persuade your préfecture to reopen it and show good reason why you did not respond to their request(s). This may be an appropriate situation to involve the Défenseur des Droits ( see above).
France Rights has now ceased its active work and this website remains open for information only.
The information provided on this website is for personal use only and may not be used for commercial purposes.
We are experienced in citizens' rights but are not lawyers and do not give personal, legal or immigration advice, not can we advise on any legal matters relating to your rights.
The information in this website is for general guidance on your rights and responsibilities and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice on what action to take, please consult an avocat.
Please note that France Rights ceased its activities with effect from January 2022 and while the website will remain open until the middle of 2022 for information purposes, it will not be updated.​
​

© COPYRIGHT Kalba Meadows, France Rights 2019-22. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • WA residence permits overview
    • Haven't received your permit
    • Applying now for a permit
    • Difficulties and refusals
    • Dual UK and French nationals
  • Withdrawal Agreement
    • Residence rights and procedures under the Withdrawal Agreement
    • Health, pensions and social security
    • Working rights, professional qualifications and family reunion
    • What's not included in the Withdrawal Agreement
    • Withdrawal Agreement FAQ
    • Easy reading guides to the Guidance Note
  • Other France info
    • Moving to France from January 2021
    • The health care system >
      • Heath care under the Withdrawal Agreement
    • French citizenship
    • Change of name
  • Archive
    • The application process
    • More than 5 years with CdS permanent
    • More than 5 years without CdS permanent
    • Less than 5 years and employed
    • Less than 5 years and self employed
    • Less than 5 years and a jobseeker
    • Less than 5 years and work in another country
    • Less than 5 years and a student in France
    • Less than 5 years and retired or otherwise inactive