Immigration law in France

French immigration law is often called droit des étrangers. It separates permission to enter France from permission to remain, work, join family, receive protection, or become French. Nationality is the first major distinction. Citizens covered by European free-movement rules generally have broader entry and residence rights, while many other nationals need a visa or residence document tied to a stated purpose. A visa normally concerns entry and the initial authorized stay. A titre de séjour or carte de séjour is a residence document for a person whose situation requires one after arrival. Common residence grounds include employment, study, family life, business activity, and humanitarian protection. Each ground requires evidence showing that the person truly fits that category. Permission to live in France does not always carry unrestricted permission to work. The wording and category of the document must be checked before employment or self-employment begins. Applications and renewals usually require identity documents, proof of address, civil-status records, photographs, and evidence for the chosen ground. Depending on the procedure, contact may be digital or through the préfecture and other designated authorities. Asylum, or asile, is for people seeking protection from persecution or serious harm. It is different from ordinary labor, study, or family migration and has its own institutions and review process. Long residence can sometimes lead to stronger residence status or an application for French nationality, but neither is automatic. Refusal, non-renewal, and removal decisions can have serious consequences and may require prompt specialist help.